Reflection on my practicum

    One of the challenges that I encountered during my practicum was the aspect of integrating the evidence-based theories learned in a classroom set up into the real world practice. The first week was more challenging as I was extremely weighed down by the work, roles, and responsibilities that were bestowed upon me. However, with the assistance that I was able to get from my supervisors and the directors who were well knowledgeable and had some years experience in the field I was able to become more confident and changed my viewpoint on the same. Through observation and directly learning from them was able to learn different skills in this line of work. Positivity was the key to solving my challenge. Once I started to feel and become more positive about my capabilities things started changing for the better.  After this experience, I was able to overcome the challenge as the profession not only became my profession but also one of my passions and through this passion I was able to validate my decision of becoming a health care and life scientist. Nonetheless, all these challenges had an intensely positive impact on me as I now feel more secure and so self-assured of all my capabilities. These challenges throughout my practicum duration I perceived them as discouragement but instead, they made me realize some of my potential and strengths in being a health care specialist.

    Prior to the internship program, my view was limited only to my life experiences and education in the context of my own culture. The experiences that I acquired throughout the practicum expanded my perception on life. Transition part from being a learner into being a scholar proved to be difficult and this made it hard for me to engage into a good relationship with the preceptor. However, as time moved on I was able to focus more on my roles and responsibilities and personal achievements on learning objectives and the completion of the projects that I and my preceptors conceptualized and were approved by the practicum practitioners. I, therefore, had an opportunity to apply a well as incorporate public health setting, the expertise and various skills that I had acquired throughout my course f study and for further development in my profession. Therefore towards the third week of my practicum program, I was able to change my perception on my field as I had an opportunity to finish my coursework and synthesize the knowledge into competence in professional practice and to offer a solution to public health problems. This has thus enhanced the developing of respect and obligation to continued professional knowledge in the field.

 

    Throughout my course, I have learned a lot and especially in the practicum semester as I was allowed to practice all that I had learned in the course. One of the core elements that I learned during this period is the service learning aspect that enhanced me to practice active involvement in the community and beyond but still realizing the importance of academic coursework. I was able to apply the knowledge as well as the skills into a consequential issue and frameworks far beyond the four walls of the classroom. Thus my internship program at the practicum pulled me away from my comfort zone and it expounded on my leadership skills in each and every aspect of my life.

    Through the internship program through the clinical program, I was expected to shadow at the facility similar to that one of an apprenticeship model. I was mentored by other clinical supervisors who assisted me in bridging the gap between the institution and the practical application. Moreover, besides the onsite application at the facility, I embarked on a more specific course discipline where I was offered more social-cultural as well as experimental learning chances. I actively engaged in simulation training where I was able to interact, participate and apply and to study more on the common crisis situation. This, therefore, yielded good learning of crisis management due to the use of simulation in carrying out experimental teaching.

        Practicum experience has had a varied impact on me as it has enhanced me to develop my personal philosophies as well as values that act as a driving force to furthering my studies in the field of healthcare and life sciences with exceptionalities. Being a health care specialist requires a person to possess so many skills and expertise. Dealing with people every day is not an easy task as many may perceive it to be, yet doing it calls for passion and determination which makes it a whole lot of difference. However, the pathway towards this success is surely rewarding. This field has thus changed my entire life and profession all for the best. Thus as I pursue my discipline, practicum experience has totally taught me to realize that I have made the right and excellent choice in career.