The first patient for the day walked in at 0830. Lynn, RN went to greet M. S. and she invited me over to take her vital signs. Lynn verbalized her focused assessment of the outpatient for me. The patient denied any problems. Ensuring the patient’s privacy and offering to apply ethyl chloride as a topical anesthesia for the patient’s comfort, Lynn then accessed the patient’s port. She first drew a syringe of blood to waste. Lynn then quickly placed the pre-labeled sample tubes as they filled with blood into a bio-hazard bag and personally delivered the samples to the lab for priority processing. She stated that all laboratory studies for the onocology department take highest priority by the lab. Lynn discussed the lab results with the patient. She explained that the patient is in the Nadir of her treatment and that is why the physician is holding her treatment. Her platelets were at 18 and she will be receiving platelets Tuesday. Lynn, explained that it is the facility’s protocol to give platelets when the patient is at or below 20.
The morning went on in similar fashion the nurses greeting, assessing, and accessing ports for lab samples, while I took their vitals. Then at 0930, I focused on S. G. a 64 male diagnosed by computed tomography last September with Rectal adenocarcinoma at stage IV that had metastasized to his liver. His vital signs were stable. Patient has no known allergies. His height 175.3 cm, his weight 75.8 kg, and his BSA at 1.92 m2 were
O: Pt. seemed confused on what would happen today in regards to the process of her chemotherapy regime. The patient could not recall what prescriptions stated and verbalized inaccurate information. M.M. did not take medication as ordered prior chemotherapy treatment. M.M. asked many questions about things that were previously discussed. Patient appeared anxious with an elevated heart rate [HR] of 100 beats per a minute; her eyes are moist and
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.
Conducting an interview with someone makes you see things in many different perspectives and in a new light. The person I interviewed saw nursing as a broader term that saw things in a different way even though she has just started. She knows that special people need to take roles in being a nurse. I interviewed my aunt, Ann Juknevicius. She is 30 years old and she has been a nurse for 2 years in Illinois now. Relatively she is a new nurse. One of the main reasons why I started the nursing program is because I look up to Annie a lot and she showed me so many different perspectives on how to look at people, different situations, and the way you handle things. I thought that it would be a great interview session to see if Annie’s expectations were the same as the nursing reality.
I stayed close to the patient during this whole period, but I was not paying enough attention to her low oxygen level. The patient was a healthcare aid and she kept telling me that, “It’s ok, I am always a shallow breather”. However, I should have my own judgement ability and provide more competent care with timely evaluation of the effectiveness of the interventions.
This essay will discuss a clinical skill in which I have become competent in practicing as a student nurse.
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 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
She’s the Man (2006) is a film about Viola Hastings, a girl whose passion is to simply play soccer. When her women’s team gets terminated due to lack of players, the discriminatory men’s soccer coach states, “It isn 't me talking, it’s scientific fact: girls can 't beat boys. It 's as simple as that.” Infuriated, Viola decides to impersonate her twin brother at another school in order to make the team and play soccer. She does this in order to prove that “she’s the man” and to demonstrate to the men’s coach that girls can play just as good as boys. This romantic comedy is noted for its contrasting elements between masculinity and
The subject of morality has been of much interest in many human societies. Many scholars have been involved in this field in helping people to understand the subject even more. Among the much known contributions in this field, the works buy Aristotle, Kant and Mill stands out. There is a connection between the theories of these scholars and these theories can be aligned to a person’s cultural identity as discussed in the subsequent paragraphs that follows below.
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
Income inequality remains a provocative buzzword in today’s business world. As I pondered and prepared for this week’s written assignment I was reminded of the Occupy Wall Street movement that occurred several years ago. That movement was concerned with economic inequality and wealth distribution within the United States, specifically between the wealthiest 1% of the population versus the other 99%. That wealthiest 1% of course includes many corporate CEOs. It is no secret that a corporation’s executive compensation has traditionally exceeded the compensation of the average worker. This generates questions about whether this difference is ethical and whether or not this is a valid reward distribution system. After my readings and research, I am in support of the current executive compensation model for being both ethical and acting as a valid reward distribution system.
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.”
There was a number of events that confirmed to me that child nursing was the only career I'd fully enjoy. From a young age I'd always had an interest in the medical industry and was drawn to care for others. When I was nine, my little brother took ill with menangitis and MRSA. At the start of this year my little sister was in a neo-natal intensive care unit in an induced coma and less than a month later my little brother followed with a burst appendix. Needless to say, I've had my fair share of hospitals. As I was there so often, I attempted to shadow some of the nurses that were taking care of my family. They were very friendly and would teach me things like needle techniques and the different types of drip function. When my sister was diagnosed with down's syndrome, I attempted to pay as much attention as I could to the learning disability expers that came to talk to my family. They successfully put us at ease, fully believing that these learning issues are not scary or difficult if known how to approach them. On top of this, I've really attempted to invest my time with children more; As the oldest of nine children this hasn't been that difficult. I've always been on call to help with trips to hospitals, babysitting and sometimes just changing a nappy. I've also given up time to help my two of my friends who are foster careers. I've helped babysit a number of children with different backgrounds. Some with severe learning problems and some with neonatal abstinence syndrome.
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.