Exploring Professional Practice in Nursing

ANMC Domains of Nursing

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

(1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.6)

During my clinical placement at Fremantle hospital, I ensured that I read and understood all policies and procedures of hospital. I also got myself familiarized with infection control and risk and safety guidelines so that I could follow them properly in need. I also come to know the importance of wearing personal protective clothing (PPE) in relation to different disease conditions. I also come to know that as a nursing student I am not allowed to check or administered schedule 4 and schedule 8 drugs and not even could hold the keys for locked cupboard. During my first week, I come across a patient who was on vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) control precautions with episode of stroke and left sided weakness. In this case, prior going to patient’s room, the necessary PPE required was gown, gloves with mask and goggles as extra precautions if needed. I noticed one of the occupational therapist went to

He had his normal antipsychotic as regular medicine but soon he started hallucinating and his agitation increased. I then reported to my buddy RN and after looking at medication chart for patient, we discovered that doctor had written another PRN medication for the control of agitation which was a schedule 8 drug. These drugs are always locked and checked by two RN’s or one RN and an EN. Two enrolled nurses are not allowed to check alone. My preceptor asked me to check this PRN medication with her but I told her that I could not administer and check locked schedule 4 and 8 drugs as it is out of my scope of practice. I showed her ECU document that was signed by me before going to any placement which clearly indicated the prescribed medicine out of my scope of practice and guidelines stated that as a student I could not be a second