In June I started my first placement at a rest home care facility. It was a whole new experience to me and I worked with Registered Nurses (RN 's) plus Care Assistants (CA 's) for the majority of the time I was there. Even though the time I spent with the RN 's was limited I had learnt many new things in particular the way they constantly kept the residents and their family members up to date and educated on whatever was currently going on with the resident themselves. Witnessing this I came to realize that educating others is a big role you undertake as a nurse and the best way to educate patients is to be educated yourself in what you 're talking about to them. There was one scenario that stood out to me the most while I was working with an RN at the rest home care facility that involved a man that couldn 't speak English and it was dire that the nurses kept him and his family educated about what was currently going on with this man. It was early in the morning and handover had just begun. One of the other RN 's found that this man had Gout at the tip of his finger the night before. The RN and I began our rounds that morning and eventually went and seen the man at around breakfast time. The RN noticed that the man had managed to cut open the Gout ulcer and the wound would need to be dressed as soon as possible. Because the man could not speak English this became a communication barrier between him and the RN and it was difficult because she could not properly educate him
Nursing homes and assisted facility homes are all examples of long term care facilities. These facilities are usually targeting individuals who are of geriatric age or need around the clock care (mental health and physical health). The residents in these communities have access to individually-tailored levels of individual or group-centered activities, programs, and assistance whether it is with home or personal care. Long term care facilities are generally for those who are unable to manage independently in the community. Specific types of long-term services include nursing homes, hospice care, home health agencies, and residential care facilities. The goal of these programs is to make sure each patient has a safe and comforting environment
One notable hospital experience that is still on my mind deals with a woman in her 80s, who had been admitted for a few days. The unit secretary informed me of this story. While she was hospitalized, her family came to visit her everyday, and one of those nights the patient asked
To the Public/Clients: Nursing is a profession that is responsible to patients and also to public. It is the right of the society to expect the best possible quality of care. So it is essential for nurses to stay abreast of current best practices. Nurses should have the knowledge of updated systems and modern equipments. Attending seminars and conferences, completing required competency tests, reading related books and articles, and complying with the required certifications are some of the ways to be proficient with the changes taking place in nursing field. Nurses should be aware of consumer’s increased level of knowledge and the increased accessibility to information from various sources (Hood, 2010, p. 307-308). Nurses are expected to be exercising reasonable judgment and deliver reasonable care to patients. Nurses have the obligation to act in the best interest of the patient. For example, recently one of my patients expressed her wish to change her code status. She stated that she is very tired because of her critical illness. She wants to go home to die peacefully. She told me that since her family is not listening to her wish she is frustrated. I informed her about hospice care at home and she requested to get more information from them. As a responsible nurse, I spoke with the physician and got the order for hospice evaluation for that patient. Finally, she was able to go home under hospice care. This shows the
“The Palace” is located in the heart of the gables. It is one of the top notch awarded nursing home facilities for seniors stated by many families. Currently being an employee at this facility, I am learning the frightful stories of senior living. Even the Palace one of the most expensive, awarded senior living is actually a terrible place for the elderly. Especially, working at the Front Desk as the receptionist, I have seen firsthand how these poor seniors are forced into these haunted “luxurious” homes. The marble of the building has been often a misleading reason for placing their parent or grandparent in such terrible care. Most humans tend to judge by the appearance of the nursing homes rather than further investigating any violations that the facilities may have. From my own experience with my grandmother, I know it can be very difficult to take care of a senior citizen, especially when they suffer from various conditions and are just not safe in their home. Once adults become seniors, they require a lot of attention and assistance, which is hard when running a whole household and a career. But placing your loved one in one of these facilities can just shorten the amount of time they have to live. Also, it can be very expensive. Lastly, nursing home makes seniors feel the lack of freedom.
