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
02/19/2026	Columbine West FC	5:45am	5:00pm	11.25
02/19/2026	Columbine West FC	5:45am	5:00pm	11.25
TOTAL HOURS __45____ / 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 last clinical day was very impactful because I was able to take a more active role in patient care. One of the most meaningful parts of the day was administering an injection and applying two ointments to a patient. These experiences helped me strengthen my clinical skills, increase my confidence, and gain a better understanding of how to safely apply my knowledge in a real patient-care environment.I also completed my assignment on a patient with Alzheimer’s disease, which was very meaningful to me. Her story was impactful and allowed me to reflect on the importance of dignity, compassion, and end-of-life care in nursing practice. Overall, these four days in the rehab setting helped me better understand patient care. I know there is still so much for me to learn, but this experience made me feel excited and motivated to keep growing and improving as a future nurse.

Opportunities for improvement:

During this experience, I was able to complete my assessment more independently, which helped me feel less nervous and more confident in my skills. I believe that with continued practice, I will keep improving and become more comfortable performing assessments on my own. I especially appreciated this assessment because it was more challenging than my previous ones. The patient had Alzheimer’s disease, so I had to communicate clearly, speak gently, and be very patient throughout the interaction. This experience helped me understand the importance of adapting my communication style to meet each patient’s needs.

One of my long-term goals is to improve my ability to pronounce medication names correctly and to speak more slowly and clearly so my patients can better understand me. I recognize that clear communication is essential for patient safety, trust, and effective care, and this is an important area for my continued growth as a future nurse.

Take-away:

I have clinicals again next month, and before then I plan to strengthen my nursing knowledge and confidence by reviewing assessment terminology, particularly how to accurately describe pulse quality and lung sounds. I will also continue practicing medication pronunciation and reviewing commonly used medications so I can feel more prepared, confident, and safe when administering medications or completing graded clinical skills.