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Alcoholics Anonymous,
Narcotics Anonymous
February 15, 2018
Honolulu, Hawaii

In my Psychiatric Mental Health rotation, I was given the opportunity to learn and experience the concepts of mental health in the community where I attended two 12 step meetings, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Attending these meetings helped me to learn more about individuals in altered mental health states, their addictions, coping mechanisms, and their recovery.

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February 14, 2018
Waipahu, Hawaii

A group of my classmates and I volunteered at the Waipahu Aloha Clubhouse, a psychiatric rehabilitation program for adults living with serious metal illness. We taught individuals about hypertension and ways to promote health through diet and exercise.
At this facility, members are offered opportunities to achieve and regain the skills and confidence to lead productive lives in the community.

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Kahi Mohala Behavioral Health
Spring 2018
Psychiatric Mental Health
Clinical hours: 40 hours
In Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, I learned concepts to promote health and care for individuals, from children to adults, with alterations in mental health.

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Tripler Army Medical Center

Fall 2017
Pediatrics
Clinical hours: 135 hours

In Pediatric Nursing, I was introduced to concepts including growth and development and health promotion in children, and learned the knowledge and skills to care for children from infancy through the late teen years and their families.

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Kuakini Medical Center
Fall 2016
Fundamentals
​Hale Pulama Mau; ICF 4.
Clinical hours: 84 hours
In Nursing Fundamentals, I learned about growth and development and health promotion throughout the lifespan. Specifically, I learned about the elderly and their chronic health problems, and how to care for them in a long-term care facility.

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The Queen's Medical Center
Spring 2017
Medical Surgical I
Ewa and Diamond Head; 8th floor.
Clinical hours: 104 hours.
In Medical Surgical Nursing, I was introduced to adult health, where I learned about acute and chronic health problems and how to provide nursing care to adults in an acute medical care facility.

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The Queen's Medical Center
Fall 2017
Obstetrics
Labor & Delivery, Postpartum; 10th Floor.
Clinical hours: 135 hours
In the field of obstetrics, I learned how to care for women and fetus during pregnancy, labor and childbirth, as well as women with health issues relating to their reproductive system.

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Lifelong learning involves the ongoing process of seeking and appreciating new ideas to gain new perspectives. While doing so, we question one’s environment, knowledge, skills and interactions. A lifelong learner uses reflection and questioning, and enjoys and engages in learning by actively seeking learning opportunities. Through lifelong learning, it is important to keep the mind active as we translate the knowledge that we learn into the capacity to deliver quality nursing care.

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The Kapiolani Community College Associate in Nursing Degree Program have set purposes and outcomes for the nursing students of the program. The student learning outcomes provide a way to measure the success of the students and the nursing program. The curriculum is aimed toward these student learning outcomes and the performance of the students are measured against these outcomes throughout the program. Upon successful completion of the Associate in Nursing Degree Program, the graduate should be able to meet the following student learning outcomes.

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An effective nurse demonstrates clinical judgment in the delivery of safe, cost-effective, and quality care. In providing this care, the nurse utilizes health promotion, disease prevention, and restoration theory in assisting clients to maintain independence.

I demonstrated clinical judgment in the clinical setting when I helped provide comfort to a young woman in her early 20's who was going to be a new mother. She was still experiencing pain on a pain scale of 8-9 but had already just been given several doses of fentanyl to control her pain. Her verbal response to pain, guarding and her posture while sitting on her bed showed she was still in much pain. After discovering that she had not attended any birthing classes, I taught her some breathing exercises to help her alleviate pain. I also provided her my teaching brochure which provides breathing techniques that can be used during labor. Please see the attached teaching project that I have provided for my patient, which explains breathing techniques and ways to alleviate pain during labor and delivery.

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Maternal Fetal Medicine: Updates in Obstetrics
November 8, 2017
Halekulani Hotel

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Member, Fall 2016 - Present

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American Lung Association
November 5, 2016
Magic Island/ Ala Moana Beach Park, Honolulu, Hawaii

I participated in the American Lung Association’s Lung Force Walk. The event helped raise awareness about lung health and lung cancer to the general public as it also helped raise research funding to end lung cancer. I participated by manning a water booth for walkers and runners of the event and helped pass out water to those who participated. Being a part of the event helped me be more aware that while anyone can get lung cancer, there is a growing number of women who are affected by the disease. Learning more about lung health, lung cancer and prevention will allow me to apply this knowledge in my interactions with patients in the clinical setting.

