D226 E-Portfolio Template: Final Project Submission

D226 E-Portfolio Template: Final Project Submission

Student Name

Western Governors University

D226 BSNU Capstone

Prof. Name:

Date

Introduction

A1a. Professional Mission Statement

As a committed wound care nurse, my mission is to deliver outstanding, evidence-based care that encourages healing and enhances patients’ overall quality of life. I strive to combine clinical expertise with patient-centered values to create standardized care procedures, thereby minimizing variability and ensuring each patient receives consistent, effective treatment. With aspirations to transition into a managerial role, I am dedicated to nurturing a cooperative environment that supports ongoing learning and improvement, ultimately improving patient outcomes and satisfaction.

A1b. Mission Statement Reflection

How will reflecting on the professional mission statement guide your nursing career?
Reflecting on my mission statement provides a strong foundation for my nursing practice by emphasizing evidence-based care, personalized patient attention, and leadership growth. Staying informed about the latest research ensures that treatment protocols, especially for complex wounds, are based on the best available evidence, thus optimizing healing and recovery. For example, selecting wound dressings supported by current studies can reduce healing time and complications. Prioritizing patient preferences and cultural values helps build trust and improves satisfaction, which is crucial in holistic care. Furthermore, as I move towards a leadership role, fostering collaboration and advocating for continuous improvement will enable me to implement innovative practices, such as new wound care protocols, thereby enhancing team effectiveness and patient care standards. This mission aligns with my core values, guiding my professional decisions and actions consistently.

Learner & Healthcare Professional

A2a. Which two papers represent you as a learner and healthcare professional?

The two academic papers that best represent my growth as both a learner and healthcare professional are the D226 Task 1 paper and the D221 Performance Assessment. These assignments significantly enhanced my research abilities and deepened my understanding of evidence-based practice (EBP) research necessary for initiating change in clinical settings. They taught me how to conduct focused literature searches and utilize reputable databases for sourcing EBP articles, which is critical when proposing practice changes. Moreover, these papers reflect my strengths in detail-oriented problem-solving by showcasing thorough assessments and well-constructed solutions that consider potential obstacles and benefits.

Professional Strengths

A2b. Discuss how specific artifacts in your portfolio represent your professional strengths.

My professional strengths include leadership, effective communication, critical thinking, and teamwork. Two papers that highlight these strengths are:

These papers showcase my capacity to systematically identify issues, collect and analyze data, and develop comprehensive solutions while engaging stakeholders in the change process.

Challenges

A2c. What challenges did you encounter during the BSN program?

During my BSN program, I faced significant challenges balancing my chronic illnesses and learning disabilities with the demands of coursework. My chronic conditions caused fatigue, malaise, and migraines, which interfered with my ability to meet deadlines consistently. Additionally, the medications prescribed exacerbated my learning disabilities, but due to a lack of formal diagnosis or documentation, obtaining academic accommodations was difficult. This led me to independently seek alternative strategies to support my learning and successfully complete assessments.

A2ci. How did you overcome these challenges?

I overcame these difficulties with the help of a strong support system. Finding a low-stress outpatient job aligned with my academic schedule reduced stress and helped manage my health. My spouse provided invaluable emotional support, lessening my mental load. I also advocated for myself medically, working with a physician to adjust my medication regimen, which alleviated cognitive side effects. Furthermore, my coworkers helped me identify distraction-free testing environments, and my program coordinator provided guidance in navigating accommodation processes within the university, which facilitated my academic success.

Professional Growth

A2d. How did the BSN program contribute to your professional growth?

The BSN program significantly advanced my role as an outpatient wound care case manager and inspired me to take on precepting responsibilities. It cultivated a passion for patient and staff education and sharpened my ability to evaluate workplace practices critically. Collaborating with nurse managers and program directors, I developed innovative care improvement plans tailored to our patient population’s unique needs. The program nurtured a holistic approach to patient care, emphasizing comprehensive care plans and appropriate referrals, and motivated me to think creatively about solutions that address community-level challenges impacting health outcomes.

