Nursing Reflective Essay

The additional course work enhances the student’s professional development, prepares the new nurse for a broader scope of practice, and provides the nurse with a better understanding of the cultural, political, economic, and social issues that affect patients and influence health care delivery.” (American Association of Colleges of Nursing (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], 2012, p. 1)

Throughout my time on the Mother Baby Care Unit, I have faced many instances in which I have been able to reflect on both my patients and the care that I was providing them. One situation in particular that I found myself critically reflecting upon involved a new mother who was feeling slightly stressed about being discharged as her newborn son would not be going home with her. For confidentiality reasons, this patient will be given the pseudonym of Kayla for the remainder of this reflection.

Target population was pregnant women less than fourteen weeks gestation that had a sedentary lifestyle. The researcher used two data collection instruments to complete this study. The first is The Cornell Protocol Fitness Tool that measured cardiovascular fitness level and peak oxygen consumption. The second data collection instrument used was The Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire assessed energy expenditure and daily physical activity. Candidates were excluded if they had chronic hypertension, gestational diabetes, and any medical condition that will prohibit daily exercise, communication problems, or recommendation of primary care provider not to participate (Yeo 2009).

As my senior year here at Jersey College of Nursing moves quickly to its end, I reflect on how far I have come and what exactly my experience here at Jersey College of Nursing has meant to me.

Nursing is more than traveling room to room, patient to patient, to provide medical care. Nursing is about treating the patient with the utmost respect and compassion. It’s more than providing medical care, but supporting the patient and family. Being a nurse only requires a bachelor degree and a “RN” badge, however, a great nurse possesses that knowledge, along with determination, a positive attitude, compassion, and patience. I believe that I display these characteristics and have a true passion for helping others. Throughout high school, I always had an interest in the medical field and biology. In my junior year, I decided to enroll in the CNA course to pursue my passion for nursing early on. Through this class, I experienced moments of self discovery

This essay will discuss a clinical skill in which I have become competent in practicing as a student nurse.

Arguably, nursing school has been one of my most significant challenges to date. In part, I have been successful because I appreciate the intensity the accelerated nursing program offers, and I pursue additional opportunities to immediately apply my knowledge. In addition to my courseload, I teach CPR to expectant families at Pennsylvania Hospital, work as a clinical researcher at HUP, and volunteer as an EMT for the Narberth Ambulance Company. Further, I seek feedback and advice from mentors and instructors during the program. Finally, my undergraduate career, and particularly some of my more demanding classes like organic chemistry, offered an opportunity to understand strategies that work – or don’t – in learning difficult material, and I apply this knowledge to meet the academic challenges of the program. I want to challenge myself moving forward, as I work towards becoming a leader in primary care.

Nursing can be a demanding career, but the benefits far much outweigh the challenges. Most importantly, it’s the rewards it offers by allowing an opportunity to make a difference in another person’s life through the provision of care when they need it. Just as Patricia Benner theorized in her book “Novice to Expert,” nursing encompasses both educational knowledge and extensive clinical experience acquired throughout one’s career. This far, I continue to acquire knowledge and clinical knowhow which will promote proper and efficient care to patients. Since I began practicing one year ago in a long-term healthcare facility, I have interacted with patients, families, physicians and other members of the healthcare team to coordinate patient’s care which has enabled me to gain confidence in myself. While I cannot deny that it was difficult to transition from a student to a licensed nurse, I learnt to overcome these challenges and focus on my strengths. Practicing as an LPN has provided a platform to learn and gain experience even though the duties and responsibilities are limited by the scope of practice.

My practicum setting will be an associate degree nursing program, Joliet Junior College (JJC), one of the oldest community colleges in Illinois. The mission of the school is focused on offering students an affordable, accessible valued education for a lifelong profession in nursing, and to serve the community (Joliet Junior College [JJC], n. d.). Accordingly, the school’s philosophy is based on preparing students to be exceptional providers in the growing healthcare system, providing safe and high quality care (JJC, n. d.). The foundation of the JJC nursing program is based on four major principles: client, environment, health and nursing (JJC, n.d), while their conceptual framework is grounded in the fundamental structure of three major theories which forms the basis of the concepts, skills, and principles of the nursing practice (JJC, n. d.). The three major theories are: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Levels of Prevention and the Nursing Process (JJC, n.d.). Joliet Junior College nursing school offers a competitive program and combines the traditional classroom experiences, in-class high-fidelity simulations labs, online augmentation theory lectures, and clinical experiences in health facilities throughout the community (Joliet Junior College [JJC], 2016).

In this case study I will use Gibbs (1988) model of reflection to write a personal account of an abdominal examination carried out in general practice under the supervision of my mentor, utilising the skills taught during the module thus far.

The objective of this reflection is to explore and reflect upon a situation from a clinical placement on an orthopedic unit. The incident showed that I did not provide safe, timely and competent care for my patient when the oxygen saturation was low. Furthermore, this reflection will include a description of the incident, and I will conclude with explaining what I have learned from the experience and how it will change my future actions.

Reflective Practice Introduction: Reflection its self is looking into personal thoughts and actions. For nurses this would mean looking at how they performed a particular task taking into consideration their interaction with their colleagues and other members of staff, patients and in some cases relatives This then enables the nurse to assess their actions and thought processes. There are various frameworks of reflection that one could choose and the examples used for this work is by Gibbs (1988), Johns (2000) and Benner (1982) Gibbs: Gibbs reflective cycle encourages one to think in order about the different areas of an experience. It is presented in a number of questions that the reflective practitioner

As I only have an Associate’s degree in Nursing, much of this information is unfamiliar to me. I have not been exposed to the contents of this course before and thus the reasons I would like to set a foundation of theories for professional nursing practice. Much of the information in this course is imperative in maintain an appropriate and professional role in nursing.

I am striving to achieve professionalism and growth in roles and values while going through the bachelor’s degree in nursing program. I plan on taking each class one at a time, try to do my best, and gain the knowledge needed to grow in the nursing profession. By October 2010, I should obtain my bachelor’s degree in nursing, which will provide new opportunities, such as management, and educator positions. A bachelor’s degree in nursing will provide the opportunity to further my education to a master’s degree level.

The following reflection demonstrates my awareness for my own cultural influences. Through the cultural lenses of a student nurse and a tennis member. They have impacted the way I view others and is a guidance to my bicultural professional health care relationship.