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September 23, 2017
Artistry Honolulu, Honolulu, Hawaii

I assisted with the setup for Egan's Gala, a fundraiser that would help raise funds to help support the HUGS organization and their mission and goals.

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Providing client centered care involves being able to develop therapeutic relationships based on mutuality, respect, cultural sensitivity, caring, mutual trust and advocacy with the client.

I provided client-centered care to a first-time mother, her husband as well as the newborn's grandmother. The newborn's arrhythmia, need for cardiac workups, the worry of new-time parents and their Mexican culture allowed me to be culturally sensitive to the family while providing care. Please see my reflection demonstrating my use of client-centered care in my OB clinical in N320.

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Communication is an integral component in the career of nursing as nurses should be able to communicate professionally, clearly and therapeutically with patients and their family as well as interdisciplinary health care team members to ensure the quality of care for their patients.
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​Establishing the health care professional-client relationship allows the patient and the nurse to work together to develop patient-specific goals and a plan of care for the patient. While communication is vital in the clinical setting, it is important that nurses are also able to communicate through teaching whether it is teaching patient care in the hospital, in the communities or in an academic setting.

I have chosen to include a powerpoint presentation about psoriasis and cellulitis that my classmates and I have presented in our N220 course. This assignment has been helpful in that I have been able to apply the knowledge in a clinical setting during my medical surgical clinical. This powerpoint demonstrates our commitment to teaching, communication,  and education as aspiring registered nurses.

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A competent nurse contributes to the improvement of the health care system through the involvement in interdisciplinary activities and choose from a variety of tools in accessing, interpreting, and providing cost-effective nursing care.

In our N360 course, we have been introduced to a virtual simulation tool that allows nursing students to practice their skills in providing patient care. As this tool has allowed me to experience different case scenarios through VSIM, it has helped me to reflect on my nursing skills and helped me build on my confidence in providing these skills. Please find the virtual simulation tool as it is attached.

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Effective nurses collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to advocate for clients, client systems, and groups in meeting their health care needs.

I was able to practice as a member of a multidisciplinary health care team. I collaborated with nurses, the speech pathologist and parents of a child with RSV/Bronchiolitis and pneumonia to assess the child’s feeding patterns and responses to oral feeding after extubation and stabilization of his airway. Please see my CIS, NCP and reflections attached as it demonstrates my collaboration with the multidisciplinary health care team in assessing problems with oral feeding for a child with RSV/Bronchiolitis.

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The use of leadership skills in implementing and/or delegating the delivery of safe nursing care to clients and client systems is an important trait of a competent nurse.

I demonstrated leadership by being a leader in health promotion within the community. I conducted a teaching project at Alani Preschool where I taught preschoolers about the importance of hand washing and how to perform proper hand washing. Please see attached my teaching project which demonstrates my leadership in promoting health in the community.

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A competent nurse makes clinical decisions and provides care based on evidence supported by research.

Problem: Poor communication of patient care between RNs, and RNs and patients during patient handoff/transition of care, leading to increased errors during care and patients not understanding the type of care they are provided (Sadule-Rios et al., 2017).

Intervention: RNs will provide bedside shift report at the patient’s bedside using a standardized bedside report tool for quality bedside report. This is done in an effort to prevent errors such as medication errors, improve patient safety through adequate communication, decrease unnecessary costs and increase patient and staff satisfaction (Waggoner, 2017).

Comparison: One unit with RNs provide bedside shift report in patient’s room using standardized bedside report tool. One unit with RNs utilizes the traditional methods of shift reporting where shift report takes place at the nurses’ stations or outside of patient’s room or in the hallways.

Outcome: Unit with RNs who provided bedside shift report using standardized bedside report tool resulted in effective communication at shift change as evidenced by improved patient outcomes and patient safety, increased patient understanding of his/her care, no medication errors and improved patient and staff satisfaction.

References

Sadule-Rios, N., Lakey, K., Serrano, M., Uy, E., Gomez, J., Bezner, P., Acosta, J. (2017). Off to a good start: Bedside report. MEDSURG Nursing, 26(5), 343-345.

