Infection Prevention and Control Essay

For this project, I elected to experience the leadership role in a clinical practice with a family nurse practitioner (FNP). Towards this end, my area of specialty will be infection prevention and control in a short-term and long-term rehabilitation facility.

The relevance of this clinical experience cannot be overstated when it comes to the further enhancement of my professional capabilities. As a matter of fact, I regard it a rite of passage as I seek to gather additional insight in my field of specialization for enhanced patient care in a clinical setting. Being fully aware of the diversity of the patient-care environment, I would want to be prepared to address various healthcare-related issues and concerns in an able and professional manner. This is more so the case given that the nursing field is very broad – effectively meaning that those in this noble profession ought to be prepared to function in a wide range of care settings and specialties. In general terms, therefore, my selected clinical experience would come in handy in this endeavor.

I selected my area of specialty, i.e. infection prevention and control, for a number of reasons. It is important to note that infection control and prevention is key to the further enhancement of patient outcomes. According to Gould and Drey (2013), the relevance of infection control in “protecting patients and reducing the risks of occupational exposure” cannot be overstated” (760). Towards this end, I would want to be well versed in the prevention of hospital-acquired infections by ensuring a safe working environment that does not pose the risk of infection. The role of nurses in this endeavor is largely front-line given their close interactions and proximity to patients. It is with this in mind that I would desire to be well-versed in the various infection control and management approaches so as to ensure protection for both myself and my patients. This is of great relevance given that “professional practice requires direct contact with the sick, handling material and implementation of invasive procedures” (Gomes, Mascarenhas, Mendonca, and Rebelo, 2016, p. 87). Below are my self-defined learning objectives for the clinical experience:

1. To have a practical feel of the various approaches and measures undertaken in seeking to ensure that pathogens borne by various body fluids are not transmitted in the course of healthcare provision or conduction of first aid. The said body fluids include, but they are not limited to blood, vaginal secretions, amniotic fluids, cerebrospinal fluids, etc.

2. To have better grasp of not only how infections occur, but also the manner in which various microorganisms behave and proliferate. In so doing, I would be seeking to have better comprehension of prevention approaches across all settings.

3. To familiarize myself with the various organizational procedures put…