Personal Experience and Reflection of Being a Student Nurse

Here I share a student nurse reflection examples of significant events that I undertook in while on clinical placement for two weeks, I will also be discussing and reflecting on my own personal experience. I will also be relating them to the NMC codes, while relating it to my time as a student nurse. This essay will demonstrate my understanding and views on both reflecting and the NMC code and how it benefited me while on clinical placement.

I was on my first clinical placement in a gastroenterology and surgical ward. This ward had specifically dealt with patients who suffer from digestive diseases and liver diseases. Whilst on placement I met a young boy whose family weren't from the UK, who English was not their first language, this had caused an immediate language barrier. I have personally not named any of the patients or the hospital to protect the identity and to maintain confidentially. And to abide by data protection law . During the penultimate week of my clinical placement I shadowed a meeting alongside the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) whereby the doctor had deemed the date and the authorisation of him being discharged from this ward. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to work alongside a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) as it was meaningful to my learning. Furthermore, nurses had discussed that his mother resided with him at all times and that his father would often visit. Moreover, it was supported that the of presence of parents during their hospitalisation is fundamental as parents constitute to the main source of sentimental support during the recovery process of their child. In the meeting his stoma nurse concluded that his time on utilising a stoma would be extended due to his damaged bowel not recovering in the pace in which they in initially determined. The meeting concluded with a discussion that he would be trained sufficiently the following week on how to change, clean and maintain both his stoma bags.

What Did I Learn?

Reflecting on this experience alone aided me to identify areas where my own personal practice would need improvement. While also giving me a greater insight to my own role when I become a registered nurse. I learnt that I should familiarise myself with complex terminology. Also, I learnt that a holistic approach with consciousness of care is essential, as it is a central role in providing exceptional care, information aswell as support. This applied to me as a student nurse was effective teamwork as it is imperative for both him and his family with continuity of care and clinical excellence.

Also, during my time on clinical placement, I leant that the patient I worked with deteriorated both socially and psychologically due to his lengthy time being hospitalised. As the separation of the child from their family members can ignite emotions. Arguably hospitalisation during childhood can cause children to feel as though they are enduring a life crisis, later on causing both fear and seclusion. As a result of these events they might have a recollection of distortion during the stages of their development. This might cause a detrimental effect to both their identity and self-esteem. An 8-year-old would be undergoing; physical growth, cognitive, emotional and social development. They would also be expanding on their language and both sensory and motor development. But because of hospitalisation this caused a delay. The hospital implemented play, as it constitutes a fundamental parameter to the normal psychosomatic development of children as well as it is an important mean of communication during the stages of childhood. My entire outlook on communication improved I spoke with self-assurance and self-confidence with the multi-disciplinary team and delivering messages, breaking information down from a complex form to a simple form. Berlo’s SMCR model of communication presents the communication process in the simplest form in order for people to comprehend, so that messages can be conveyed effectively, meaning that both the sender and the receiver must share some sort of common ground. This model is fundamental when working in a health care environment and working alongside multi-disciplinary team (MDT).

How Did I Change or Improve?

I improved immensely whilst I was on clinically placement, I understood the importance of dealing with individuals in a holistic way. I also developed self-awareness during my time on placement. As self-awareness is important in recognising, cultural beliefs and barriers in communication such as language, whilst also taking into consideration interpersonal strengths and limitations.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs theory depicts self-actualisation of the highest level of hierarchy of needs. Relating it immensely to the need to maximise the potential and to achieve a sense of personal, and a sense of fulfilment, competence and accomplishment. Abraham Maslow created his hierarchy of needs powerfully arguing that as human beings we are motivated by five essential needs being the following; physiological, safety, social, self-esteem and self-actualisation. Maslow also stated the importance of my mentor or supervisor helping me to improve in my work ethic with, words of empowerment and motivation and happy workplace which is more likely to increase my work ethic and productivity.

I mostly improved on my approach when communicating vocally to the Multi-disciplinary team (MDT). Most importantly I changed and improved as I came to realisation that working in a clinical environment can differ immensely to an environment that you are not familiar with. Giving you an insight of the environment and the potential risks, complicated interpersonal and interprofessional realtionships being working in a Multi-disciplinary team (MDT).

I learnt that confidence is a key aspect and the following; being optimistic, assertiveness, enthusiasum and emotional stability will help you achieve and progress further.

How is This Relevant to the Code?