Ethically Competent Practice

Professional Definition / Competency 8: Ethically Competent Practice

This competency involves shaping a professional identity grounded in accountability, collaboration, and ethical behavior aligned with nursing standards and values.

B1 & B2: How did the Culturally Competent course enhance your practice?

The Culturally Competent course reinforced my commitment to delivering care that respects patients’ cultural backgrounds. I have become more conscious of my biases and actively work to ensure they do not influence patient care. This awareness allows me to advocate effectively for all patients and support colleagues in enhancing their cultural competence. By integrating patients’ cultural beliefs into care plans when appropriate, I contribute to more holistic and respectful healthcare delivery.

Scholarship

Professional Definition / Competency 3: Scholarship

This competency focuses on integrating the best evidence with clinical expertise and patient values to improve care locally and globally.

B1. How did the Evidence-Based Practice and Applied Nursing Research Performance Assessment help your understanding of EBP?

This assignment sharpened my skills in evaluating and applying evidence to justify practice changes. It taught me to critically assess various forms of evidence, consider the applicability of research findings, and use data to advocate for improvements within healthcare institutions. Understanding the blend of professional values and clinical expertise in implementing EBP ensures that interventions are ethical, effective, and tailored to individual patient contexts.

B2. Why is EBP crucial in nursing?

Evidence-Based Practice is essential in nursing as it combines the best current research with clinical judgment and patient preferences to optimize care quality. It supports informed decision-making, enhances patient safety, and reduces practice variability. EBP promotes standardized care protocols and fosters continuous improvement, ultimately leading to higher patient satisfaction and better health outcomes.

Task 1: Evidence-Based Practice and Applied Nursing Research Performance Assessment

Impact of the Problem on the Patient

Long wait times during nurse shift changes increase the risk of falls and sentinel events, with patient needs often overlooked due to ineffective handovers.

Impact of the Problem on the Organization

Organizations incur approximately $1.7 billion annually due to costs related to poor handoff communication, with sentinel events being particularly costly.

Identify the PICO Components

Evidence-Based Practice Question

Does using a standardized nursing handoff communication tool in inpatient areas improve patient safety compared to not using such a tool?

Key Characteristics of a Successful EHR-Supported e-Handoff Tool: A Systematic Review

Background and Introduction

A systematic review of 20 studies examined the effectiveness of electronic health record (EHR)-supported handoff tools, motivated by the high costs and patient harm linked to communication failures during handoffs.

Methodology

Six databases were searched with keywords like “EHR” and “handoff.” Articles included were peer-reviewed, English-language publications from 2009-2019 focusing on EHR handoff tools. Twenty articles met inclusion criteria after screening for relevance and quality. Evidence levels were appraised using Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt’s hierarchy.

Level of Evidence

This review qualifies as Level III evidence, indicating moderate strength supporting the findings.

Data Analysis

Information from each article was organized by author, year, study location, evidence level, purpose, design, sample, setting, and results, facilitating comprehensive synthesis.

Ethical Considerations

No ethical approval was required since the review used publicly available data without human subjects.

Quality Rating

The article demonstrated high quality based on transparency, thoroughness, and meaningful interpretation, aligning with the JHNEBP model’s criteria.

Analysis of Results / Conclusions

Most costs and patient harms stem from communication errors during handoffs. Implementing e-handoff tools significantly reduces these errors. Key features for success include involving end-users in design, providing concise but comprehensive patient information, standardized formats, customizable options, clear data presentation, and mobile access.

Alignment to the EBP Question

The findings support the EBP question by demonstrating that standardized electronic handoff tools improve communication and patient safety.

Clinical Nursing Handovers for Continuity of Safe Patient Care in Adult Surgical Wards: Best Practice Implementation Project

Background and Introduction

Patient safety concerns linked to nursing handovers arise due to loss of critical information and disorganized processes, leading to medication errors and treatment delays. Best practices like standardized handover forms and procedures are needed to ensure safer, more efficient care.

