Self-Assessment+-+Developing+Sound+Clinical+Judgment

Self Assessment - Developing Sound Clinical Judgment 

In the field of geriatrics this writer believes she has developed sound clinical judgment over the past 15 years. To writer, it is important for the patient to be treated holistically. Writer makes it a point to know expected outcomes, normal findings, signs and symptoms of various illnesses and diseases and to be prepared for variant results. An assessment is always performed (however brief dependent on the urgency of the situation), before action is taken. There are times even in long term care when a nurse must think quick on his/her feet. Writer has proven herself to be reliable under pressure. Writer's focus begins and ends with the patient's desired outcome in mind. Writer is quick to look up new terms to make them familiar, is not hesitant to request help if needed, and enjoys learning from others who bring different perspectives to the table. If writer were to rate herself clinically from 1 to 10 (with 1 being the lowest and 10 the highest), writer would give herself a 9. Writer believes there is always room for improvement.

__A list__  of areas writer needs to work on related to making sound clinical judgments in her given area would have to include the following: 1. to become more familiar with new cutting edge advances in geriatrics, 2. to become more familiar with each patient's history, 3. to attend workshops and inservices which pertain to geriatrics, especially those that relate to the patient's physical functioning and abilities, 4. to keep an open mind and realize that even though writer has been in this field 15 years, writer has not seen everything. 