How to Write a Nursing Exemplar

How to Write a Nursing Exemplar

Learning how to create a nursing exemplar for your assignment might seem challenging initially, but it becomes easier when you understand the purpose. The main goal, as the name suggests, is to thoroughly describe a specific clinical situation.

This article will provide more information about nursing exemplars, including their definition and guidelines for creating them.

Definition of a Nursing Exemplar

A nursing exemplar is a real-life patient story shared to illustrate an RN’s experience. It is written in the first person and delves deeply into a specific clinical event, including the nurse’s thoughts, emotions, goals, actions, critical thinking, and decision-making process.

A clinical practice exemplar is a story from your clinical practice that highlights something memorable, meaningful, or frequently recalled. It’s a patient story that reveals something significant to you and reflects your nursing practice.

How to Choose a Nursing Exemplar

The nursing exemplar chooses you. It’s a situation that stands out in your memory because it is rich in meaning. This narrative conveys important information or intentions, as well as your perception of outstanding practice or a practice flaw. You remember these instances because they are significant to you.

Writing a Nursing Exemplar

Follow these steps to create a nursing exemplar that stands out:

1. Present it as a Narrative Account: Write the nursing exemplar as a narrative account, using the first person.

2. Include Oral Reporting: Oral narration can be beneficial as it allows you to express thoughts, feelings, and concerns more naturally. Several double-spaced, typewritten pages should suffice.

3. Have a Coworker Review Your Work: Have a coworker who may have been involved in the patient’s care read your account. They can help capture essential details you might assume are known.

4. Edit Your Story: Avoid using summary statements or generic terms that don’t convey what happened. Instead, explain how you identified potential risks, provided emotional support, and achieved outcomes.

5. Include Dialogue: Whenever possible, incorporate dialogue to provide a firsthand account of the incident’s development. Share your thoughts and hopes when taking specific actions.

6. Maintain Confidentiality: Change any patient-identifying information to protect confidentiality.

Creating Nursing Exemplars

Before you begin, consider whether the narrative truly represents your current practice. Write down as much detail as possible from the narrative to start.

Here’s how to begin:

– Reflect on your work, list potential stories, and share a story with a group.
– Start writing without worrying about spelling, grammar, word choice, or sentence structure.

Elements to Include in a Nursing Exemplar

A nursing exemplar is a valuable tool for patient care as it influences nursing care plans and physician decisions. To create a top-notch nursing exemplar note, ensure it includes the following components:

1. Date and Time: Start with the date and time entry, making it easier to find critical event details and organize the patient’s record.

2. Patient’s Name: Include the patient’s name, which may be required by some facilities on every entry to avoid documenting for the wrong patient.

3. Personal and Objective Data: Share subjective data provided by the patient and objective data observed by the nurse, including vital signs and test results.

How to write a Nursing Assignment: Beginners Guide

4. Assessment: Include a head-to-toe or targeted assessment based on the evaluation’s purpose.

5. Interventions: Record all nursing interventions, such as repositioning, instruction, or medication administration.

6. Evaluation: After each intervention, evaluate the patient’s response, reflecting changes in their condition.

Elements to Omit in a Nursing Exemplar

While creating a nursing exemplar, it’s crucial to omit certain elements. Here are some things you should avoid including in nursing exemplar papers:

1. Symptoms Without Intervention: Don’t describe symptoms or patient complaints without providing intervention and follow-up.

2. Speculations: Avoid making assumptions about a patient’s thoughts or feelings. Focus on what the patient says and does.

3. Vague Terminology: Use accurate and descriptive language to evoke a clear image in the reader’s mind.

4. Untimely Charting: Document care only after it is completed to ensure accuracy.

5. Family or Friend Information: It’s acceptable to note the presence of family or friends, but avoid including personal information about their behavior or interactions.

How to Write a Nursing Exemplar

Creating a nursing exemplar can be done effectively by following these step-by-step guidelines:

1. Be Concise and Specific

Nursing exemplars serve as comprehensive records of the patient’s condition and response to treatments. Maintain clarity and specificity in your documentation.

2. Present the Facts

Describe what you hear, see, feel, and do in the nursing exemplar. Avoid unnecessary details; stick to the essential facts.

Nursing Literature Review Writing; A Comprehensive Guide

3. Start with the Main Issue

Begin by addressing the patient’s primary complaint or issue before delving into any additional complexities.

4. Include Objective Data

Incorporate vital signs and observable elements as part of the information you document.

5. Document Personal Data

After recording the objective facts, include the patient’s thoughts and feelings.

Expert Tips for Writing an Excellent Nursing Exemplar

To create a stellar nursing exemplar, consider the following expert tips:

1. Promptly Record Nursing Interventions

Document nursing actions, assessments, and care promptly to minimize the risk of omitting crucial information.

2. Maintain Descriptive Documentation

Ensure your nursing narrative provides a clear and detailed account of everything observed or reported. Descriptive documentation reduces the chances of information being misunderstood.

3. Maintain Objectivity

Maintain an objective perspective when writing narrative nursing notes. While personal information can be included, accurate data and observations are more critical for decision-making.

4. Add New Information as Needed

Whenever new developments occur, create a new record with the date, time, and relevant information to keep the patient’s record up-to-date.

5. Provide Sufficient Detail

Occasionally, it may be necessary to provide extensive narrative nursing notes. Ensure you include enough information to convey the message regarding the patient’s condition, needs, treatment, and emotions.

6. Ensure Legible Handwriting

If your facility still uses paper notes, legible handwriting is crucial. Patient charts may serve as legal documents, so clear records prevent misunderstandings.

What to Include in a Nursing Exemplar

In a nursing exemplar, document everything observed as a nurse and all essential medical information. It provides a detailed summary of the patient’s condition, needs, and health status. It should be comprehensive enough to ensure all relevant parties have quick and easy access to the patient’s information.

Enhancing Your Submission

After completing your exemplar, seek feedback from both clinical and non-clinical individuals. Ask them to describe your exemplar in their own words to ensure clarity and understanding. Also, perform spellchecking and grammar checks to ensure the quality of your nursing exemplar, especially if it’s for an award submission.

Using Nursing Exemplars to Support Student Writing

Nursing exemplars can be valuable tools for students struggling to grasp writing principles and concepts. They provide a concrete example that students can connect with, making it easier for them to understand essential concepts and evaluation requirements. Annotated exemplars can demystify the process and offer a model for students to aspire to. They help students see and deconstruct exemplary responses, strengthening their learning experience.

In Conclusion

Creating exceptional nursing exemplars is of utmost importance. This guide has addressed how to write a nursing exemplar effectively. By following the examples and writing guidelines provided, you can produce a high-quality nursing exemplar. Remember, it’s better to document too much than too little, ensuring comprehensive and accurate records.