FINAL CLINICAL REFLECTION

NIGHTINGALE COLLEGE

DFC Integration: Clinical Log

Purpose: accountability check and self-report

of time spent in a DFC at a SOFE site.

Learner Name: llse Hinojosa

Faculty Name: Shelly Sparks

DATE OF DFC	SOFE SITE	START TIME	END TIME	TOTAL TIME (hour)
02/17/2026	Columbine West FC	5:45am	5:00pm	11.25
02/18/2026	Columbine West FC	5:45am	5:00pm	11.25
TOTAL HOURS ______ / 67.5

Instructions: Download this tracking log and add the DFC hours/time as a running list. Submit the Clinical Log, in Canvas, within 24 hours of the end of each DFC.

· Clinical hours may include time spent in the DFC at the SOFE site.

· Clinical hours do not include time spent in preparation, reflection, journaling, or meeting with faculty.

What went well

My second clinical experience was very meaningful because it allowed me to be actively involved in patient care. One of the most rewarding moments was performing my patient assessment. I was able to build rapport with her, and despite not feeling well, she was kind, cooperative, and willing to participate in the assessment. She allowed me to assess her lungs and skin, which helped me build confidence in my physical assessment skills.

I also had the opportunity to administer medications, which was an important learning experience. I made sure to research each medication beforehand, and this preparation helped reinforce my understanding and made the information easier to remember for future exams.

Overall, this clinical experience strengthened my confidence, improved my hands-on skills, and deepened my understanding of patient-centered care. It also motivated me to continue preparing thoroughly so I can provide safe and effective nursing care.

Opportunities for improvement:

While performing my patient assessment, I felt nervous and had difficulty remembering the correct terminology for describing a typical pulse. I kept wanting to say “normal,” but my professor guided me to use the appropriate clinical wording. This experience showed me that I still need to strengthen my confidence and fluency with medical terminology.

I would like to improve my ability to accurately identify lung sounds, pronounce medication names correctly, and speak more slowly and clearly so my patients can better understand me. Clear communication is essential for patient safety and trust, and I recognize that this is an important area for my growth.

I believe that with continued practice, studying terminology, and gaining more hands-on clinical experience, I will become more confident and effective in both my assessment skills and communication with patients.

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Take-away:

Prior to my next clinical shift, I plan to continue strengthening my nursing knowledge and confidence by reviewing assessment terminology, especially how to correctly describe pulse quality and lung sounds. I will also practice medication pronunciation and review common medications so I feel more prepared and safe when administering them.

In addition, I plan to rehearse my assessment steps and focus on speaking more slowly and clearly to improve communication with my patients. By studying consistently, practicing my skills, and asking questions whenever I am unsure, I hope to feel more confident, organized, and effective in providing safe, patient-centered care during my next clinical experience

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