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 personalized wellness and preventive care, particularly within the scope of regenerative medicine. The clinic focused heavily on early risk identification, which included screening for hormonal imbalances, micronutrient deficiencies, autoimmune risk factors, and chronic inflammation. These health risks were strongly influenced by social determinants of health (SDOH) in the community, such as limited access to affordable healthy foods, varying health literacy levels, and socioeconomic barriers.

The clinic implemented comprehensive intake assessments and provided patient education on lifestyle modifications, nutrition, and stress management. Individualized treatment plans were designed to prevent disease progression. However, despite these strengths, there was a noticeable gap in linking patients with broader community resources that could address systemic disparities. This highlighted the importance of integrating clinical care with public health strategies.

As a nurse, this experience was transformative. It reinforced the idea that prevention is not merely clinical but also social and environmental. I gained deeper insight into how nurses act as advocates for health equity, bridging the gap between clinical care and community resources. This strengthened my resolve to promote wellness through a holistic approach, combining evidence-based practice with compassion and advocacy.

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 conducted through an interdisciplinary care model that promoted teamwork and coordination. Patients with complex conditions such as metabolic syndrome, autoimmune disorders, and hormonal imbalances benefited from care plans that involved physicians, nurse practitioners, nutritionists, wellness coaches, and laboratory professionals.

To ensure consistency, the team used a shared electronic health record (EHR) system and participated in regular interdisciplinary huddles. These meetings facilitated discussion of patient progress, lab results, and necessary treatment adjustments. Such collaboration was particularly critical when managing therapies like hormone optimization or peptide protocols, which required ongoing monitoring. Despite the strengths, challenges remained in standardizing communication and ensuring timely responsiveness to patient data.

For me as a nurse, this experience highlighted the pivotal role of nursing in care coordination. Nurses often serve as the communication link—educating patients, monitoring symptoms, and relaying information across disciplines. I realized that nursing extends beyond clinical tasks to include fostering continuity of care, promoting trust among providers, and ensuring that patients remain central in decision-making. This experience deepened my appreciation for interprofessional collaboration and strengthened my ability to advocate for patient-centered chronic disease management.

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 focuses on regenerative and preventive medicine, I encountered instances of restorative care for patients experiencing acute conditions. These included recovery support for individuals with fatigue syndromes, fall-related injuries, and mood disturbances. While the clinic did not directly handle severe emergencies such as strokes or psychiatric crises, it contributed significantly to post-acute recovery through therapies like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, stem cell therapy, peptide regimens, and hormone balancing.

In cases involving mental health, neurotransmitter imbalances were evaluated, and patients were referred to counseling and integrative therapies. For fall-related injuries, regenerative treatments aimed to restore mobility, independence, and overall function.

This experience reshaped my understanding of acute care. I learned that acute management is not limited to immediate crisis intervention but also involves restorative strategies that focus on long-term recovery. As a nurse, I became more aware of the need to evaluate not only physical symptoms but also psychological, social, and environmental aspects of recovery. This broadened my care philosophy to emphasize the mind-body connection and the importance of holistic, patient-centered healing.

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 primarily focus on hospice or palliative care due to its orientation toward regenerative medicine. However, I encountered patients with advanced or irreversible conditions, such as progressive autoimmune disorders and chronic fatigue syndromes, where the treatment focus gradually shifted from curative interventions to comfort-centered care.

Although there was no structured hospice program, palliative principles such as dignity, comfort, emotional support, and shared decision-making were incorporated into care. Treatment strategies were adjusted to minimize pain and maximize quality of life. End-of-life discussions occurred occasionally but were not consistently integrated into patient care. The clinic’s culture of rejuvenation sometimes made it challenging to transition to conversations about acceptance and comfort.

This experience profoundly impacted my perspective as a nurse. I realized that palliative care is not about giving up—it is about reprioritizing goals to focus on what matters most to the patient: comfort, autonomy, relationships, and peace. It taught me that nurses must take an active role in initiating end-of-life discussions, supporting families, and ensuring that patients experience dignity throughout advanced illness.

Summary Table of Practicum Observations

Focus Area	Observed Practices	Strengths	Limitations/Challenges	Professional Nursing Insight
Wellness & Disease Prevention	Screening for risk factors, lifestyle education, individualized care plans	Early detection, personalized prevention	Limited systemic resource integration	Nurses as advocates for health equity and holistic prevention
Chronic Disease Management	Interdisciplinary teamwork, shared EHR, regular huddles	Coordinated care, proactive adjustments	Communication gaps, variable responsiveness	Nurses as connectors and educators in team-based care
Regenerative & Restorative Care	PRP therapy, stem cell treatment, counseling referrals	Innovative therapies, patient-centered recovery	Limited structured mental health pathways	Nurses evaluate holistic recovery beyond symptoms
Hospice & Palliative Care	Comfort-focused strategies, dignity and support	Compassionate symptom management	Infrequent end-of-life planning	Nurses lead in facilitating acceptance and compassionate care

References

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

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Social determinants of health: Know what affects health. https://www.cdc.gov/socialdeterminants/index.htm

World Health Organization. (2020). Palliative care. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/palliative-care