Report on Progress of Professional Portfolio

Identify: Competency
Number, Letter, and
Subcategory

Describe one
significant learning
experience in this
course related to the
CLPNA competency.
Provide an example.

Describe what you

learned and how it
relates to the
competency. Explain
why it was
meaningful.

R: Community Health/Nursing
R-1-3: Demonstrate Knowledge of Social Determinants of Health and
How They Impact Individuals, Groups and Communities.

In this course, I have not been able to partake in real-life scenarios. I

however have throughout my previous clinical cared for many patients
who had a great deal of social determinants of health. Social
determinants such as no income or shelter; illnesses and addictions. I
saw not only the effects that these determinants of health held on the
individual, but the family, hospitals and community.
From my experience, Ive seen how these social determinants of health
leave the individual feeling hopeless; as if theyre a burden; like
there is no way out; worried or anxious; or even the odd individual
who sees no apparent issue with their life circumstances. It can either
hold a great effect on the family, or none at all if social determinants
are prominent throughout, or theyve simply grown used to it. To
those that it affects, they might feel saddened and helpless, trying to
help, but without success or the necessary means. For the hospital?
Beds. Many beds taken up by homeless and addicts, who repeatedly
require visits, or are never discharged, which takes away beds from
others coming in with illnesses. And to society These determinants
are either met with the desire to help and to change these ill
circumstances; or those who truly do feel that these individuals are a
burden, taking up resources and our tax money.
The term social determinants of health has many different definitions
according to different forms of legislation, as well as groups (such as
WHO and Health Canada). Rachael from WHO has defined it as the
economic and social conditions that shape the health of individuals,
communities and jurisdictions as a whole Social determinants of
health are about the quantity and quality of a variety of resources that a
society makes available to its members (Rachael, 2009, p. 3).
According to WHO, they include addiction as a social determinant of
heath. This is something that should be acknowledged more frequently.
Ive seen this determinant first hand, through watching someone I
loved waste their life away on drugs, while unable to afford food, pay
rent, or even keep his job. Ive also seen this in friends, school mates
and coworkers. I have seen addictions throughout Edmonton as well.
The hospitals there, where beds are full of people suffering from
addictions, many who are homeless as a result of it, and their health is
essentially un-repairable. (Community Health Nursing, 2011, 17 &
330-334).

Use the Proficiency

Categories to rate
your proficiency in
your chosen CLPNA
competency. Explain
what was done to
achieve this rating.

This is meaningful because not everyone necessarily views addiction

as a determinant of health, but simply as a bad choice, and
something that these individuals should simply change.. However,
they cannot fully see the big picture; that the individuals addiction is
not something that they have control of, and that it is affecting their
health and well-being, and potentially their ability to maintain a job,
proper nutrition or even shelter.
I would rate my proficiency in this category as good. The reason why I
feel that this proficiency is suitable, it because it is a topic and issue in
which I already hold previous knowledge and experience on, and have
expanded my knowledge throughout this course.

I will without a doubt apply this knowledge in my future nursing

career. Determinants of health are everywhere, and substance abuse
and addiction are becoming more and more prominent in todays
society, especially in our youth. I have already dealt with addictions
Describe how you will
throughout my work, my education and seeing people in my life
apply this learning in
struggle with them, as well as other determinants such as
your current and
homelessness, low or no income.
future learning
Through my experience and this course, I will have deeper knowledge
practice.
in how to address, and care for individuals coming in with
determinants of health. I also am now aware of more groups,
information, and resources that can be used and provided to those who
are wanting a change and to better their lives.
Student Name: Beverly McGuckin
Course: NFDN 2006 Community Nursing
Date: January 3, 2017
Instructor/Tutor: Fauziya Ali