Reflecting upon the last three years on this course I feel I have developed my nursing skills and knowledge to a high standard, I feel I have also changed as a person. I have had the chance to have experiences upon my placements which will remain with me throughout my nursing career, I have had the support from all my mentors whilst on practice and have thoroughly enjoyed all of my placements.
I feel I have always linked theory into practice whilst on placements to ensure that I get the best from each placement. Whilst on my last placement on a neonatal unit I feel I gained the skills to care for a neonate in the future, I had the opportunity to participate in the care delivery of each individual child and family, from birth to discharge. I understand the importance of looking for vital signs in deterioration and how to effectively handle these situations.
During my final placement within a neonatal unit I have experience in attending theater, for emergency and planned caesarean section and also natural delivery for babies who may require the special care unit. Looking after high dependency neonates has allowed me to understand the importance of drug errors and their effects. This placement has allowed me to have experience within complex cases including ventilation of a neonate.
Throughout my nurse training I have had many successful placements and opportunities within an acute children’s ward, this has allowed me to gain skills and knowledge around complex conditions and procedures. Experiencing different placements has allowed me to develop an awareness of assessing individual needs of the patient, to ensure prioritisation of changing health requirements. I have been familiarised with local trust policies and procedures with regard to transferring high dependency patients to the correct medical facility they require.
I understand the vitality of reassuring patients and their families and keeping them up to date on the care plan at all times. It is important to communicate effectively with patients and their families to a level of understanding to ensure that equality and diversity is paramount. My nurse training has allowed me to develop communication skills, I am now fully aware of the importance of multi disciplinary working, working together with patient and their families on a care plan that suits all their needs.
I feel it is important for in depth discharge planning for patients with ongoing health needs to make sure the right care package and support is suitable and available. It is a fundamental aspect of nursing that family centered care is carried out continuously; throughout my placements I have developed the ability to be sensitive to family’s individual needs, to guarantee that families feel comfortable for out their time in contact with me.
I have had the opportunity to ensure that record keeping is kept fully up to date at all times to a high standard, therefore following local trusts standards, to guarantee patient safety is prevalent. Throughout my placement on a medical unit I was able to gain an understanding of complex conditions patients may have including ventilated tracheostomy and patients with gastrostomy tubes; this allowed me to understand the importance of the high standard care delivery required for diverse patient groups.
I understand the importance of child protection policies and procedures, and supporting families should be paramount at all times. Whilst on placement within a district general hospital, I was able to care for a diverse patient group, which included surgical patients, mental health patients and medical patients. I appreciate the importance of the nursing and midwifery council, and that the code should be followed at all times. I have enjoyed the diverse tasks of nursing required to be a paedatric nurse.
These experiences have developed my ability to be aware of my own limitations, as a newly qualified member of staff if a difficult situation occurs, it is important that a senior member of staff is aware. I feel I have developed a high standard in theory and in practice, and the importance of organisation and time management. I have been able to develop myself awareness and confidence to use my own clinical judgment and work effectively as part of a multi disciplinary team. Confidentiality should remain paramount at all times.
I have been involved within trust audits, on both infection control and changing practice to support the trusts vision for improvement opportunities. I feel if I could do my nurse training again I would access more academic help at times, as I know I could have achieved a higher mark if I had understood the assignment put forward to me. I would not change anything about my practice placements, as I feel they have made me the person I am today, I know I will be the best nurse I can be because of my mentors and ward managers.