During my time on clinical placement I reminisced and took into account the Nursing and Midwifery Council codes. Most importantly implementing the four domains being; Prioritise people, Practise effectively, preserve safety and Promoting professionalism and trust. In advance I reminded myself of the NMC code and the importance of it, especially working in a multi-disciplinary team (MDT). The code which was adopted throughout my placement was practicing effectively. This had a major link due to working alongside a multi-disciplinary team. I witnessed nurses and health care practitioners communicating clearly using specific terminology which their colleagues understood(hey). However, when communicating with those in their care such as patients, nurses and other healthcare practitioners made sure that patients clearly understood, or measures were in place in order to accommodate them. There were on-site translators for patients whom English wasn’t there first language, the on-site translators facilitated the smooth running of communication between health practitioners and patients.

An aspect of the code which was incorporated by nurses was the adoption of wide range of both verbal and non-verbal communication methods when creating dialogue with his parents. If there were signs of distress and confusion, nurses would make it their duty to reassure them and make sure that they kept any signs of confusion or misunderstanding to a minimum.

To ensure that he received the best care possible the nurses and any other healthcare practitioners maintained effective communication, especially the time where he was given the opportunity to leave the hospital temporarily. On the contrary he would be required to return to the hospital the following morning.

I witnessed effective communication when he was sent to the X-ray, those in his care ensured that the radiographer knew of his situation and the fact that he was infectious. The doctor had suspected that he could potentially have sepsis, to protect those who would come to into physical contact with the X-ray an agreement was made that he the patient would come towards the end of the day and significantly reduce any transmission. This was a well thought out process due to the clear communication and effective practice. An assurance was made that the information provided was evidence-based relating to the patients’ health. The patients’ health and welfare were in constant update during his time at the ward.

In order to build a strong bond between their patients and parents nurses must attain nursing excellence as it is fundamental to safeguard patients under their care. Safeguarding children is protecting their health, wellbeing and always maintaining their human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. This was present during my placement, as nurses monitoring the patient had maintained high levels of safeguarding on each occasion and had complied with relevant NMC laws.

The Cavindish report conducted by Camilla Cavendish, created an independent review into healthcare as well as a programme which commenced in a ward in a London hospital, this was to challenge nurses in order to better their performance and their overall approach to patients. This report was ‘to develop an excellent unit and maintain consistency of care by all staff 24/7’. This report was initially conducted in order improve the attitude and behaviours between nurses, and to make sure that they were appropriate and that they demonstrated signs of empathy towards patients who were hospitalised for a prolonged time.

This study focused on aspects where patients who were deteriorating at night, nurses who multi-tasked on a busy ward and the process of breaking down bad news to either a patients, parent or carer. The study included a range of health care practitioners. This was a successful programme as it broadly focused on empathy and kindness. After this programme came to an end staff and patients reported improvements in communication between nurses and patients, improvements in how descriptive handovers were, being empowered to speak out and engage with the senior colleagues. The amount of confusion and concerns had decreased by 14% to the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS), nurses stated ‘that they feel more integrated, respected and optimistic about their careers’.

The overall aim of the Cavendish report was to significantly improve nursing excellence and to introduce compassion towards patients. 3.1 states “healthcare practitioners should pay special attention to promoting the wellbeing of their patient, preventing ill health, meeting the changing health and care needs of people during all life stages”.

During the meeting with the MDT, I picked up on the unity of all of the healthcare practitioners and the descriptiveness of each of their observations. The stoma nurse had supplied effective training and usage of the stoma bag, and the means to maintain his stoma when he is eventually discharged, the idea of this was to maintain dignity and to also promote independency. The occupational therapist was present to treat him through a therapeutic use of implementing everyday activities and useful strategies. Thereafter the occupational therapist created a care plan for when he is due for discharge and was all shared and discussed during the meeting.

Those whom were present during this meeting also took into account the patient’s language barrier and were working on matching the patient to an occupational therapist who was fluent in his native language. These meetings have been heavily meaningful to my learning and experience and provided me with a clear insight of what to expect in the near future.

Conclusion

This assignment clearly demonstrated my experience in caring for patients who have been hospitalised long term. I have also thoroughly expressed why nurses have the duty and responsibility to ensure that they deliver care that is of an acceptable standard. Also, the importance of referring back to the code and making myself familiar to the life stages of children that I would be working with. I have reflected on a patient I worked with without mentioning his name, the name of the ward and most importantly the name of the hospital, maintain and preserving confidentiality and upholding the codes from the.

Overall my clinical placement has taught me various ways in which I can improve as a student nurse. Also, I learnt and implemented the importance of the NMC code. I have learnt how to be aware of my physical/external environment when placed in a clinical environment. Also, the importance of introducing myself as a student nurse effectively.