NURS FPX 4905 Assessment 5 Reflection Questions

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX4905 Capstone Project for Nursing

Prof. Name

Date

Reflection Questions

Wellness and Disease Prevention

Reflect on the health promotion disease prevention interventions you witnessed in your practicum site, as it relates to the social determinants of health most prevalent in your community. What did you see? What does this time mean to you as a professional nurse in your role?

During my practicum at The Longevity Center, I observed a strong emphasis on individualized wellness and preventive healthcare, particularly within the scope of regenerative medicine. The clinic prioritized early detection of risk factors such as hormonal imbalances, chronic inflammation, micronutrient deficiencies, and autoimmune triggers. These health conditions are often influenced by social determinants of health prevalent in the community, including socioeconomic disparities, limited access to nutritious food, and varying levels of health literacy.

The Center implemented comprehensive intake screenings, patient education on lifestyle modifications, and personalized treatment plans aimed at preventing disease onset. Despite these measures, there was a noticeable gap in leveraging broader community resources to address systemic social disparities. This highlighted the need for expanded community-based health promotion initiatives.

This practicum experience profoundly impacted my professional development as a nurse. I gained a deeper understanding of the critical link between disease prevention and clinical outcomes, particularly in regenerative medicine, where early intervention is crucial. It also underscored the importance of considering social, psychological, and environmental factors when developing preventive strategies. My role as a nurse extended to promoting health equity, providing individualized education, and collaborating with interagency teams to deliver holistic care. This experience reinforced the idea that effective nursing combines scientific knowledge with compassion and foresight.

Chronic Disease Management

Reflect on the integration of interprofessional team-based care as it relates to chronic disease management in your practicum site. What did you see? What does this time mean to you as a professional nurse in your role?

At The Longevity Center, chronic disease management was delivered through a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach. Patients with long-term conditions such as metabolic syndrome, autoimmune disorders, and hormonal imbalances received care coordinated among physicians, nurse practitioners, nutritionists, wellness coaches, and laboratory professionals. Shared documentation in electronic health records and regular interdisciplinary meetings ensured that lab results, patient progress, and treatment adjustments were discussed in real time. This approach was essential for therapies such as hormone optimization or peptide protocols, which required continuous monitoring and adjustments.

However, some challenges existed in standardizing communication and ensuring timely responses to critical patient information.

Professional Reflection Table – Chronic Disease Management

Observation	Implications for Nursing Practice	Lessons Learned
Interdisciplinary care for chronic conditions	Nurses act as connectors between disciplines	Reinforced the role of nurses in patient education and symptom monitoring
Shared EHR documentation and team huddles	Facilitates coordinated care	Highlighted importance of effective communication for continuity of care
Complex treatment regimens requiring frequent adjustments	Requires vigilance and proactive management	Emphasized the nurse’s role in ensuring patient-centered outcomes

This experience emphasized the pivotal role of nurses in chronic disease management. Beyond clinical duties, I learned that nurses serve as communicators and educators, bridging gaps between various healthcare providers. It strengthened my confidence in leading and participating in collaborative initiatives and advocating for patient-centered solutions that enhance long-term health outcomes.

Regenerative and Restorative Care

Reflect on the acute management of illnesses such as stroke, mental illness, and falls in your practicum site. What did you see? What does this time mean to you as a professional nurse in your role?

Although The Longevity Center primarily focused on regenerative and preventive medicine, I observed restorative care for patients experiencing acute health issues. These included fatigue syndromes, fall-related injuries, and mood disturbances. While acute events like strokes or psychiatric crises were not directly treated at the clinic, interventions such as platelet-rich plasma injections, peptide protocols, and hormone balancing contributed significantly to symptom stabilization and recovery.

For mental health, the clinic identified neurotransmitter imbalances and referred patients to counseling, although structured psychiatric care pathways were less defined. For fall-related injuries, regenerative therapies, including stem cell treatment, were employed to improve mobility and restore independence.

Professional Reflection Table – Regenerative and Restorative Care

Observation	Nursing Implications	Insights Gained
Use of regenerative protocols for recovery	Nurses support recovery through education and monitoring	Recovery involves both physical and psychological well-being
Mental health referrals	Nurses coordinate care with mental health specialists	Importance of holistic assessment beyond physical symptoms
Focus on functional restoration	Promotes patient independence	Emphasized integrating innovation with compassionate care

This experience was enlightening and shaped my philosophy of care. I realized that acute management does not always equate to crisis response but can involve structured restorative interventions aimed at long-term recovery. As a nurse, I learned to assess patients comprehensively, including their psychological and social contexts, ensuring a holistic recovery process.

Hospice and Palliative Care

Reflect on end-of-life nursing and advanced illness and hospice care in your practicum site.

The Longevity Center did not offer formal hospice or palliative care, focusing instead on regenerative and proactive therapies. Nevertheless, I observed care for patients with severe, irreversible conditions, such as autoimmune degeneration or advanced chronic fatigue. Treatment objectives shifted from curative measures to symptom management and quality-of-life enhancement.

Palliative principles, including patient comfort, dignity, and shared decision-making, were integrated informally. Treatment was adjusted to minimize pain and support daily functioning. Discussions on advanced illness planning were limited and could benefit from a more systematic approach. The clinic’s culture of rejuvenation sometimes made it challenging to fully embrace end-of-life priorities.

Professional Reflection Table – Hospice and Palliative Care

Observation	Nursing Implications	Lessons Learned
Symptom-focused care for terminal patients	Nurses must provide emotional support and comfort	Palliative care requires flexibility and patient-centered prioritization
Limited formal hospice procedures	Opportunity to integrate structured discussions on advanced care	Reinforced the importance of patient autonomy and dignity
Shift from curative to comfort care	Nurses act as advocates for quality of life	Highlighted the nurse’s role in compassionate end-of-life care

This experience deepened my understanding of compassionate care. As a professional nurse, I recognized the necessity of emotional presence and patient advocacy, even in settings emphasizing vitality and longevity. Palliative care is not a concession of defeat but a strategic redirection of care priorities to ensure comfort, autonomy, and meaningful engagement. This reinforced my belief in the integral role of nurses in guiding end-of-life discussions and maintaining dignity for patients facing progressive illness.

References

American Nurses Association. (2021). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice (4th ed.). ANA Publishing.

Venes, D., & Perkin, R. (2022). The comprehensive guide to regenerative medicine. Academic Press.