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 commitment to personalized wellness and preventive health care that was closely aligned with regenerative medicine principles. The clinical team prioritized early identification of risks such as hormone imbalances, chronic inflammation, micronutrient depletion, and autoimmune predispositions. These risk factors were often shaped by social determinants of health (SDOH), including limited financial resources, unequal access to nutritious foods, and variations in health literacy levels across the community.

The Center implemented comprehensive intake assessments combined with patient education on lifestyle adjustments such as diet, stress management, and physical activity. Individualized treatment plans were crafted to reduce the risk of chronic disease development. However, it was evident that despite the Center’s efforts, there was a gap in connecting patients to broader community resources—a reminder that systemic disparities require community-based interventions.

For me as a professional nurse, this was a transformative experience. I realized that preventive nursing is not only about clinical intervention but also about addressing psychosocial and environmental influences on health. My role expanded into being an advocate for health equity, ensuring education was accessible, and collaborating with community partners. This reinforced my belief that prevention is as critical as treatment, and that nurses serve as key drivers in building bridges between science, compassion, and advocacy.

Observations at Practicum Site	Implications for Nursing Role
Focus on early detection (hormones, inflammation, nutrition, autoimmune triggers)	Importance of risk assessment and proactive nursing care
Comprehensive patient intake and education	Role of nurses in teaching lifestyle modifications
Gaps in systemic community-level support	Nurse advocacy for community health equity and collaboration
Emphasis on prevention rather than reaction	Reinforcement of prevention-focused nursing philosophy

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 interdisciplinary model of chronic disease management. Conditions such as metabolic syndrome, autoimmune disorders, and hormonal imbalances were managed through individualized treatment plans created by a team of professionals that included physicians, nurse practitioners, nutritionists, wellness coaches, and laboratory experts. Care coordination was facilitated through shared electronic health records and frequent interdisciplinary meetings where lab findings, patient progress, and necessary modifications were discussed.

This collaborative approach ensured timely adjustments in care, particularly for treatments like hormone optimization and peptide therapy, which required close monitoring. Nevertheless, I noticed challenges in standardizing communication and ensuring timely responses to patient data—highlighting the need for stronger interprofessional communication protocols.

From a nursing perspective, this experience deepened my appreciation for the nurse’s role as a central communicator and coordinator within team-based care. Nurses not only provided direct clinical care but also acted as educators and liaisons, ensuring information flowed seamlessly between providers and patients. The practicum emphasized that effective chronic disease management relies on trust, consistency, and collaboration, with nurses being integral in maintaining continuity of care.

NURS FPX 4905 Assessment 5 Reflection Questions

Interdisciplinary Practices	Role of the Nurse
Shared electronic records for coordinated care	Ensure accuracy, monitor changes, and relay critical data
Team meetings to review patient progress	Communicate updates and advocate for patient needs
Integration of nutrition, coaching, and medical care	Educate patients and reinforce adherence
Challenges in standardized communication	Strengthen interprofessional dialogue and streamline responses

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 emphasizes preventive and regenerative medicine, I encountered cases involving patients experiencing acute health crises such as fatigue syndromes, mood disturbances, and fall-related injuries. While stroke or psychiatric emergencies were referred to specialized facilities, the Center actively supported recovery through integrative restorative therapies including platelet-rich plasma injections, stem cell therapy, peptide protocols, and hormone balancing.

In cases of mental health concerns, neurotransmitter imbalances were assessed, and counseling was recommended, though the mental health care pathway lacked the structured framework seen in physical health interventions. For patients recovering from falls, regenerative approaches helped improve mobility and restore function—illustrating the Center’s focus on enhancing independence and long-term recovery rather than solely acute crisis response.

This experience reshaped my understanding of restorative nursing care. I learned that acute management goes beyond immediate stabilization—it also involves strategic, long-term recovery planning that integrates physical, psychological, and social dimensions. As a nurse, my responsibility extended to guiding patients through these complex recoveries, applying both clinical expertise and compassionate care.

Hospice and Palliative Care

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

While The Longevity Center primarily focuses on longevity and regenerative medicine, I encountered patients with advanced illnesses such as severe autoimmune decline and chronic fatigue syndromes where treatment gradually shifted toward palliative approaches. Instead of curative interventions, the focus transitioned to enhancing comfort, dignity, and quality of life.

Although there was no formal hospice program, principles of palliative nursing were applied, such as symptom management, shared decision-making, and emotional support. Treatment goals shifted to maintaining energy, reducing pain, and supporting daily living. However, discussions regarding advanced care planning were infrequent and needed more structured initiation. The clinic’s culture of recovery sometimes created difficulty in transitioning to acceptance and end-of-life conversations.

This experience was profoundly meaningful for me as a nurse. I learned that palliative care is not about surrendering treatment, but about redirecting priorities to patient-centered values such as comfort, autonomy, and relationships. Nurses play a pivotal role in initiating difficult conversations, fostering dignity, and providing emotional presence during this vulnerable stage of life.

References

World Health Organization. (2023). Social determinants of health. https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health

National Institute of Nursing Research. (2022). Palliative care and end-of-life research. https://www.ninr.nih.gov/research-and-funding/palliative-care

NURS FPX 4905 Assessment 5 Reflection Questions

American Nurses Association. (2021). The nurse’s role in chronic disease management. ANA Publications.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Health promotion and disease prevention strategies. https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/