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: : Ilse Hinojosa

Faculty Name: Ixah Gonzalez Gallegos

DATE OF DFC	SOFE SITE	START TIME	END TIME	TOTAL TIME (hour)
03/09/2026	Amberwood Post Acute	05:45am	17:00pm	11.25
03/10/2026	Amberwood Post Acute	05:45am	17:00pm	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

Day six for PN126 was a very different experience during my clinical rotation. We were able to attend a meeting that focused on psychiatric medications and patient management. This was very interesting to me because it made me think more deeply about the medications being used, their side effects, and what could potentially go wrong or right with treatment.

I appreciated seeing how nurse practitioners, psychiatric doctors, and other healthcare providers collaborated and discussed patient care together. It showed me how important interprofessional teamwork is when making decisions about psychiatric medications and treatment plans.

I was also able to ask a question during the discussion, which made the experience even more meaningful. I believe this opportunity will help me greatly as I continue learning in my pharmacology course, especially when studying psychotropic medications.

Opportunities for Improvement

One opportunity for improvement is continuing to emphasize proper PPE and hand hygiene, especially when passing medications or administering injections. Infection control is essential for patient safety and should always be a priority in clinical practice.

I also believe that increased communication between nurses and students would be helpful. When nurses involve students more in patient care, it allows us to practice physical assessments, patient interactions, and clinical skills that we may not have experienced before. I would appreciate more opportunities to participate and learn directly from the nurses caring for patients.

Takeaway

During this clinical day, I met two patients with similar situations. Both patients had overdosed on cocaine and fentanyl. However, their outcomes were very different. One patient was assessed earlier and was in a vegetative state, while the second patient was still able to communicate through gestures, eye contact, and occasional laughter.

This experience made me reflect deeply on life, health, and the impact of timely care. It reminded me that as nurses, we play an important role in helping patients feel comfortable, respected, and valued during difficult moments in their lives.

Because of this experience, my personal goal is to volunteer more nd observe patients whenever possibl e. Even observing allows me to learn about patients’ stories, medical histories , medications, and experiences, which are all essential in providing holistic care. Every patient and every person deserves compassionate and high-quality treatment.