Personal Reflection: The Importance Of Pain Management In Nursing

Analysis

Post-operative skills and knowledge such as the ones identified in this learning objective, are essential for nurses working in wards with patients that have come out of surgery. Current evidence-based literature provides confirmation around the importance of having a standard of knowledge and skills for post-operative nursing. As the health system is advancing, nurses and they care that they provide needs to advance with the health system (Yeung, 2016). Although the health system is advancing, post-operative complications are still occurring in patients due to the lack of care interventions by the nurses. By performing assessments to identify these complications will result in early detection and interventions reducing the recovery

2015). To increase the pain management for patients, solutions were raised on how to do so by providing nurses and other health professionals with more education around assessments and interventions that are appropriate, also the care for the patient needs to be more patient-centred and less generalised, and lastly an update or change in current protocols and policies regarding pain

Gibbs reflective cycle is a tool that I will be aware of and utilise as much as possible to do this personal reflection. As a new graduate, I am aware that I may have events and situations that I am not happy with as I will still be learning therefore, reflecting on these events and identifying ways to improve is essential for improving practice. Critical reflection and analysing as a health professional is known for supporting continuous learning, encouraging self-improvement and promoting up-to-date knowledge (Maloney,Tai, Lo, Molley and Ilic, 2013). Overall, it aids for better nursing practice as the evaluation of the event and actions performed are reflected so that if improvement is needed it can occur next time. A positive work environment is associated with increased work satisfaction as well as an increased likeliness to remain in the work environment (Duffield, Roche, Blay & Stasa, 2011). This is important as some of the problems that occur in surgical wards are due to the high turn-over of nurses as it results in unexperienced nurses working in the wards (Aiken et al. 2014). As a new graduate nurse, I will ensure that I make an effort to create a positive work environment for myself as well as others so therefore, we can better care for our patients. To do this, personal reflection and evaluation of care needs to be achieved so that strengths and