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Alexander Gianquitti

Robert Vincent

HDF 417

26 April 2019

Final Internship Analysis

Over the course of this semester I have taken part in two different internships where I was

able to develop my strengths and learn valuable information and skills that better prepared me

for my future as a healthcare provider and servant leader. The two places that I interned for were

Westerly Healthcare Center (WHC) and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). While

completing my internships over this semester, I was able to achieve my established learning

outcomes that I established at the beginning of the internship process. In this analysis of my

internships, I will explain how I met my learning outcomes, became integrated into the cultures

of my workplaces, built relationships with my colleagues, and personally changed as a result of

completing this internship experience.

During my internship at Westerly Healthcare Center, the learning outcomes that I

planned on achieving were, “(a1) I will be able to apply nursing skills and concepts in the

clinical setting. (a2) I will be able identify problems, evaluate problem-solving strategies, and

develop strategic solutions. (a3) I will be able to demonstrate proper technique of skills learned

in the clinical setting. (a4) I will be able to characterize and identify patient issues and implement

a proper care plan.” In the first four weeks of my internships, I had to complete training for skills

that I would be practicing in the nursing home. When I went to Westerly Healthcare Center, I

was able to perform the skills that I learned during training; these skills included bathing,
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feeding, toileting, and positioning the patients in the facility (a1). During some of my

interactions with the patients, my supervisor Jan would come in to observe and make sure I was

using proper techniques of the skills that were taught. She made sure that we were wearing the

proper protective equipment and used good hand hygiene. She was able to assure me that I was

demonstrating proper technique when practicing my skills on the patient (a2).

Things didn’t always run smoothly at WHC; so when problems arose during my

internship, I was able to develop a plan and strategies to overcome the issue. For example, one of

my patients was unable to verbally communicate or feed themselves, so I had to adapt to the

problem and devise a plan to help feed my patient his food. My strategy was to incorporate

nonverbal communication like nods of the head for confirmation, as well as making sure my

patient chewed and swallowed all the food in his mouth before giving another bite (a3). My final

learning outcome included being able to identify patient issues and develop a proper care plan.

At my workplace, I was able to interview a patient and write-up a complete care plan based on

her risk for falling due to impaired balance. In my care plan I included considerations such as

watching out for environmental hazards that could be tripped on and performing assessments for

balance and walking (a4).

By working to meet my learning outcomes at WHC, I was able to be integrated into the

culture of the workplace. The culture of any healthcare facility is fairly busy with workers

running around to complete tasks and patients in need of care. I feel like I was integrated

immediately into the culture of WHC on my first day because I was put right to work by my

supervisor, Jan, with a full schedule of what I needed to complete that day. However, not every

one of my tasks was able to be completed on my own, so I was able to work with colleagues to
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accomplish my duties. By working along side my colleagues to accomplish my tasks, I was able

to build and maintain relationships. I did this by constantly asking questions about how to work

with the patients, how different medical equipment worked, and conversing in small talk during

down-time. Becoming acclimated to the culture of WHC was a great way to gain a feeling for

what my future in the healthcare field will look like.

After being integrated into the culture of WHC and building relationships with my

colleagues at the workplace, I was eventually able to make an effect on the atmosphere of the

workplace. Whenever I was at my internship site, I would make sure I had a positive attitude and

willingness to learn. Just by acting kind to the other employees of WHC, I would see a

noticeable difference in their attitudes. It was clear that they were willing to answer my questions

and help me with any tasks that I needed help completing. As a result of my experience at this

worksite, I have changed to develop a better sense of communication with my colleagues and

with patients in a healthcare setting. When talking to patients, I learned that it is important to be

empathetic and listen to what they have to say in order to provide the best treatment possible for

them. I can take this skill and incorporate it into my leadership style by being empathetic and

listening to what others have to say and considering their needs in a group.

During my other internship at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the learning

outcomes that I planned on achieving were, “(b1) I will be able to demonstrate the ability to

organize meetings and set agendas. (b2) I will be able demonstrate the ability to work with and in

collaboratives / coalitions. (b3) I will be able to demonstrate how to successfully plan and run a

fundraising event. (b4) I will be able to demonstrate how to advocate and raise awareness for a

non-profit organization.” In the first couple weeks of my internship with LLS, I recognized the
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importance of organization and creating an agenda. This was one of the first things that I

completed with my supervisor, Carla. We created a schedule for when to meet and set up dates

for when specific things would be done; like getting a sponsor for events or creating

advertisements for events (b1). LLS also has numerous employees that I was able to talk to and

acquire assistance from. During my internship, I was able to work with my colleagues to create a

5k race fundraiser event for the organization (b2). This race, called the SuperHero Run took

place on April 27th, 2019. There was a lot of planning and preparation that went into this event.

We had to book a date and site for the race, find places for food and water donations, order

t-shirts, contact potential sponsors, create a registration website, and much more. All the

planning that was done prior to the race day, is what made the event so successful. On the day of

the race, our event team had to make sure everyone was in their correct locations, participants

were happy and accommodated for, and everything was running smoothly (b3). My final

learning outcome included advocation and raising awareness for LLS. I was able to advocate and

raise awareness for LLS by posting of social media, fundraising for the organization, and hosting

the 5k event (b4).

By working to meet my learning outcomes at LLS, I was able to be integrated into the

culture of the workplace. The culture of LLS is very focused and positive. I was able to be

integrated into the culture very easily because I am also a focused, driven, and positive person.

Everyone at LLS was optimistic and kind, which made building and maintaining relationships

with my colleagues very casual. Getting acclimated to the environment of a non-profit

organization has greater expanded my horizon to the opportunities of service. Being able to

easily integrate myself into the workplace and work with people who were so driven and
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passionate about finding a cure for blood cancer made me want to get more involved with the

organization after my internship experience.

After being integrated into the culture of LLS and building relationships with my

colleagues at the workplace, I was able to make an effect on the atmosphere. Similar to my

internship at Westerly Healthcare Center, I bought a positive attitude and willingness to learn

and contribute. The people working at LLS were more than willing to answer my questions about

what happens at a non-profit organization on a daily basis. By simply being present and willing

to learn about the organization brought an optimistic vibe to the workplace. I was also very

adamant to contribute to projects and events that were in the process of being planned which

seemed to be helpful to my colleagues. As a result of my experience at this worksite, I have

grown a greater appreciation for non-profit organizations. There is a lot of work that goes into

keeping LLS up and running in a mission to find a cure for blood cancer. After my college

career, I hope to be able to do service with a non-profit organization like the Leukemia and

Lymphoma Society, and continue my servant leadership post-graduation.

Overall, I believe that my internships could not have gone better. I have learned so much

from each of my workplaces, supervisors, and colleagues. As a result of participating in my

internships, I have gained a stronger sense of how to communicate with patients in healthcare

setting, and how to plan and execute a fundraising event for a non-profit organization. I will take

these skills with me after I graduate from the University of Rhode Island and utilize them in my

career as a healthcare provider and servant leader.