How to Write a Nursing Exemplar in 2023/24
Understanding the Purpose of a Nursing Exemplar
When faced with the task of creating a nursing exemplar for your assignment, it might initially seem daunting. However, once you grasp the objective, the process becomes more manageable. The primary aim of a nursing exemplar is to thoroughly describe a specific clinical scenario.
Definition of a Nursing Exemplar
A nursing exemplar is a real-life patient narrative that showcases an RN’s experience. It is written in the first person and delves deeply into a particular clinical event, including the nurse’s thoughts, emotions, goals, actions, critical thinking, and decision-making process.
Selecting a Nursing Exemplar
The nursing exemplar often chooses you. It is a situation that holds significant meaning and stands out in your memory. It conveys important information, intentions, or reflects exceptional or flawed practice. Such instances are memorable and often replay in your mind.
Writing a Nursing Exemplar
To create a standout nursing exemplar, follow these steps:
1. Present it as a Narrative Account:
Write the nursing exemplar as a narrative account, using the first-person perspective.
2. Include Oral Reporting:
Consider oral narration as it helps express ideas, feelings, and concerns more naturally.
3. Get a Coworker to Read Your Work:
Have a coworker, preferably someone involved in the patient’s treatment, review your account for additional insights.
4. Edit Your Story:
Avoid using generic terms or summary statements. Instead, provide specific details and outcomes.
5. Include Dialogue:
Whenever possible, include dialogue to offer a first-person account of the incident as it unfolded.
6. Be Confident:
To protect patient confidentiality, change identifying information like names, ages, and family details.
Creating Nursing Exemplars
Before you start, consider whether the narrative truly represents your clinical practice. Write down as much detail as possible about the scenario.
Elements to Include in a Nursing Exemplar
A nursing exemplar is a valuable tool for patient care, influencing nursing care plans and physician decisions. The following elements are essential in a nursing exemplar essay:
1. Date and Time: Include the date and time of the entry to organize the patient’s record and facilitate finding critical information.
2. Name of the Patient: Ensure identifying information is present to avoid documenting for the wrong patient.
3. Personal and Objective Data: Include subjective data provided by the patient and objective data observed by the nurse.
4. Assessment: Provide a comprehensive assessment, be it head-to-toe or targeted, depending on the purpose.
5. Interventions: Record every nursing intervention performed, whether instructions given or medication administered.
6. Evaluation: Evaluate the patient’s response to each intervention, tailor the content to the patient’s condition.
Elements to Omit in a Nursing Exemplar
When writing a nursing exemplar note, certain elements should be omitted, such as:
1. Symptoms without Intervention: Always include intervention and follow-up when describing symptoms.
2. Speculations: Avoid making assumptions about the patient’s thoughts or feelings. Focus on observed actions and statements.
3. Vague Terminology: Use precise and descriptive language to convey the patient’s condition and care.
4. Untimely Charting: Document care only after it has been completed, to avoid inaccuracies.
5. Family or Friend Information: Limit charting to relevant medical and care-related information.
Expert Tips for Writing an Excellent Nursing Exemplar
To create an outstanding nursing exemplar, consider the following tips:
1. Note Nursing Interventions Immediately: Avoid leaving out essential information by documenting actions promptly.
2. Maintain Descriptive Documentation: Use descriptive language to avoid misunderstandings.
3. Be Objective: Keep an objective perspective when writing narrative nurses’ notes, focusing on accurate data.
4. Add Additional Information When Necessary: Create separate entries to record new developments and events.
5. Provide Sufficient Details: Offer enough material to convey the patient’s condition, treatment, and emotional state.
6. Ensure Legible Handwriting: Ensure clarity in your documentation, especially if using paper notes.
What to Include in a Nursing Exemplar?
In a nursing exemplar, you should document everything observed as a nurse and essential medical information about the patient’s condition and response to treatments.
A Better Submission
After writing your exemplar, have it reviewed by several individuals, both clinical and non-clinical, to evaluate its clarity and understandability.
Nursing Exemplars to Support Student Writing
Exemplars can be valuable tools for helping students grasp essential concepts and evaluation requirements, providing a real connection to the material.
Final Thoughts
Creating outstanding nursing exemplars is a crucial skill. Follow the examples and writing guidelines provided in this article to produce a top-notch, professional nursing exemplar. Remember that detailed documentation is preferable to insufficient information, and always aim for excellence in your submissions.
