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 proactive wellness and preventive interventions, particularly within the scope of regenerative medicine. The clinic prioritized early identification of risk factors such as hormonal imbalances, chronic inflammation, nutritional deficiencies, and autoimmune triggers. These risk factors were often influenced by social determinants of health in the community, including limited access to affordable healthy foods, socioeconomic disparities, and variations in health literacy levels.

The Center conducted comprehensive intake assessments, guided patients on evidence-based lifestyle modifications, and developed personalized care plans designed to prevent disease progression. However, a noticeable gap existed in connecting patients with broader community-level resources, which highlighted the need for systemic and community-based interventions.

This experience was meaningful to me as a professional nurse because it reinforced the link between prevention and long-term health outcomes. I recognized the value of integrating social, psychological, and environmental factors into care planning. It also deepened my understanding of the nurse’s role in promoting health equity, advocating for patient education, and collaborating across disciplines. This practicum underscored the importance of blending science with empathy and positioned me to take on an active role in preventive nursing practice.

Key Observations	Implications for Nursing Role
Focus on individualized wellness	Nurses must assess patient-specific needs and advocate preventive practices.
Screening for risk factors	Nurses play a role in early detection and health education.
Lack of systemic community engagement	Nurses can advocate for policy-level changes to improve equity.

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, I observed a highly collaborative, team-based model of care in the management of chronic conditions such as metabolic syndrome, autoimmune disorders, and hormonal imbalances. Treatment strategies were developed by an interprofessional team that included physicians, nurse practitioners, nutritionists, wellness coaches, and laboratory specialists. This team worked collaboratively through shared electronic health records and regular interdisciplinary meetings to ensure patient progress was continuously evaluated and interventions adjusted.

This structure ensured that patients received well-rounded support, particularly in conditions requiring frequent monitoring and adjustments, such as hormone therapy and peptide regimens. Despite these strengths, I also identified areas for improvement, including standardizing communication pathways and ensuring rapid responses to critical data updates.

From a professional nursing perspective, I came to appreciate the unique role nurses play as care connectors—educating patients, tracking symptoms, and facilitating communication between providers. This practicum strengthened my belief that effective chronic disease management relies on consistency, trust, and collaboration. It also gave me confidence in advocating for patient-centered approaches that improve outcomes and enhance the quality of life for individuals with complex health needs.

Care Element	Observation	Nursing Role
Team-based coordination	Multiple disciplines involved in care planning	Nurses act as liaisons between providers
Shared documentation	Use of electronic health records	Nurses ensure timely and accurate updates
Frequent huddles	Interdisciplinary meetings for adjustments	Nurses contribute observations and patient insights
Communication challenges	Inconsistent responses to urgent data	Nurses advocate for standardized communication protocols

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 Center primarily focused on regenerative and preventive approaches, I encountered several instances of restorative care for patients recovering from acute episodes such as fatigue syndromes, falls, and mental health concerns. The clinic utilized innovative treatments including stem cell therapy, platelet-rich plasma injections, peptide protocols, and hormone balancing to aid recovery and improve quality of life.

For patients experiencing mental health challenges, the clinic evaluated neurotransmitter imbalances and referred them to counseling services. However, I noticed that pathways for psychiatric care were less structured compared to physical health interventions. In the case of falls, the regenerative therapies supported physical healing and improved mobility, helping patients regain independence.

This experience shaped my perspective as a nurse by highlighting that acute management extends beyond crisis response. It involves restorative and supportive strategies designed to promote long-term recovery. I learned to view healing holistically by considering both physical symptoms and the patient’s psychological and social well-being. My role as a nurse was not only to provide clinical care but also to guide patients compassionately through recovery journeys.

Hospice and Palliative Care

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

Although The Longevity Center did not primarily focus on hospice or end-of-life care, I observed situations where patients with irreversible illnesses transitioned toward palliative approaches. For example, patients with progressive autoimmune conditions or severe chronic fatigue gradually shifted from curative treatments to comfort-focused care.

The clinic adapted its strategies by prioritizing quality of life, emotional well-being, and dignity rather than curative intent. While formal hospice services were not integrated, principles of palliative nursing such as comfort, respect, and shared decision-making were evident. However, structured discussions around advanced care planning occurred infrequently and represented an opportunity for improvement.

For me, this was a transformative experience that reinforced the idea that palliative care is not about “giving up,” but rather about redirecting priorities to focus on what truly matters to the patient—autonomy, peace, and relationships. I learned that nurses have a critical role in leading end-of-life discussions, ensuring dignity, and advocating for patient-centered care, even in environments where the focus is on longevity and vitality.