Welcome to my e-portfolio! My name is Shabnam, and I graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This e-portfolio showcases my personal philosophy, educational background, volunteer experience, resume, and career development. Please take a moment to browse my academic successes, credentials, projects, competencies, and certifications. Thank you for visiting my e-portfolio!

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Personal Philosophy

As a registered nurse, my professional philosophy is deeply rooted in my personal journey and experiences. Born and raised in Iran, I immigrated to the United States seven years ago, embarking on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. My initial pursuit of a Bachelor's degree in Psychology was inspired by my mother's struggle with Health Concerns and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Witnessing her battle and the impact of healthcare professionals in her life ignited a passion within me to serve others and make a difference in their lives.

My philosophy as a nurse is centered around compassion, empathy, and a relentless commitment to patient care. I believe that nursing is not merely a profession, but a calling that requires a deep understanding of human emotions and the ability to provide comfort during times of distress. I am committed to providing holistic care that addresses not only the physical needs of my patients but also their emotional and psychological well-being. I am driven by the desire to put a smile on people's faces, to alleviate their pain, and to bring hope in their darkest hours. I believe that every patient deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and kindness, regardless of their background or health condition. As a registered nurse, I am committed to continuously learning and improving my skills to provide the best possible care to my patients. I am excited about the opportunity to make a positive impact on people's lives and contribute to the betterment of healthcare in the United States.

In conclusion, my professional philosophy as a nurse is a reflection of my personal journey and the values I hold dear. It is a commitment to serve others with compassion, empathy, and professionalism, and to make a difference in the world through my work.

Clinical Highlights

  • Medical/Surgical I Clinicals at USC Arcadia Hospital

  • Maternal, Newborn, and Women's Health Clinicals at Emanate Health Queen of the Valley Hospital

  • Community Health Clinicals at Pasadena Public Health Department

  • Critical Care Clinicals at PIH Health Whittier Hospital

Resume and cover letter

Resume

Cover letter

Education

Coming soon …

Certifications 

BSN Competencies

Patient-Centered Care

Patient-centered care is a fundamental competency in nursing that I have come to understand and appreciate deeply. This approach to healthcare places the patient at the heart of all decisions and actions. It involves understanding and respecting each patient's unique needs, values, and preferences, and incorporating them into their care plan. It is about treating the patient as a whole person, not just focusing on their illness. This approach ensures that the care provided is respectful, responsive, and tailored to the individual patient's needs, leading to better health outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Throughout my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, I had the opportunity to learn about patient-centered care both in theory and practice. In the classroom, we studied the principles of patient-centered care, learning about its importance in improving patient outcomes and satisfaction. During my clinical rotations, I had the opportunity to apply these principles in real-world settings. I learned to listen to my patients, understand their concerns, and involve them in decision-making processes. I also learned to consider their cultural, emotional, and psychological needs when planning and providing care.

 In my practice, I strive to exemplify patient-centered care in every interaction. A particularly poignant example of this was during my clinical rotation in an obstetrics unit. I was assisting a patient who was about to undergo a cesarean section with spinal anesthesia. She was visibly afraid, crying, and asked me to hold her while she received the injection. At that moment, I realized that my role extended beyond just providing medical care; I was there to offer emotional support and comfort as well. I held her, providing a reassuring presence during a frightening procedure. This experience was a powerful reminder of the importance of patient-centered care. It was not just about the medical procedure, but about understanding and responding to her emotional needs in that moment. These experiences have reinforced my belief in the importance of patient-centered care. I am committed to continually improving my skills in this area, to provide the best possible care to my patients. As I move forward in my nursing career, I will continue to prioritize patient-centered care in all aspects of my practice.

 

Safety

Understanding, learning, and exemplifying safety in nursing is a crucial aspect of providing high-quality patient care. Safety in nursing refers to the prevention of harm to patients during the process of healthcare delivery. This involves implementing measures to reduce the risk of adverse events related to medical care, such as medication errors, falls, and infections. Creating a safe environment enhances the quality of care and improves patient outcomes.

Throughout my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, I delved into the importance of safety in healthcare settings. I studied various safety protocols and guidelines, including infection control measures, safe medication administration, and fall prevention strategies. This theoretical knowledge was then put into practice during my clinical rotations, where I had the opportunity to apply these safety principles in real-world settings. I learned to identify potential hazards, implement safety measures, and advocate for patient safety.