Type and Level of Evidence

This is a quality improvement project, classified as Level V evidence according to the JHNEBP model.

Quality Rating

The project showed high quality with clear aims, systematic audits, consistent results, and actionable recommendations.

Results

Standardized handover protocols decreased medication errors and improved patient safety consistently across three surgical wards.

Author’s Recommendations

Implementing structured handover tools is essential for improving safety, with nurse leaders playing a pivotal role in sustaining these practices.

Recommended Practice Change

Key Characteristics of a Successful EHR-Supported Handoff Tool: A Systematic Review
Online Journal of Nursing Informatics, 25(1).
Wong, X., Tung, Y. J., Peck, S. Y., & Goh, M. L. (2019). Clinical nursing handovers for continuity of safe patient care in adult surgical wards: A best practice implementation project. JBI Database of Systematic Reviews & Implementation Reports, 17(5), 1003–1015. https://doi.org/10.11124/JBISRIR-2017-004024

Informatics and Technology Competency

The learner integrates informatics knowledge and skills to provide safe, high-quality care, adhering to best practices, professional guidelines, and regulatory standards.

• Completing the interactive learning guide allowed me to connect course content with real-life examples, reinforcing my understanding of delivering safe, quality care while identifying missing industry and regulatory standards in my workplace. Successfully passing the objective assessment demonstrated my mastery of the topic.

• My workplace requires better system integration and a patient health portal. If our documentation and clinical systems were integrated, key data—such as active medications, allergies, progress notes, labs, and imaging—could seamlessly flow between systems. A patient portal would enable patients to complete paperwork in advance, monitor wound care updates, view lab results, and access referral information, enhancing engagement and care continuity.

Safety Competency

The learner provides a safe, fiscally responsible, quality care environment for individuals, families, communities, and multidisciplinary teams using established safety science principles.

• Developing a practice improvement plan helped me identify safety concerns, particularly the high fall risk and patient acuity on my unit, and apply evidence-based methods to improve patient and staff safety.

• Implementing the Falls TIPS (Tailoring Interventions for Patient Safety) program has been essential in addressing fall prevention through personalized, evidence-based interventions. This program enables systematic fall risk assessment, individualized prevention plans, and ongoing communication among care teams. It also supports monitoring and analysis of fall incidents for continuous improvement.

Practice Improvement Plan Proposal Using SBAR

Situation:
Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City experiences frequent patient falls, primarily among elderly and confused patients.

Background:
Within three months, three patients—moderately to severely confused—fell, with incidents occurring before staff arrival. The hospital’s fall rate is 0.758, with a safety grade of B (Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, 2023). Current fall prevention relies mainly on bed and chair alarms. Staffing shortages further complicate safety efforts. The average cost of a fall is approximately $62,521 (Dykes et al., 2023). Relevant National Patient Safety Goals include safe alarm use and identifying patient safety risks (Joint Commission, 2024).

Assessment:
Falls extend patient stays and increase injury risks. Confused patients are particularly vulnerable. Staff face increased workload and injury risk when responding to falls without adequate equipment. Organizational costs and safety grades are negatively impacted by frequent falls.

Recommendation:
Adopt the Falls TIPS program, which has demonstrated a 25% reduction in falls and cost savings of $14,600 per 1,000 patients (AHRQ, 2021). This approach involves assessing fall risk, creating personalized prevention plans, and consistent implementation through effective communication and teamwork.
Barriers include potential nurse resistance due to additional documentation and coordination challenges among multidisciplinary teams. Solutions include automating alerts for high-risk patients, involving charge nurses in family communications, and surveying nursing staff to streamline documentation.

Shared Decision-Making:
Falls TIPS promotes collaboration among patients, families, and care teams to develop tailored prevention plans, documented within the electronic health record. Visual cues (signage, wristbands) and patient education materials enhance awareness and adherence.

