Achievement of the Course Outcomes in Nursing
During the last eight weeks, I got a good chance to develop my skills and knowledge in the role of a nurse practitioner in the field of Advanced Pharmacology. As a nurse practitioner, every student has to deal with certain communication modalities and identify their values in Advanced Pharmacology. I was involved in different nursing practice interventions, diagnostic techniques, and pharmacologic therapies which are crucial for patients’ care.
Many research articles and forums where people share their personal experiences and perceptions of pharmacological practice were used to investigate the pharmacological effects of different drugs under particular situations. For example, the combination of NSAIDs like Ibuprofen and acetaminophen is defined as effective to reduce the level of pain (Rasubala, Pernapati, Velasquez, Burk, & Ren, 2015).
Clinical-patient communication is a crucial aspect even in Advanced Pharmacology because it helps to gather enough information and educate patients and their families on how to use drugs and follow the prescriptions given. (Pun, Matthiessen, Murray, & Slade, 2015). The case studies and the situations observed during the course promote an understanding of pharmacology and its importance in treating people with different symptoms and past histories.
The chosen course has a certain impact on me as it helped to comprehend the essence of MSN Essential IX and clarify the peculiar features of nursing interventions that could influence healthcare outcomes for individuals and systems. The experience shows that nursing practice may have different forms and is characterized by numerous interventions with direct and indirect care components. It is not enough for a nurse to have theoretical knowledge and rely on theories and materials offered during an educational process. It is important to understand how to use the offered material and integrate knowledge into practice.
Now, I know a lot about the indications of different medications and the essential mechanism of action when drugs have to be prescribed. Therefore, I can treat patients and provide them with safe and high-quality care and support (for example, a patient has to be observed during the next hour after taking each dose of new drugs). Nurses should also know that some NSAIDs cannot be offered to people with kidney problems to avoid further complications.
Technology and information literacy competencies play an important role in pharmacological nursing practice. It is necessary to integrate appropriate technologies, consider the needs of patients and the abilities of the medical staff, investigate available resources, and assess educational needs in a short period to improve health care and promote safe and high-quality care. As a nurse practitioner, I was able to use different technology systems that could capture data in regards to the needs established.
Nurses have to learn as much information on drug interactions and reactions as possible to explain possible changes and outcomes to patients. The selection of pharmacological agents for patient care has to be properly developed to help patients solve their health problems and concerns. Lab values and drug algorithms are also important in nursing care. This course helps me identify the importance of a nurse in pharmacology and the necessity to study all drugs and all possible reactions of patients on the chosen drugs. Still, it is not enough for nurses to know what to do. It is also necessary to know how to educate patients and help ordinary people comprehend the basics of pharmacology.
References
Pun, J. K., Matthiessen, C. M., Murray, K. A., & Slade, D. (2015). Factors affecting communication in emergency departments: Doctors and nurses’ perceptions of communication in a trilingual ED in Hong Kong. International Journal of Emergency Medicine, 8(1), 48. Web.
Rasubala, L., Pernapati, L., Velasquez, X., Burk, J., & Ren, Y. F. (2015). Impact of a mandatory prescription drug monitoring program on prescription of opioid analgesics by dentists. PloS One, 10(8). Web.