Reflecting on the time spent working in the Neuroscience Department at Sinai Hospital, I am grateful that I could be a part of this program. I am proud to say that I have evolved from the student nurse that applied for this position three months back. Working on the unit has given me the confidence needed to propel me into the next phase of the nursing program. As I prepare to go back to school, I will utilize the skills that I have learned to provide quality and safety to my patients. My first week was difficult. I was the new kid on the block that was going to get in the way of others. They did not say this, but their smile said it all. I did not know where anything was and the 12-hour shifts were something to talk about. My preceptor, Angelo, encouraged me to jump right in and to ask questions when I did not understand something or when I was overwhelmed. By the end of the week, I had learned the day to day routine of the unit, how to document assessments and hourly roundings. Additionally, my second week wasn’t as stressful. I felt more comfortable, but at the back of my mind, I knew it was going to be difficult. My preceptor and I would receive morning report, we would then look at the patients’ chart, and then document the medications the patients’ getting. After that, I would accompany my preceptor in giving the patients their medications. By the end of this week, I could give the patients their medication with assistance. I could efficiently perform and document my assessment and my hourly rounding.
Furthermore, in my third week, I was excited because I was going to learn a new skill. I was sleep deprived, but that wasn’t going to stop me from providing patient centered care. I did not know that I would oversee the patient’s and manage their medication. My preceptor was there for support, but essentially, I was administering the patient’s medication. I was also able to start IV antibiotics for a couple of the patients. The week was stressful at first, but the more I practiced the skills, the better I become at performing them. My preceptor was supportive and pushed me to progress to the next level, although I was hesitant.
Moreover, weeks four, five, and six were very eventful. I was starting
I was really proud of myself yesterday. I finally got the chance to get practice using IV pumps. I have been wanting to get practice with them for a long time, but never had the opportunity to. I was definitely nervous about it because I’ve never used the IV pumps, and I had no idea of what to expect. I think I did well with them pumps, and I think I didn’t show my nervousness. This week I do believe I made some improvements in areas where I needed to improve in. This week when my patient received a new medication, I was on top of getting the medication administered. The last time I was in Newberry I did not make my patients new order a priority like I should have. I am learning how to receive information from my nurse and determine its prority.
Even when last Friday week three was, it was the second time that I have a patient assigned to my care and as expected I was still feeling nervous due to the age of my patient. However, at the same time I was looking forward to experiencing taking care for a little one and be able to applied new nursing skills due to mu first interaction with a patients his age. The experience was very gratify and enjoyable to be able to help a little one to feel more comfortable while performing nursing skills. The fact that the instructor was with me during the assessment help me to feel more confident as well as be able to ask questions and concerts that developed during the assessment. My assigned patient has a twin who was also staying at the same unit but on a different room so it was very interesting to be able to interact with both twins and observed the development differences even when they are identical twins. The nurse assigned to care for the patient was very helpful and approachable as well which make things a lot easier going in reference to taking care for a little one for the first time besides OB rotation which was more observable and not so much hands on. So far, I am looking forward to next week rotation and excited about learning new
Looking back on this clinical day, I would state that I effectively met my overall goals for the day - Safely and efficiently administer medication, enhance my nursing/CNA skills, and determine how to implement infection control into a health care setting. During medication administration, I did come across some difficulties – dropping a few pills and being unsure of the medication in the med cart – but that did not prevent me from safely administering my medication. I completed the three medication checks, while ensuring that I recognized the six medication rights. This experience sanctioned me to acquire comfort in passing meds, and permitted me to see how to prioritize time when a patient takes numerous medications. Alongside medication
This self-reflective paper is focused on what I’ve learned about myself this semester regarding my strengths, and weaknesses. Concentrating on areas of my professional practice that need improvement and discussing two goals I have created for my self, and how I plan on achieving them. This semester I have discovered I have two key strengths those being a dedication to the practical nursing program, and seeking help in the program when I need it. This trait is hopefully carrying through as a strength in my nursing career. However, I have many weaknesses to work on as a student and future nurse. Along with my shortcomings, there are fears I have looking into the future, into CPE 1 and term 2. Those are the fears of not being good enough in
Week eight was the same as always. I began the day at eight in the morning to receive patients, print out superbills and doing the usual. I will soon be I find my clinic a bit repetitive, but I like it because I learn by repetition. As I was taking in patients a woman told me her son had the Flu. Her son is believed to have type b, or category B
My practice in nursing has been influenced by various elements within my career. I have come to embrace that nursing is a learning process and one should expect constructive criticism. When I began as a “novice,” I found myself nervous in some clinical situations but I managed to remain focused on
I sincerely believe that I accomplished my goals this week. I realized that I served 14 patients by combining the ability of knowledge, my attitude for excellence that I have consistently defeat the odds to become the very best Nurse practitioner; I can become. This clinical experience brings forth many opportunities and achievements. The most important experience this week; I had the ability to identify as primary healthcare provider a high risk need for the patient to be transferred to the Hospital for further evaluation without delay; due to complaints of “leg cold from the knee down to the feet”, which my evaluation was based on evidence practice knowledge of compassion and skill with the autonomy to practice, diagnose, and treat patients
The second week of my preceptorship brought many new experiences for me, and I can honestly say that each day I spend with my preceptor is better than the last. This week I focused on time management of a full patient load with continued documentation practice as well as admission and discharge procedures. I’ve had brief experiences in my past rotations assisting with discharge teaching and admission assessments however I have never been able to fully take charge and complete the process from start to finish, so this was a great learning opportunity for me.