In today’s healthcare system, nursing is a challenging field as a result of rapid technological advances and changes in healthcare policies. As a dedicated nursing professional, with a great passion for learning, I strive to stay on top of these changes. I am determined to increase my knowledge to be an instrumental part of providing quality healthcare. The demands of nursing are high; however the rewards are even higher. Nursing requires both a supreme understanding of the science of health, and a caring bedside manner befitting only those who seek a position of such a personal involvement in the well-being of a patient. Academically, I will put forth all of
During the past few shifts, I have been astonished, and thankful about how often the nurses, doctors, and respiratory therapists have been providing me with learning opportunities. I feel this is because they have observed my enthusiasm and willingness to learn. For example, I asked a nurse if I could observe her giving care to a 24-week old preemie with necrotizing entercolitis. This nurse explained, that because of this baby’s immature age, she had to cluster the baby’s cares, and monitor this baby’s oxygen saturation. If the baby was overly stimulated her oxygen saturation would decrease, and the nurse needed to stop working with the baby. This nurse also pulled up a PowerPoint about NEC, so I had a visual of this baby’s condition. She provided me with a NICU parent book, and I read the section about NEC. This nurse said that she gives NICU parents this book to read, so that they have a better understanding about their baby’s condition. This is an awesome education technique that I want to adopt. This is because the parents will hear the diagnosis explained from the doctor and nurse. They may or
The delivery of Healthcare is a high touch enterprise that calls for interaction among every stakeholder within the healthcare sphere. Communication, whether interpersonal or intrapersonal, is a crucial part of these dealings and may be transformed by the intellectual use of communication tools. Information is the means of support of healthcare. Therefore, communication systems are the backbone that supports the whole idea. Care of patients in the nursing homes now almost unavoidably entails many different people, all with the need to share patient information and talk about their organization. As a result
The long-term care services delivery system in the United States has changed substantially over the last 30 years . There are approximately 17,000 elderly and disabled persons are receiving care in nursing homes (NNHS, 2004). The number of people using nursing facilities, alternative residential care places, or home care services are projected to increase from 15 million in 2000 to 27 million in 2050 (HHS, 2003). Identifying the best nursing home that would fit their needs can be difficult and time-consuming. Although nursing homes usually provide certain basic care that patients need, some nursing home facilities provides special care for certain types of individuals with special needs. For example, people with dementia, AIDS, ventilator-dependents,
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.
The following essay is a reflective account on an event that I, a student nurse encountered whilst on my second clinical placement in my first year of study. The event took place in a Fountain Nursing Home in Granite City. I have chosen to give thought to the event described in this essay as I feel that it highlights the need for nurses to have effective communication skills especially when treating patients that are suffering with a mental illness. Upon arriving to the Nursing home for the second time on Thursday November 14,2013; assigned the same patient as before. On meeting my patient the first thing I noticed myself doing without even thinking about it was giving her a visual inspection. Before nursing school I never really looked at
I ambitiously decided that I would brighten the lives of the elderly by volunteering at a rest home, but discovered that the elderly were being neglected, shoved aside and forgotten. As I stepped into the home a pungent odor penetrated my nostrils, causing an instantaneous gagging reflex. The place was abounded with neglected and subdued inhabitants, yearning for attention. Anybody that passed them caused a sudden outburst of ranting. The negligence and disregard the home displayed appalled me, but helped me to realize that I wanted to make a difference and change the condition people live in.
The character Dorothy said in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, “there is no place like home” (Baum, 1960, p. 45). Sadly, many of our elderly live in Long Term Care Facilities (LTCF). The transition from living in their own homes, to living in a LTCF, can be a traumatic experience. Poor adaptation to a LTCF may cause depression, malnutrition and significantly reduce the lifespan of the elder. Thus, it is imperative, that nurse’s recognize this promptly.
What are the most distressing moral events encountered by RN’s and how frequently are these events experienced in practice?
“Young people need something stable to hang on to- a cultural connection, a sense of their own past, a hope for their own future. Most of all, they need what grandparents can give them.” This quote by Jay Kesler hits the nail on the head. There is so much to learn and to glean from our grandparents. I know not everyone is lucky enough to have grandparents as they either have passed away, or maybe there just isn’t an enjoyable relationship between the grandparents and their grandkids. For those whose grandparents are still alive, I urge them to reach out, visit them and learn about history from their perspective, learn what it was like back in the 20s, 30s and 40s. If you don’t have living grandparents, go visit a nursing home! My mother has worked at nursing homes since I was a little girl and let me tell you, those who don’t have dementia, love talking about their younger years, and about how life was for them when they were kids. My favorite time of the year was summer time, not due to school being out, but for the reason that it was the time I got to spend with just my grandparents, discovering facts about our family, developing home economical skills like gardening, baking and the inevitable chores and of course going on trips.
As a home care nurse, I am designated to care for a 56-year old female patient that presents with lymphoma which has metastasized to her spine, and is presently in quest for chemotherapy treatment.