Critical Thinking and Self-Understanding

Reflective Journal
Reflective journaling has been found to stimulate critical thinking and self-understanding through the process of writing about your thoughts and experiences. As you reflect on the coursework, readings, and your practicum experience, you will gain a deeper understanding on how to approach problem-solving and decision-making. As you continue to write, you may find more meaning to your thoughts and apply them to practice in some way. By performing this self-analysis, you become more aware of your environment and how you approach making positive changes (as cited in Schuessler, Wilder, & Byrd, 2012).
Journaling is where you will log your beginning, middle and end part of the experiences in the practicum setting. The first journal entry will be posted here on the home page of the course. The second entry will be in week 5. You may submit that entry as soon as you complete your 18 practicum hours with your preceptor and have had a chance to reflect and write. The third part of this reflection will be in a DQ in week 5. There you will share with your peers things learned or experienced in your practicum. The focus on this last piece is really a lessons learned part of reflection and a peer sharing position. Each of these parts counts as 5% of your grade for a total of 15%. Your journals are only visible to your instructor so please feel free to share openly and honestly.
In addition to the class reading in the week 1 module, read this article (https://www.apha.org/~/media/files/pdf/membergroups/phn/nursingdefinition.ashx) and Chapter 1 in Harkness and DeMarco (2016) before completing this week’s journal.
Please answer the following questions for this Introductory Reflective Journal keeping in mind that this is the only place where faculty will be able to “see” your practicum patient experiences and the thoughts and feelings around them. This must be completed by Sunday, at 2359 EST Week 1.
Each criteria must be answered with a minimum of one paragraph per criteria. A paragraph, for any assignment in this course, is a minimum of 5 sentences. Each paragraph is worth 25% of the assignment this week. Late penalties apply and no work is accepted after 5 days past the deadline.
I am more concerned with the narrative of this, but please keep spelling, grammar and APA in mind. You do not need references or a cover page though if you do use them, please format and cite appropriately.

1. Share your initial thoughts (prior to taking this course) on the role of Population and Community Health Nursing (PCHN)? 1 paragraph 25% (150 words)
2. Do you have any experiences working with or in Population and Community Health Nursing? Please share. If not, what do you think that job entails? 1 paragraph 25% (150 words)
3. How do you anticipate this practicum impacting your role as a nurse both specific to your current practice (your job now) and in general?1 paragraph 25% (150 words)
4. Explain your understanding of how PCHN differs from the role of the bedside nurse based on the week 1 reading, the video provided and the APHA article (all located on the week 1 module). 1 paragraph 25% (150 words)