Looking back on the practicum experience, it is clear that I learned much professionally and personally. I embarked on this experience feeling nervous, lacking in confidence and uncertain about what lay ahead. My first few days were a whirlwind adjusting to the chaotic, dynamic, and ongoing crises that are typical of the hospital setting. I was not prepared for the level of crisis that is a reality of Cumberland Hall and how at any moment a patient can spiral emotionally and become unstable. To respond, calmly, skillfully, empathically and professionally takes experience and knowledge. All of which, I have yet to acquire. It was obvious that I would have to learn to perfect my counselor face to display calm although under the surface …show more content…
Working one on one with the patients just helping in very simple ways proved to be beneficial in developing trust. The ease at which some of the patients share their circumstances was surprising and a bit unexpected. The challenge for me has become finding a balance between accepting them where they are while at the same time finding a way to work toward growth and wellness. Managing my own emotions has been a struggle on a couple of occasions. It is definitely a learning process of determining when it is okay to show your emotion towards the patient’s circumstances. Counseling should never be about my own feelings. I am reminded of the advice from one of my professors to engage in self-disclosure when it is of benefit to the patient. There were days when it was difficult to leave work behind and sadness followed me home. Most people would feel sad about a suicide, an involuntary commitment, a setback, a suicide attempt and struggles with patients who just do not seem to engage or appear to be making progress. My supervisor has helped me to put this into …show more content…
I believe working with severe crises and such conditions as psychosis is not an easy task and requires a specific approach. Given all of the patients have experienced some form of trauma, it is necessary for me not to remain within my competency level and not do any work that causes harm. That being said, it appears that some form of trauma work would be in order depending on each patient’s circumstance. This is going to be an area of concentration as I move forward. I recall that one of our professors remarked that we will not like all of our clients and have been confronted with this reality during practicum. My supervisor helped me to put this reaction into perspective by reminding me that we have to look past their behaviors and meet them where they are. My own reaction bothered me and I spent some time processing it alone when I probably should have been more vocal about this circumstance with my supervisor. It is certain that she has had this reaction at some point in her career and could provide some guidance. Ultimately, I was able to move past this reaction when I decided to keep in mind that people don’t always present their best selves under poor circumstances and especially
Current research implies that an empathetic clinician-client relationship and interrelated ecosystems play the majority role in the success of therapy (Kilpatrick & Holland, 2009). The clinician’s ability to be present and actively perceive what the client is experiencing is of utmost importance in creating a therapeutic alliance. It is imperative that the clinician gains positive regard towards the client and their environment displaying honest acceptance towards the client no matter what issues are presented in session. This closely relates to a sincere presentation of genuineness that instills a feeling of honesty within the client and clinician (Kilpatrick & Holland, 2009). An experienced clinician builds upon the therapeutic
The weight of constantly listening to difficult, harrowing, and upsetting events in other people’s lives can have negative impacts on therapists, especially for those who are inadequately trained or who have poor coping mechanisms. While most therapists deal with this strain, it is particularly true of those who work consistently work with patients who have experienced trauma. Trauma refers to an individual's exposure to actual or threatened harm, fear of death or injury, or witnessing violence. Common forms of trauma seen in therapy environments are rape, abuse, victims of crimes, accidents, and disasters. Trauma work requires specialized training and support in order to be effective for the clients and to help to deal with, minimize, and
In this paper I will be discussing the three questions: what does nursing mean to me? What are some of the challenges you will face as a new nurse after graduation? As a nursing professional, where do you see yourself in five years?
A walk through demonstration and rationale discussion completed the WinMed experience. Learning about emergency lighting, testing of emergency lighting, fire extinguishers use/deployment/charge monitoring, sprinkler systems with backflow prevention valve, smoke detector yearly cleaning, cleaning of general areas including bathrooms, trash pickup and disposal, biohazard disposal, sharp containers, standard precautions, and biohazard facility pick up opened my eyes wide to a whole new world.
Wayne (2014), quoted that “People often think that nursing is just an easier alternative to becoming a doctor. When can we escape from this? Probably not, and that’s beyond our control. But this irrational assumption has proved nothing through the years. It only motivated nurses from showing the world their worth and how much of a difference nursing makes”. I also loved when she said that one of the most exciting jobs in the world is nursing and that we should wear the title with pride and that we, nurses, are unique. I totally agree with her, what nurses do is not easy. One of my favorite quotes is “Nurses don’t wait until October to celebrate Make a difference Day - they make a difference EVERY DAY!” (Nurseslabs). As a nurse we put a lot of knowledge, time, effort, and love in caring for our patients making sure that we give our 100 % sometimes even more.