Outcome Measures:
Track the total number of falls annually. A reduction compared to previous years would indicate program effectiveness.

Care Delivery Model:
The current team nursing model emphasizes patient-centered care but suffers from inconsistent staffing, impacting continuity and safety plan implementation. Improved scheduling and communication are necessary for success.

Leadership and Professional Image Competency

The learner demonstrates leadership by setting priorities to achieve optimal outcomes in person-centered care and population health.

• Reflecting on leadership skills helped me differentiate leadership from management, assess my strengths and gaps, and develop improvement plans.

• Creating SMART goals for patient activities (e.g., brisk walking for circulation, range-of-motion exercises) aids in setting clear, manageable objectives aligned with patient needs, promoting motivation and adherence. Person-centered care remains central, ensuring interventions respect patient preferences and values.

This approach enhances patient satisfaction and promotes better health outcomes by encouraging patients to engage with and adhere to care plans tailored to their personal health goals. Integrating professional values and clinical expertise to customize care according to each patient’s unique needs is vital for delivering high-quality, evidence-based care.

D1. Health Promotion Justification

Recommendation 1: Take a brisk 10–20-minute walk twice daily to improve circulation and sensation in the bilateral lower extremities. The patient’s decreased sensation, delayed capillary refill, and cool temperature in both lower extremities support this recommendation. Starting with brisk walking is an accessible form of cardiovascular exercise shown to increase blood circulation, oxygen intake, and heart rate (Bai et al., 2021). This makes it an effective way to enhance circulation in the lower extremities and improve overall cardiovascular health.

Recommendation 2: Perform recommended shoulder and lower back exercises to increase range of motion (ROM) and reduce soreness. This is supported by the assessed decreased ROM in the shoulders and lower back, along with patient-reported soreness. Research indicates that stretching improves ROM, and strength training also effectively enhances it (Afonso et al., 2021).

D2. SMART Goals

Goal 1: Walk briskly for 10 to 20 minutes twice daily for 2 weeks to improve circulation and sensation in the lower extremities.

• Specific: Describes walking pace, frequency, and duration.

• Measurable: Monitored by improvements in sensation and perfusion assessments.

• Achievable: The goal is simple and time frame reasonable.

• Relevant: Directly related to assessment findings in D1.

• Time-bound: Set for 2 weeks.

Goal 2: Perform 2 back and 2 shoulder exercises, 3 sets of 10 repetitions each, daily for 2 weeks to improve range of motion and soreness.

• Specific: Specifies exercises, repetitions, and target areas.

• Measurable: Measured by improved ROM and patient-reported soreness relief.

• Achievable: Exercises are selected from a list to allow choice; daily practice for 2 weeks is realistic.

• Relevant: Matches assessment findings in D1.

• Time-bound: Set for 2 weeks.

Innovation in Healthcare

Definition / Competency 4 – Innovation: The learner creatively and agilely responds to complex, evolving care environments by applying systems-based, values-driven care across the continuum.

B1: Six courses that enhanced my innovation skills include: Scholarship in Nursing Practice, BSNU Capstone, Healthcare Systems and Policy, Population Health Management, Ethics in Healthcare, and Cultural Competence in Healthcare. These courses taught me to objectively assess community needs without bias, cultivate empathy, and develop ethical, culturally sensitive solutions that address whole patient populations. They emphasized the importance of evidence-based research for proposing change and highlighted the necessity of patient-tailored care and technology integration.

B2: Data is essential in healthcare analysis for making informed decisions that impact organizational change and system-wide outcomes. It provides concrete evidence, moving beyond intuition to fact-based decisions. Data reveals trends and patterns, identifies improvement areas, measures effectiveness, optimizes resource allocation, and supports advocacy for change—ultimately improving care quality and patient satisfaction.

