Journaling is a tool to assist you to develop critical thinking skills which, in turn, will help you develop appropriate clinical judgments in your nursing practice. Numerous journal entries dealing with your experiences in the clinical setting are required throughout the program. This assignment will give you a “taste” of what to expect in future courses! Know that it will only be as useful as you make it for yourself.

Directions:

Choose one of the statements listed below to complete the journal entry.
250-300 words (roughly one page, typed, double-spaced, correct grammar, spelling and punctuation).
You will need at least 3 paragraphs to complete this assignment and show evidence of analysis (this is a “thinking out loud” process that deals with motives and interpretation).
Discuss how you may use this self-reflection in your future nursing practice.
Describe how you will apply a concept from the Compassionate Care Model as a nursing student or in your future nursing practice.
The last paragraph should include your thoughts/feelings about writing this journal entry.
Ideas should be organized and clearly communicated

Elect one of the following statements to complete a journal entry.

My expectations of nursing are……
I will be able to apply what I am learning by………..
I will apply what I am learning….
Since I began school my life has changed……
When I look ahead……
When I look ahead to future theory, lab or clinical courses I feel……
To demonstrate compassionate care for myself and my patients, I plan to…
When I finish nursing school, I want to………… (nursing field: trauma unit)