Nursing is a collaborative job that encompasses promoting health and well-being, preventing illness and treating the ill and dying. The nursing profession is not for everyone; it takes strong-willed individuals that understand the significance of putting other people’s lives in their hands. Most nurses come to work not knowing how their shift will turn out; as they must take on treating, saving, and caring for patients they possibly just met. As a nurse, I believe that passion for this job should never be lost, patience must be attained and exercised, and that there should always be a strong positive mental attitude on and off the job. These three beliefs have shaped my decision to become a nurse, what health and illness mean to
These points of view control the positive brain, science or comprehensive quality emotional wellness. Our therapy incorporates our clients to appreciate life and to accomplish mental strength. “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:35, ESV). Our culture is to help people with mental issues to learn from their problems. Therefore, we have to have patience, compassion and believe whole-heartedly in honesty. We lead by example, whether it comes from our director, and she is telling us ways to engage with our patients or the face-to-face sessions while putting ourselves in the shoes our
This experience will definitely influence my future practice; my action plan would be using those teaching strategies in preparing students to face the clinical environment, to ensure optimal patients’ health outcomes and it helps to build a competent and independent clinician.
Reflection of the Practice and Prescribing of a Nurse Practitioner The laws and regulations of the practice and prescribing privileges of Advanced Practice Register Nurse Practitioner (APRN) in North Carolina is jointly regulated by North Carolina Board of Nursing and North Carolina Board of Medicine (NC Board of Nursing, 2016). These privileges can only be granted under a collaborative practice agreement (CPA) with a licensed physician. The CPA provides ongoing supervision and collaboration between the APRN and physician, however the APRN can practice independently, without direct supervision, under the CPA (NC Board of Nursing, 2016). North Carolina Board of Nursing (2016) states that the selection of drugs prescribed by a nurse practitioner
The following essay is a reflective paper on an event that I encountered as a student nurse during my first clinical placement in my first year of study. The event took place in a long term facility. This reflection is about the patient whom I will call Mrs. D. to protect her confidentiality. Throughout this essay I will be using LEARN model of reflection. I have decided to reflect on the event described in this essay since I believe that it highlights the need for nurses to have effective vital signs ‘assessment skills especially when treating older patients with complex medical diagnoses.
A study conducted by academics found that undergraduate nurses feel reflection is the key to changing and improving their practice. (Bulman, Lathlean, & Gobbi, 2011). Reflection assists nurses to enhance their nursing abilities by encouraging them to reflect on negative experiences, in order to overcome similar experiences in the future. This essay will aim to demonstrate the importance of reflection within nursing, additionally providing me with a platform to reflect on my decision to become a nurse. I will begin by reflecting upon the factors that influenced me to choose nursing, followed by an explanation of the benefits that reflection has on nursing. The essay will conclude by summarising how I will put reflection in practice throughout
Regardless of the specialty, the main focus of a nurse includes assisting doctors in treating patients and providing clinical and emotional support to both patients and ancillary staff. With the role of administrative nursing supervisor comes additional responsibilities and administrative roles, such as staffing, organizing, prioritizing, and ultimately ensuring safe and quality patient care.
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 someone at face value and inspected him or her physically. While interacting with my patient I felt as if I was taking to my grandmother, it was very comfortable and easy. Her neurological assessment was good, she had eye contact with me, was able to follow some simple commands such as showing me her hands and squeezing my fingers. Being in the nursing home-made me feel like there was so much medical information to acquire, I viewed it as my own personal practice space for my nursing skills. When taking with my patient she reflected on her life a bit and her stories made me get emotional. The Patient, admitted to the nursing home as a permanent resident after the death of her husband.
Please bring to class, a typed, 12 font, single spaced, self-reflection of your progress as a freshman student working towards entering the nursing program (or intended major). Reflection should include: an explanation of why you want to be an RN/MD (or not), a critical analysis of your current grades, a very specific descriptive plan on how you plan to succeed in the prerequisite courses.
To me, being a nurse requires a great sense of selflessness and courage to devote your time and being to helping others. Nurses work long hours and experience straining situations for the satisfaction and fulfillment of helping others. More specifically, experiencing life and death, as well as applying your full self--emotions, knowledge, courage, and strength--takes a toil on the mind and body, but the innate satisfaction, human connections, and experiences I would be able to live through prevails over any thought of stress. The quote “A nurse is one who opens the eyes of a newborn and gently closes the eyes of a dying man. It is indeed a high blessing to be the first and last to witness the beginning and end of life” further reflects