D223: Healthcare Organization Performance Assessment

A. Facility Overview:

• Chosen Facility: UNC Rex Health Care, Raleigh, NC, selected due to my clinical experience and personal connection.

• Type: Short-term acute care facility offering diverse specialized services, including cardiac catheterization, surgery, rehab, emergency, ICU, NICU, and outpatient services like chemotherapy and imaging.

• Control: Governmental (nonprofit under government oversight), funded by insurance reimbursements, tax breaks, and taxpayer funding. Provides care regardless of insurance and offers charity care.

• Rating: 5/5 stars overall by Medicare (2024), reflecting excellent quality in safety, readmission, patient experience, mortality, and timeliness.

Ethics: UNC Rex upholds organizational ethics of autonomy and justice, emphasizing non-discrimination, respect, and dignity in care. Patients receive their rights physically, ensuring informed consent and autonomy are foundational to care.

Nurse’s Role in Fiscal Responsibility: Nurses reduce waste by using only necessary supplies and deliver comprehensive discharge education to prevent readmissions, ultimately saving resources and improving patient outcomes.

Recommended Organizational Change: Decreasing doctor-patient and nurse-patient ratios would enhance patient-provider communication, allow more thorough care discussions, and improve interdisciplinary coordination through team huddles.

Comparison with Duke Raleigh Hospital

• Both are short-term acute care hospitals in Raleigh but differ in control type: UNC Rex is government-controlled nonprofit, while Duke Raleigh is voluntary nonprofit funded largely through donations and charities.

• UNC Rex’s funding allows more flexible community-oriented services without restrictions common to donations.

• UNC Rex shows stronger alignment with value-based care, scoring higher in mortality, safety, readmissions, and timely care metrics.

• Duke Raleigh excels in patient-centered care communication and health equity efforts, reflected in higher patient satisfaction ratings for communication and education.

Low Air Quality and Health Risks for Older Adults

Low air quality signals increased pollution, which the EPA links to heightened risks of heart attacks—especially for individuals with diabetes or obesity (EPA, Climate Change and the Health of Older Adults, 2024). Air pollution also worsens respiratory conditions common in seniors, such as asthma and COPD, leading to acute exacerbations and increased medical expenses. This financial burden is significant because many adults aged 65 and older rely on fixed incomes and Medicare, which typically covers only six medications per month, limiting their ability to manage health effectively.

Economic Challenges Among Older Adults in Broken Arrow

In Broken Arrow, 9.1% of the general population lives in poverty, compared to 17.3% of older adults. The median household income for the general population is $37,223, while the average older adult’s income is $29,740 (Get the Facts on Economic Security for Seniors, 2024). Housing costs can consume over half of their income, especially in retirement communities or assisted living, leaving little for food, healthcare, utilities, and other essentials. This economic instability often leads to food insecurity and worsened health outcomes.

Social Determinants of Health: Economic Stability and Health Impacts

Heart disease is Oklahoma’s leading cause of premature death (CDC, 2024), driven by unmanaged conditions like hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes. These conditions often remain untreated among seniors due to affordability issues and transportation barriers. Additionally, Broken Arrow faces a mental health crisis, with 590 emergency mental health calls in 2023 alone (Broken Arrow Government, 2024). Stigma and lack of mental health education contribute to underdiagnosis and untreated conditions among older adults.

Substance abuse, including prescription drug misuse and polypharmacy, is a growing concern in this population. With stricter opioid regulations, many seniors struggle to access adequate pain management, leading some to self-medicate. Polypharmacy—taking multiple overlapping medications without proper coordination—increases hospitalizations and exacerbates existing health problems. Economic factors influence medication adherence, as seniors often skip or ration drugs due to cost.

Respiratory issues worsened by poor air quality further strain older adults, who may delay seeking care until conditions become emergent due to financial constraints and distrust. Medicare’s limitation to six covered medications monthly forces difficult choices, reducing adherence and overall health outcomes. Limited access to specialists, such as podiatrists with long wait times, compounds these challenges, often resulting in advanced and costly conditions.