In my practice, I strive to exemplify safety in every aspect of patient care. For instance, during my clinical rotation in a pediatric unit, I was responsible for administering medications to patients. I diligently followed the "five rights" of medication administration - right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, and right time - to ensure patient safety.

In another instance, while working in a geriatric unit, I implemented fall prevention strategies. This included ensuring clear walkways, using non-slip mats, and educating patients and their families about fall risks.

These experiences have reinforced my commitment to patient safety. I understand that safety is a fundamental aspect of nursing care and I am committed to continuously improving my skills and knowledge in this area. As I move forward in my nursing career, I will continue to prioritize patient safety in all aspects of my practice.

Teamwork and Collaboration

Teamwork and collaboration are fundamental competencies in nursing. They involve working effectively within nursing and inter-professional teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect and shared decision-making to achieve quality patient care. It's about understanding and valuing the roles and responsibilities of other team members and collaborating to provide the best possible care for patients.

Throughout my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, I delved into the importance of teamwork and collaboration in healthcare settings. I studied various team models and strategies for effective communication and collaboration. During my clinical rotations, I had the opportunity to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, which included doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and social workers. This experience allowed me to understand the roles and responsibilities of each team member and how to collaborate effectively to provide patient care.

During my clinical rotation in a surgical unit, I was part of a multidisciplinary team caring for a post-operative patient. Despite my primary role being monitoring the patient's vital signs, I actively communicated with the team about the patient's status. This experience highlighted the importance of teamwork and collaboration in providing effective patient care, showing me that every team member's contribution, regardless of their role, is vital.

In another instance, while working on a group project in my nursing program, I collaborated with my peers to develop a patient education program. We divided tasks based on our strengths and interests, communicated regularly to update each other on progress, and worked together to create a comprehensive and effective program.

These experiences have reinforced my commitment to teamwork and collaboration. I understand that effective teamwork and collaboration are crucial for providing high-quality patient care, and I am committed to continuously improving my skills in this area. As I move forward in my nursing career, I will continue to prioritize teamwork and collaboration in all aspects of my practice.

Quality Improvement

Quality improvement is a crucial competency in nursing that involves using data to monitor the outcomes of care processes and using improvement methods to design and test changes to improve the quality and safety of healthcare systems continuously. It's about understanding that healthcare is a system of interrelated parts, and changes in one area can impact outcomes in another.

Throughout my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, I learned about the importance of quality improvement in healthcare. I studied various quality improvement models and strategies and learned how to use data to identify areas for improvement and measure the effectiveness of interventions.

During my clinical rotations, I had the opportunity to observe quality improvement initiatives in action. For instance, in one of my rotations in an obstetrics unit, I observed a quality improvement project aimed at increasing skin-to-skin contact between mothers and babies after cesarean sections. The team collected data, identified areas for improvement, and implemented changes. Although I was not directly involved in the data collection or implementation, observing the process gave me valuable insights into how quality improvement works in a real-world setting.

In another instance, during a community health rotation, I observed a project aimed at improving vaccination rates in a local community. The team conducted a survey to understand the reasons for low vaccination rates and developed an education program to address misconceptions about vaccines. Observing this process reinforced the importance of community engagement and education in improving public health outcomes.

These experiences have reinforced my commitment to quality improvement. I understand that continuous improvement is crucial for providing high-quality patient care, and I am committed to continuously improving my skills and knowledge in this area. As I move forward in my nursing career, I will continue to prioritize quality improvement in all aspects of my practice.

Informatics

Informatics in nursing is a critical competency that involves the use of information and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision-making. It's about leveraging technology to enhance patient care and improve healthcare outcomes.

Throughout my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, I gained a solid understanding of the role of informatics in healthcare. I learned about various healthcare technologies, including electronic health records (EHRs), telehealth platforms, and decision support systems. I also studied the principles of data management and learned how to use data to inform clinical decision-making.

During my clinical rotations, I had the opportunity to apply this knowledge in real-world settings. I used EHRs to document patient information, monitor patient progress, and communicate with other healthcare professionals. I also used decision support systems to inform my clinical decision-making and provide evidence-based care to my patients.

In my practice, I strive to leverage informatics to enhance patient care. I am always looking for ways to use technology to improve efficiency, enhance communication, and support decision-making. I also understand the importance of data privacy and security, and I am committed to upholding the highest standards in this regard.

These experiences have reinforced my commitment to informatics. I understand that technology is a powerful tool that can greatly enhance the quality of care we provide to our patients. As I move forward in my nursing career, I will continue to prioritize informatics and seek out opportunities to develop my skills in this area further.