Running head: PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO

CLPNA Competency
Kyra Scheuerman
NorQuest College
NFDN 2004
Shelly Dugas
Assignment 2: Professional Portfolio
April 7, 2016

PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO

Report on Progress of Professional Portfolio

IDENTIFY

Major Competency Area: K, Maternal/Newborn Care

COMPETENCY

Competency: K-3, Knowledge and Assessment of Labor

NUMBER, LETTER

Subcategory: K-3-1, Demonstrate knowledge of stages of labor and

AND SUBCATEGORY

delivery.
When it comes to the stages of labour and delivery, I believe the

DESCRIBE ONE
SIGNIFICANT
LEARNING
EXPERIENCE IN THIS
COURSE RELATED
TO THE

CLPNA

most influential experience I have obtained thus far was from

lecture in Nursing Foundations 2004 where the instructor discussed
labor and delivery and the four stages of labor. I now feel confident
in this skill and know that I could determine what stage of labor a

COMPETENCY.

woman is in by how much her cervix is dilated, if she is delivering

PROVIDE AN

a baby or the placenta or if she is in recovery.

EXAMPLE
DESCRIBE WHAT

I learned that there are four stages of labor. The first stage is called the

YOU LEARNED AND

HOW IT RELATES TO
THE COMPETENCY.

EXPLAIN WHY IT

labour stage and it refers the onset of strong, regular contractions to

until the cervix is fully dilated at 10 centimeters. It lasts on average for
about 12 hours. In the first stage there are three phases as well.
This first phase, which is called early labour is when the cervix is

WAS MEANINGFUL.

dilated 0-3cms and contractions are approximately 5 minutes apart and

lasting about 20 seconds. The next phase is called active labour and in
this phase the cervix is dilated 4-7cms and contractions become
stronger lasting 40-60 seconds and occur every 3-5 minutes. The last
phase is the transition phase and in this stage contractions become even

PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO

more intense lasting at least 60 seconds and occur every 2-3 minutes.
In this phase the cervix is 8-10cms dilated. This is the stage where
women will start to feel the need to push.
The second stage is called the pushing stage and this is the stage where
the mothers cervix is fully dilated and she gives birth to the baby.

The third stage is called the placental stage and this is the stage where
the mother delivers the placenta. This usually occurs about 30 minutes
after the baby has been delivered. In this stage a nurse can help by
pushing on the abdomen during contractions and if a episiotomy was
preformed than this is the stage when the doctor will also added
DESCRIBE WHAT

sutures.

YOU LEARNED AND

HOW IT RELATES TO
THE COMPETENCY.

EXPLAIN WHY IT
WAS MEANINGFUL.
(CONTINUED)

The fourth stage is called the post partum stage and this is the stage up
to 24 hours after the mother has finished given birth. This is important
because within the first 24 hours is when it is most likely that the
mother could start to hemorrhage. For baby, this time period is when
respiratory distress or hypoglycemic episodes may occur.

It is important to be aware of all of the stages of labor because each

stage has its own potential complications that can go along with it and
it is the nurses job to make sure that everything is running smoothly
and that they react quickly and effectively if a problem does arise.

PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO

USE THE

I would rate my proficiency in the competency of maternal nursing

PROFICIENCY

care as good because I understand the stages of labor and delivery and

CATEGORIES TO

why it is important to understand in the nursing practice. To achieve

RATE YOUR
PROFICIENCY IN THE
CHOSEN

this competency I went to class and listened to the instructor while

following along with the PowerPoint. Also I have reviewed my notes

CLPNA

COMPETENCY.

EXPLAIN WHAT WAS

DONE TO ACHIEVE

multiple times to really familiarize myself with the material presented.

Overall, I met this skill well and met the expectations and requirements
of the competency.

THE COMPETENCY.

In my nursing career as a student and a professional I will use this skill

to assist mothers going through the labor and delivery process. Using
this skill over the years to come will assist patients in understanding
DESCRIBE HOW YOU

what is happening to them during labor and delivery and will help keep

WILL APPLY THIS

the mom relaxed by letting her know that what she is going through is

LEARNING IN YOUR
CURRENT AND
FUTURE NURSING
PRACTICE

natural. This skill will also help me to identify any potential problems
as they begin to arise so the healthcare team can prevent complications
to the best of their abilities as soon as possible. As for right now as a
student, I will use this knowledge when I go out to clinical if the
situation arises and to assist in passing my NDFN 2004 maternity
exams.

Student Name: __Kyra Scheuerman_______________________________________________

Course: __NFDN 2004 A04_______________________________________________________
Date: __April 8, 2016

________________________________________________________

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Instructor/Tutor: _Shelly Dugas____________________________________________________