Available and Needed Resources

• Charity Care: Hospitals offer charity care programs to assist patients with financial hardships in affording medications and treatments, reducing hospital readmissions.

• SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps seniors afford nutritious food, critical for managing health and preventing costly hospitalizations (Carlson & Llobrera, 2022).

Needed Resources:

• Meals on Wheels: With over 4.2 million homebound adults aged 70+, home-delivered meals and wellness checks are vital for nutrition and social support (Bean, 2021). Broken Arrow benefits from several such programs.

• Expanded Charity Care: Many seniors rely on charity care for essential medications and emergency treatments. Without it, hospital readmissions increase.

Evidence-Based Intervention

Enrolling all seniors in a nutritional aid program covering vitamins, supplements, and meal replacements, paired with biannual food insecurity screenings through primary care, would address episodic food insufficiency common among older adults (Applied Economic Perspectives & Policy, 2022). Early identification and support can improve nutrition, reduce complications from chronic diseases, and decrease costly emergency visits.

Addressing the intertwined issues of air pollution, economic instability, healthcare access, and nutrition through targeted programs and policy changes can substantially improve the health and quality of life for older adults in Broken Arrow and similar communities.

Emphasizing a User-Friendly Patient Portal for Wound Care Clinic

Importance of User-Friendly Interface:
A patient portal must feature a simple, intuitive interface accessible to patients of all ages and technological abilities, as well as to clinic staff. Ensuring ease of navigation encourages patient engagement and efficient staff workflows. To achieve this, dedicated training sessions for both staff and patients should be scheduled prior to and during the portal’s rollout. These sessions will empower users, reduce frustration, and improve adoption rates. Training costs are an upfront investment that can be offset by improved clinic productivity and potential increased patient throughput.

Customization for Individual Patient Needs:
The portal should allow personalization to accommodate each patient’s unique care plan. Features like automated reminders for dressing changes, follow-up appointments, and medication schedules can enhance patient adherence and outcomes. Including billing functionalities—such as viewing statements, managing payments, and setting up payment plans—will further enhance patient convenience and financial transparency.

Security and Compliance:
Robust security protocols are critical to protect sensitive patient data. The portal must comply fully with HIPAA regulations, incorporating data encryption, secure authentication, and continuous monitoring to safeguard confidentiality. Maintaining patient trust through these measures is essential for successful implementation and ongoing use.

Pilot Program and Feedback Loop:
Before full deployment, a pilot program with a small patient cohort will allow real-world testing of the portal’s usability, technical integration, and effectiveness. Gathering feedback from patients, clinicians, and administrative staff during this phase enables iterative improvements to address issues early, ensuring a smoother organization-wide launch.

Part One: Working Styles

According to the 5 Dynamics report, my working styles break down as follows:

Explore: I operate effortlessly in this dynamic. I naturally focus on ideas, feelings, and concepts, expressing creativity, independence, and flexibility. I have a lot of creative energy and enjoy constantly crafting and creating new things. I thrive when I have no limits, allowing my creativity to flow freely. While I may juggle several projects at once, I can still maintain focus on the big picture of each.

Excite: This energy requires deliberate effort from me. I am selective about whom I engage with and find it takes conscious application to motivate and uplift others through humor or positivity. When supporting friends or family with their problems, I often retreat to quiet activities that require minimal energy. This description aligns with my experience, particularly as bedside nursing drains much of my energy by the end of shifts.

Examine: Like Excite, this energy also demands deliberate focus. The report noted that my instinct is to look for what can go “right,” so I must consciously work to consider all angles and potential outcomes. This is especially true when starting new projects or hobbies. I rely on my husband to provide a realistic perspective since he can foresee outcomes effortlessly. My main focus here is establishing structure—rules, timelines, and solid foundations—something I have always thrived on.

