Desired Clinical Skills for Students to Achieve

Confident (Can complete independently)

Mostly confident (Can complete with supervision)

Beginning (Have performed with supervision or needs supervision to feel confident)

New (Have never performed or does not apply)

Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation skills in: 

Recognizing clinical signs and symptoms of psychiatric illness across the lifespan

✓

Differentiating between pathophysiological and psychopathological conditions 

✓

Performing and interpreting a comprehensive and/or interval history and physical examination (including laboratory and diagnostic studies) 

✓

Performing and interpreting a mental status examination 

✓

Performing and interpreting a psychosocial assessment and family psychiatric history 

✓

Performing and interpreting a functional assessment (activities of daily living, occupational, social, leisure, educational).

✓

Diagnostic reasoning skill in:

Developing and prioritizing a differential diagnoses list

✓

Formulating diagnoses according to DSM 5-TR based on assessment data 

✓

Differentiating between normal/abnormal age-related physiological and psychological symptoms/changes

✓

Pharmacotherapeutic skills in:

Selecting appropriate evidence based clinical practice guidelines for medication plan (e.g., risk/benefit, patient preference, developmental considerations, financial, the process of informed consent, symptom management) 

✓

Evaluating patient response and modify plan as necessary 

✓

Documenting (e.g., adverse reaction, the patient response, changes to the plan of care)

✓

Psychotherapeutic Treatment Planning:

Recognizes concepts of therapeutic modalities across the lifespan

✓

Selecting appropriate evidence based clinical practice guidelines for psychotherapeutic plan (e.g., risk/benefit, patient preference, developmental considerations, financial, the process of informed consent, symptom management, modality appropriate for situation) 

✓

Applies age appropriate psychotherapeutic counseling techniques with individuals and/or any caregivers

✓

Develop an age appropriate individualized plan of care

✓

Provide psychoeducation to individuals and/or any caregivers

✓

Promote health and disease prevention techniques

✓

Self-assessment skill:

Develop SMART goals for practicum experiences 

✓

Evaluating outcomes of practicum goals and modify plan as necessary 

✓

Documenting and reflecting on learning experiences

✓

Professional skills:

Maintains professional boundaries and therapeutic relationship with clients and staff

✓

Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to improve clinical practice in mental health settings 

✓

Identifies ethical and legal dilemmas with possible resolutions

✓

Demonstrates non-judgmental practice approach and empathy

✓

Practices within scope of practice

✓

Selecting and implementing appropriate screening instrument(s), interpreting results, and making recommendations and referrals:

Demonstrates selecting the correct screening instrument appropriate for the clinical situation 

✓

Implements the screening instrument efficiently and effectively with the clients

✓

Interprets results for screening instruments accurately

✓

Develops an appropriate plan of care based upon screening instruments response

✓

Identifies the need to refer to another specialty provider when applicable

✓

Accurately documents recommendations for psychiatric consultations when applicable

✓

The assessment form revealed areas that I can confidently consider as my strengths. I consider the skills that I can execute independently and confidently as some of the strengths that I have gained throughout the learning period. I am pleased to note that I can recognize clinical signs and symptoms of psychiatric illness across the lifespan devoid of any form of assistance or supervision. I have been able to advance this skill through practice and reading regularly on the various symptoms. I a m also good at performing and interpreting functional assessment. I can execute this skill without any supervision or assistance. I have been able to perfect this skill through regular practice and reading. This is a skill that requires proper observation. I have always been observant of the situations and the people around me. Sometimes, I observe family members, friends, or relatives to help them understand how their daily lives influence their health. This habit has also helped me to perfect on my abilities to identify and differentiate symptoms. I can confidently and without any supervision select the right evidence-based clinical practice guidelines and psychotherapeutic plans. The other thing that I like about my progress is that I can develop goals that are achievable within a realistic time frame for my practicum experience. I have gained knowledge that I can put into use to help my clients with disease prevention techniques and promotion of good health. In terms of professional skills, I have mastered how to create and maintain professional relationship and boundaries. I have perfected my communication skills which are necessary for collaboration and working multidisciplinary teams.

There are numerous opportunities for growth that I consider valuable for my career as a psychiatric nurse. Mentorship opportunities that come when I work with my supervisors. For instance, I rely on supervision to differentiate between pathophysical and psychological conditions, performing mental stats examination, formulating diagnoses as required by DSM 5, and selecting appropriate evidence-based practice. I consider feedback from my supervisors as another critical opportunity for growth. Leadership development opportunities and programs that are present both at school and in the workplace are also vital opportunities for growth. Regular training and practice in the field also provides the opportunity to advance both clinical and communication skills. I interact with other professionals in my field of study, and this has helped me to understand the changes or events that take place in the field.

1. Goal: Improve on patient screening and evaluation

a. Objective: To understand patient symptoms

b. Objective: To perform proper patient assessment

c. Objective: To evaluate patients adequately during treatment

2. Goal: Improve on patient counseling

a. Objective: To administer the best counseling skills

b. Objective: To use most appropriate interview techniques

c. Objective: To build a good rapport with patients during counseling

3. Goal: Improve on leadership capabilities and strengths

a. Objective: To work collaboratively with multidisciplinary professionals

b. Objective: To improve on my collaborative skills

c. Objective: To build good communication and relationship skills

4. Goal: Execute my duties with ethical and professional standards

a. Objective: To observe organizational and professional ethical guidelines

b. Objective: To compile with rules and regulations in the field

c. Objective: To observe the best practices when handling patients