I entered the La Clery Wellness Centre with the primary goal of putting what I have learnt so far in my schooling to practice and mastering these skills, mainly measuring vital signs. I also wanted to go about observing the duties of the health aide and getting acquainted with the staff and setting itself. However, my week required me doing more than I initially thought, in addition to learning additional skills. I did manage to go about achieving the aforementioned goals, especially that of measuring vitals. I not only performed the task in a primary health care setting but also in the home setting where I was ecstatic knowing I was competent enough to do them properly and know the rationale behind the process and the values obtained.
The purpose of this journal is to reflect on my experience and skills gained during my clinical placement at Ben Taub Hospital. On my first clinical day, I was excited and nervous at the same time. My first placement was in the PREOP/PACU area. I was assigned to help a patient who had been in the PACU area going on 2 days. Normally, once the patient comes from surgery they are only in the PACU area for a short period of time before they are discharged home or given a bed in another area of the hospital. This particular patient still had not received an assignment for a bed. The physicians would make their rounds to come check on him daily. The patient was a 28-year-old Hispanic male, non-English speaking, he had a hemicolectomy. He had a NG tube, urinary Foley catheter, and a wound vac. My preceptor had just clocked in and she needed to check on the patient’s vitals and notes from the previous nurse. Once she introduced me to the patient and explained while I was there, she then asked me to check his vitals. (Vital signs indicate the body’s ability to regulate body temperature, maintain blood flow, and oxygenate body tissues. Vital signs are important indicators of a client’s overall health status (Hogan, 2014). I froze for a quick second. I have practiced taking vitals numerous of times and I knew I could do it correctly. I started with the temperature first, when I was quickly corrected on a major mistake I had made by my preceptor. I HAD FORGOT TO WASH MY HANDS and PUT
Throughout the second half of the semester, I have not made any significant changes to my pre-clinical routine. I still prepare and gather my supplies the evening beforehand, and I try to avoid during schoolwork in order to facilitate restful sleep. However, upon arriving to the unit, I have developed a familiarity with the staff and environment that has reduced my stress and anxiety levels, allowing me to focus more attention on my patient assignment for the day. Although we do not have assigned preceptors, I have developed a mentoring relationship with two of the nurses on the unit and will work with those staff members if available. As we have gotten to know and trust one another, we do not have to spend the first part of our shift familiarizing ourselves,
I felt very excited for clinicals this semester even though it was only three days. I felt relaxed and awaited to provide safe patient care to the patients of Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital. I felt very good at the end of three days of clinical due to the fact I perform to the best of my abilities as a student. I felt strong during my drug administration by doing my three checks and making sure that all drugs compatible. Also, I did not contaminate when hanging IV medications or when I administered drugs through IV Push, IM, or Sub cut. I also felt I have finally have mastered patient teaching such as side effects of medications and self-care for patient with disease such as Diabetes. For example, teaching a Diabetic to check their feet with
This self-reflective paper focuses on what I’ve learned about myself this semester regarding my strengths, and weaknesses. Concentrating on areas of my professional practice that need improvement and discussing two goals I have created for myself, and how I plan on achieving them. This semester I have discovered I have two key strengths those being a dedication to the Practical Nursing Program, and seeking help in the program when I need it. Both being potential strengths in my nursing career. I have some weaknesses to work on as a student and a future nurse.
The nursing profession has been around for a very long time. Through many changes and reforms, it has drastically evolved into the nursing profession we have today. Nurses have an important role within the healthcare industry in the treatment and medical care of the sick. These trusted healthcare professionals continue to make up the largest majority of the healthcare field, as well as the fastest growing occupation. Nursing is a job that allows people to not only care for the sick but also to experience, learn and further their interest in the human body. This course has definitely provided me an insight to the roots of the profession I would like to pursue. I think it is important to know the history of nursing to understand fully on the problems that are affecting the profession. I believe that we cannot effectively address important issues without a foundation of historical knowledge. In other words, by examining the nursing history, I will be able to appreciate my important role as a nurse in the healthcare system. The topics I will be including in my reflection are the works of Florence Nightingale, the affects of World War II, the challenges of Filipinos aspiring to be nurses, and excerpts in Chapter 10 of “A History of American Nursing.”
It was an unpleasantly early morning in the hospital waiting room. Nurses buzzed around, busy attending to their patients while a faint beeping sound could be heard in the background. I was starting my second shift of the day at the hospital, just finishing working a shift in the dark, grimy morgue. Groggy, I sat down at my desk to begin another four hours of labor. My position was to assure that the paper work was properly completed and that all patients were attended too. While being a supervising nurse was a great responsibility, it left time to day dream.