Execute: I am naturally skilled in this area. I readily accept challenges and hyper-focus on task completion. While delegation and leadership are areas I’ve developed over time, experience has made me more comfortable leading and delegating. I enjoy leading projects because I want to control outcomes and achieve the highest recognition possible. I am driven and often restless until tasks are done, which aligns with my Working Style Self-Assessment results.

One of my strengths is balancing holistic and creative thinking with concise, detail-oriented focus—critical in nursing, especially oncology. I can address patients’ physical, emotional, and educational needs while monitoring subtle symptom changes that could signal emergencies. I am idealistic and results-driven, which fuels my academic success and professional growth.

However, I face challenges like pushing myself to be the best regardless of cost or time and frequently comparing myself to others. This impacts my mental and physical health by increasing stress and anxiety. To improve, I aim to set more realistic goals and respect my limits and time constraints.

My learning style is paradoxical: I have a strong desire for results but prefer big-picture thinking. I learn best with brief, focused materials like flashcards and bullet points—methods I’ve used successfully since middle school and nursing school.

To complement my working style, I would benefit from partnering with someone naturally skilled in the “Excite” dynamic, which would ease the mental drain of trying to maintain positivity and motivate others, allowing me to focus on organization, delegation, and goal-setting.

Part Two: Communication

In conversations, I typically fall between Accuracy and Authenticity on the Conversation Meter.

Recently, in a conversation with two coworkers about the unexpected suicide of a colleague, one coworker expressed upset, saying, “This is why we all need to be nicer here!” I responded authentically, agreeing that the environment was becoming toxic and acknowledging that people’s personal struggles are often hidden. I listened carefully to gauge whether she needed comfort, agreement, or a chance to vent. Reflecting on it, I believe I provided a supportive, attentive presence, which helped build trust.

However, in another situation with my husband, I initially reacted with certainty that he was wrong without hearing his side regarding household mess and missed calls. I’ve learned the importance of hearing all perspectives before forming judgments or reacting. Since then, I’ve consciously worked on listening openly and asking questions to understand others better.

My listening style fosters relationships based on trust and respect. People see me as empathetic and supportive. I strive to maintain accuracy and authenticity even when feeling challenged, carefully choosing words to avoid triggering conflict and promote cycles of value in conversations.

Part Three: Hero’s Journey

Through this course, I’ve gained insight into my working style, improved mindfulness, and become more aware of my communication choices. The hardest part has been practicing meditation and staying present, as I tend to focus on future tasks. However, I’m committed to daily mindfulness to better appreciate the present and improve my connections.

Learning about my communication style and avoiding cycles of waste has been invaluable. I now work to ensure my conversations add value and aim to teach my husband and family these skills to reduce conflicts and enhance emotional regulation.

Going forward, I will continue practicing mindfulness, being aware of my emotions during conversations, and avoiding language that could be perceived as threatening. I plan to meditate daily and keep refining my emotional awareness and maturity by evaluating my feelings before reacting.

By leveraging my 5 Dynamics results, I can work more efficiently, understand my strengths in learning and project completion, and delegate tasks more effectively.

References

5 Dynamics. (n.d.). The 5 Dynamics assessment report [Assessment tool].

Brown, M. E., & Cregan, C. (2010). Communication styles and effective listening. Journal of Communication Studies, 24(3), 45–59.

Dossey, B. M., & Keegan, L. (2016). Holistic nursing: A handbook for practice (7th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Fleming, N. D., & Mills, C. (1992). Not another inventory, rather a catalyst for reflection. To Improve the Academy, 11(1), 137–155.

D226 E-Portfolio Template: Final Project Submission

Kabat-Zinn, J. (1994). Wherever you go, there you are: Mindfulness meditation in everyday life. Hyperion.

McEwen, B. S. (2007). Physiology and neurobiology of stress and adaptation: Central role of the brain. Physiological Reviews, 87(3), 873–904. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00041.2006

Northouse, P. G. (2021). Leadership: Theory and practice (9th ed.). Sage Publications.