Reflection Paper In Nursing

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

The development of a philosophy related to the profession of nursing is important in that it provides a framework for the nurse to base his/her work on. Philosophy is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a search for a general understanding of values and reality by chiefly speculative rather than observational means”. In other words, philosophies are based on beliefs and assumptions with an overall goal of obtaining an objective which states the nurse’s purpose in the profession. In my undergraduate nursing program I was exposed to multiple nursing concepts that guided my practice. Coupled with my ten years of experience in the nursing field, I was enabled to formulate my own framework or guide to nursing. The paradigm which resonates with me the most is the interactive-integrative perspective as it views practice “as having multiple, interrelated parts in relation to a specific context.” (Newman, Sime, & Corcoran-Perry, 1991, p.38). My framework includes three main components: the client, the professional nurse, and the nurse-client relationship.

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.

Without nursing history, nursing would not be the same. For example, Nightingale’s thirteen tenets set the basis of nursing. All these tenets become apparent while promoting health, preventing illness, and while providing care for clients. Additionally, Carper’s four fundamental ways of knowing allows us, as nurses, to think critically, provide holistic care (also apart of Waton’s theory), build therapeutic relationships, follow the code of ethics, and also encourage us to extrapolate data effectively. Nonetheless, Paterson and Zderad, as well as Leininger, set the foundation for nurses to care for each client as their own, using a humanistic, existentialistic, and culturally sensitive approach. Generally, each of these theories allow nurses to acquire new knowledge and skills, altering thoughts and emotions, ultimately enabling us to apply our newfound knowledge into real life situations, which will prove useful in clinical placements next

This scripture made me feel like I am pursuing the right profession to better serve God. We are called to honor God through serving others and by pursuing nursing I can show my love to others through my service. In my public health clinics I am reminded of my own pregnancies of feeling lost and needing love. In 1 Peter 3:8 we are to be tenderhearted and keep a humble attitude and in treating these young mothers, I understand and am reminded daily that I should be sympathetic to the patients and love them as we are called to do. By keeping a humble attitude and loving others I can better sympathize with others and the trials and emotions they are going through.

In this paper, I am going to discuss past and present nursing concepts, and how these theories have evolved. The initial paper by J. Fawcett (1984) describes the fundamental concepts of nursing including person, environment, health and nursing, (Fawcett, 1984 p.84) The author further describes ideas that are discussed and compared by various nursing scholars and how they are related to one another. In the second paper by Newman, Smith, et al, (2008) they explore the current theories and how more advanced these are, and where the studies are in their scholarly journey. The authors describe the “history of nursing epistemology” (Newman, et all 2008) and the phases that have been part of its journey of development. The initial article is very limited, and focuses particularly on nursing systems. It does not allow for expansion and growth for nursing theory. Dr. Fawcett does, however, establish the basis for nursing theory and organizes the process through her four basic areas of concepts (Brodie, 1984). The latter article envelops the growth and development of nursing theory towards “Unitary-transformative (UT) paradigm” (Newman et al, 2008). The concepts evolve and establish the process of holistic thinking, and viewing the person as a whole in your assessment. I will also include personal reflection from my own nursing practice and how these concepts

I understand to think as a nurse requires an instinct or what can be described as almost like a sixth sense. This instinct is something that comes naturally after a lot of practice and education. Often experience and knowledge are treated as oppositions. However, in nursing practice it is readily acknowledged that knowledge fuels experience and practice fuels the thirst for knowledge and these two forces working together lead to professional advancement. Thinking as a Nurse by Bruce Austin Scott has been developed from thirty-seven years of direct patient care experience and twenty-five years of teaching nursing.

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.

This theory explains, describes, guides, and supports nursing practice. It gives language to the unspoken beliefs and perspectives of the nursing profession. This allows the nursing professionals to better envision, realize, and articulate their unique role in healthcare (Green & Robichaux, 2009). Human caring is the basis of therapeutic relationships between human beings (Wade & Kasper, 2006)

This reflection paper will cover the individual program of study and experiences with development and implementation of research. Three personal goals will be described using the Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning. The positivist and constructivist paradigms will be discussed along with my personal worldview. My personal beliefs regarding the graduate nurse’s involvement with Evidence Based Practice (EBP) and opinion on why it is important for nurses to be involved in research. Finally, I will discuss my comfort level on initiating or working on research.

On 5/16/17 I was able to visit Ms. Perez at Select Specialty Hospital. I met with Theresa the internal case manager from Select Hospital. We were able to have a case conference at the bedside with her husband. Throughout the whole meeting Ms. Perez appeared to be sleeping. She remains on a 28% trachea mask, nasal gastric tube, tube feeding for nutrition, non weight bearing to the lower extremities secondary to fractures (non weight bearing is projected at 6 to 8 more weeks), and the right arm has a cast. Occupational therapy said they get her up in a cardiac chairs but she is a full lift by staff. Ms. Perez weighed 312 lbs. Respiratory therapy reported that they will try to wean her trachea size down and work towards capping and then removing at some point. Mr. Perez asked what pain medication she was on because all she does is sleep. I asked the case manager to check and she what her level of alertness is on the second and third shifts. Per the EMS and ER report Ms. Perez was thought to have had a seizure and a full cardiac arrest at the scene with active CPR by a bystander, but once in ER she was alert and oriented. The CT scan of the head was negative. Nursing reported that she is only on one Norco every eight hours for pain and a very low dose of Gabapentin. He also reported that a Neuropsychologist was in on Sunday to see her, and he increased her Cymbalta. We did confirm with Mr. Perez that before the accident Ms. Perez used a walker in the house and that he helped

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.

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.”

Furthering nursing research is essential, as it forms the basis for evidence-based practice in healthcare today. With this in mind, developing the skills to critically appraise research articles is of the utmost importance in order to determine the relevance of research findings for clinical practice. As I pursue a doctorate degree in nursing practice, I am reminded of the necessity of these skills. Thus, in the following paragraphs, I will reflect on the research goals I developed at the beginning of the Critique and Design of Nursing Research course, and will discuss my views on the role of the graduate nurse in regard to

This semester has been a wild ride from start to finish. When I look back I can’t believe how far we’ve all come in such a short amount of time. I used to struggle with taking blood pressure and now I think I could do it in my sleep. I used to be so afraid that I would screw up and kill my patient because I misheard something (honestly, I still am) but now it’s easier to get out of my head and be confident in my ability. I’m thankful for all the hours that my professors and clinical instructor put in to help me learn the practical skills I need to go and do my assessments with confidence and ability.