Clinical Experience Paper

For my clinical experience today I shadowed an RN, at the Ashe County Health Department. The RN was participating in the flu clinic today. She administered many flu vaccinations. Most of the individuals that came in today for the clinic were over the age of 65 and were given the high dose flu vaccination. The RN also worked with a Spanish interpreter during several visits throughout the day. She would first assess a Spanish speaking individual’s ability to speak English, then if deemed necessary she would call for the interpreter. The nurse made sure to always direct her questions, and maintain eye contact with the patient. She wanted them to feel included, and really engage them through therapeutic communication, even though she did not speak
Researchers studied and described public health nursing practice in local health departments in Connecticut. They found that there was a wide diversity in program responsibility. While the health departments studied had the same primary goals, health promotion and disease prevention, there was variable local health care delivery patterns which in turn caused a disparity in care received at different locations. In addition, the researchers identified several factors that influenced service delivery such as the aging population, growing population of handicapped persons, an increasing number of children attending daycare and the mainstreaming of special education students. Today I could see the primary goals of health promotion and disease prevention, being used in practice to better the community. The nurse educated each patient that came in, whether it be on lifestyle changes, eating habits, or needed immunizations. Furthermore, the majority of the population seen today were the elderly. It is becoming evident that more of our population is aging due to increased fertility and decreased mortality rates. The nurses at the health department made sure to modify their teaching to fit the age of the population. For example, the nurses recommended the high dose flu vaccination to those over 65. I would like to revisit this article and see how the health