Waggoner, A. (2017). Improving the quality of bedside shift report behavior: Implementing a standardized bedside report tool on the medical-surgical floor at Woodland Healthcare (Master's projects and capstones). Retrieved from https://repository.usfca.edu/capstone/602

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Reflection and evaluation of one's professional and personal life are important attributes of a competent nurse. Through reflection and self-analysis, a competent nurse has self-awareness and engages in ongoing reflection to improve his or her nursing practice.

I have chosen a reflection that I wrote about a conference in OB that I attended. This conference has helped me to reflect on my knowledge in OB and how I may apply the knowledge gained from the conference in my OB clinicals.

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Ethics involves the evaluation of nursing care based on Hawaii legal and ethical frameworks and the American Nurses Association.

I demonstrated good ethical standards in my medical surgical nursing rotation by respecting my patient's autonomy in regards to how he receives his medications. He has refused to take his morning dose of heparin, and while respecting patient autonomy, the medication was not given. The patient was then educated about the medication and the effects that could occur if the medication is not administered. Please see my CIS, NCP and weekly self-evaluation attached which demonstrates my use of ethics in ensuring that patient-centered care is provided while respecting patient's autonomy.

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November 1, 2017
Prince Waikiki Hotel

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October 14, 2017
Seagull Schools, Kapolei, Hawaii

I volunteered at a respite for the children of HUGS. My volunteering included being paired with a Little Buddy, and caring and spending the evening with my buddy. This allows children opportunities for play while allowing parents and caregivers some time for themselves, as this can help relieve stress that can often become overwhelming when dealing with a child who is seriously ill.

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Heart Saver, BLS, Expire 2018

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Straub Medical Center

Spring 2018
Medical Surgical II
Clinical hours: 130 hours

In Medical Surgical Nursing, I am introduced to adult health, and am learning how to provide nursing care to adults who are acutely ill with a variety of medical issues or are recovering from surgery.

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My current professional goal is to obtain an Associate in Science degree in Nursing at Kapiolani Community College. Upon completion of my associate's degree, I plan to attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. During Medical Surgical I Nursing, I have learned a lot about adult medicine including the prevalence of certain diseases among specific populations and have become aware of factors in their lives that affect their healing and overall well-being . With my past experiences in rural clinics and working with the homeless, I have envisioned myself working with the socioeconomically underserved populations. However, I am looking forward to the semesters ahead and the many opportunities to explore other specialties.

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The philosophy of nursing embodies the core values of integrity, knowledge, caring, leadership, respect and selfless service. The career of nursing holds the responsibility to provide safe, holistic, patient-centered care to the public. Professional nurses are advocates for the patient and family. In the nurse-patient relationship, the nurse and patient is able to work together to develop goals and a plan of care that focuses on the patient's healing and personal well-being. As patient advocates, we should empower patients to become active partners in their own plan of care. While the need of the patient may be communicated, it ensures the delivery of individualized, quality nursing care that respects the needs and values of the patient. In addition, nurses have the obligation to protect and maintain patient confidentiality. The nursing profession also strives on education, teaching, and promotes lifelong learning. Nurses educate patients about their plan of care. They may also educate the general public about disease prevention at a health fair, or become nursing educators in academia. Ultimately, professional nurses are leaders and educators in health care and in the community as they continue to strive to provide quality care, one that promotes healing and improves our personal well-being.

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Hi, my name is Sharon Agacid, and Welcome to my ePortfolio page. I am a Kapiolani Community College nursing student. This page will give me an opportunity to provide insight to my academic development and my journey throughout nursing school. My career interests have always been in the health field. As a non-traditional student, my previous background was in the biological sciences and diabetes research. My interests in entering the nursing profession stems from my experiences in the clinical setting. My first exposure working with patients was at a local clinic on Oahu where I shadowed a pediatrician. Currently, my work as a phlebotomist has influenced me to become a nurse. I have drawn patients for a local clinic and have collaborated with nurses in the care for these patients. It is the compassionate, patient-centered care that nurses provide that has inspired me to pursue a career in nursing. As an aspiring registered nurse, my ultimate goal is to give back to the community as well as to fulfill my hopes and dreams of a lifelong career as a healthcare professional for our local communities.