theoretical learning and practical work in nursing
Nursing is a wide field of study where learning and training are divided into two phases, theoretical learning and practical work. Theoretical learning is the part where individuals sit in a classroom and are taught how things are done, while in the field. It is at this point where many people get to know and understand all the basics and requirements of nursing. On the other hand, practical work is the process by which learners are introduced into the real world where they are taught and given a chance to experience the real thing that they have been learning in class. Practical work is an essential part, as the students will practice it for the rest of their careers and professional lives. It is the same case with me as I was able to get a feeling and taste of having to put into practice what I learned in class. Based on the above information, I will reflect on the experiences I had when I was first placed in the field. At this point, I will reflect on various actions and activities that I was able to undertake and participate while offering my professional clinical service. I will talk about the experiences I had with the supervisor and what I was able to learn because I was assigned to a supervisor. Moreover, I will also reflect on the experiences I had with members of my clinical group who we were working together. All this will be to reflect the overall experience I had during the whole period I was on placement. Moreover, it is an essential practice that will help me understand exactly where I made mistakes and be able to amend and learn how to improve my practices and my profession in general.
To start with, placement is one activity that involves various events and actions that aim to make sure that the overall goal, taking care of the patient, is achieved. Since I am a student, frequent clinical supervisions are often so that to ensure that I am doing the right thing and in the best and appropriate manner. Regular clinical supervision has had a positive impact on my overall practices. White and Winstanley (2010) argued that clinical supervision has a positive effecpatient’s patient’s overall outcome if the nursing practices are done correctly. It is at this point where nursing practices come in handy in making sure that a patient gets to feel better (White & Winstanley, 2010). In making all this a success, various activities are conducted which aim at achieving the ultimate goal.
As a nurse, there are various nursing practices that I am supposed to undertake and perform on a patient, based on their conditions. There are necessary activities that are generally done on any patient. At the same time, there are situations and circumstances where patients require specialized and specific care aligned with the type of condition they are suffering. Taking an example of a patient I was taking care of who was suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), I was able to do many activities and actions which had a positive impact on my learning and my professional career as a whole. I learned a lot regarding moving and handling patients of all types based on the fact that the COPD patient was my first.
At first, I was afraid and nervous about how to deal with the patient as it was my first time exercising what I learned in class on a real patient. My supervisor assigned me the patient and asked me to engage the patient from the initial stage, all along through his treatment stages. According to a research conducted by Hawkins and Smith (2013) on coaching, students need to have real-time experience in dealing and handling patients without being helped as they watch (Hawkins & Smith, 2006, second edition 2013). It is for this reason that I was given a chance to process the COPD patient. At first, it was not easy to communicate and comprehend what the patient was saying as I was nervous and kind of afraid as my supervisor was standing next to me. However, my supervisor was very considerate as he was able to calm me down and helped me register and admit the patient successfully. From the whole experience, I was able to learn how to deal and handle different types of patients based on their moods. In the beginning, I was nervous and, in a way, afraid as I thought I would not do it right as it is expected. Howeversupervisor’spervisor’s help, I was able to gain courage and understanding of how to deal with any situation whatsoever. From this point, I was able to gain confidence and bravery that I am having to this point. I am now able to easily handle any patient with the required professionality and with courage learned from my supervisor.
Although my supervisor played a role in helping me gain courage and have the ability to handle patients, a significant part was played by my clinical assessment group members. Most of my group members were first-time students in placement, and they were no different as they had the same first experience. However, since we all regrouped and reflected on how we operated and performed, we were able to encourage each other to make it. It is at this point that I was able to learn the art of self-confidence and was also able to improve on my self-esteem. All this has had a positive impact on my overall operation and interaction with both patients and colleagues at school and the hospital.
However, there are instances where I have had a conflict of interest and ideas with my group members, not forgetting my supervisor. By focusing on my group members, there are instances where we have conflicted on various issues and ideas regarding how we are supposed to operate and conduct our professional activities. Since the group was composed of mostly students, it was easy to argue and correct each one of us without any issue whatsoever. I remember there was a time when my group leader came up with a strategy where he came up with a plan of how to deal with a nuisance patient. According to his argument, most stubborn patients are always afraid of their results or maybe what will happen to them if things do not go according to their expectations. At this juncture, he argued that it is advisable to sedate the patient to keep them calm at all costs. Based on his argument, a patient will, at no point, cause any fracas, thus giving a nurse a humble time to take care of them. I did not agree with the assumptions as different patients react differently when they are sedated.
To start with, once a patient is sedated, they become docile to the point that they cannot comprehend right from wrong or cannot explain or tell the right information for their diagnosis. I was always sharp and paid attention to details, so I decided to counteract the group leader’s decision and verdict. Although my group leader was an individual who was, in a way, authoritative, he never liked being told he was wrong. Since it is from the group discussions and training that I gained my courage and my improved self-esteem, I stood up and explained why the leader’s strategy was wrong. My argument was valid to the point that every member agreed with me. Based on the response of my group members, it was clear that I had put across a compelling argument, which was also valid. This was one of the memorable and most brave acts that I had done for a long time. I felt motivated and rejuvenated as I was able to stand out and share my views, which were always right.
Looking on the other hand, my supervisors and superiors also were individuals who played a sentimental role in ensuring that I get to know and understand what exactly is required. My supervisor was one unique person who ensured that I have all the information and activities to be done on my list. I learned from him that in any situation, one has to be calm and composed before reacting or executing any strategy. I learned that I have to keep a record of everything that I have to do, and I have done as it will help me reflect on what I did right and what I did wrong. Furthermore, I discovered that the list is essential as it helps an individual have a self-evaluation. At this point, I was able to know and understand the exact actions and activities where I did exemplary and congratulated myself. I was also able to note the instances where I was wrong, made wrong decisions, and made mistakes in my practice. Through this, I was able to accept my mistakes and come up with a strategy to correct all the mistakes and improve on everything. All these are skills and strategies that I learned that I will always be using throughout my profession and career. Working with my supervisor was one exceptional first experience that I had as I got to learn a lot from him.
Although my supervisor was right, he was one individual who wanted to be in control and be the one to give out orders and want them followed to the latter. He was also this individual who was straight forward and always followed instructions from his superiors. At no point would he question any issue or activity, even if it raises eyebrows. Based on the leadership and management of the hospital, there were instances where decisions were being made that were, in a way, not applicable and, in a way, ended up with fatal consequences. Decision making in the hospital was only for the top management and a few workers of the hospital. There is no consideration of other people who work in the facility. There are various ideas and suggestions that I would have given to the management, but we were left out because we were not part of the facility’s employees. In a way, I felt discriminated and diminished as I was not given any chance to air my ideas, despite being part of the temporal workforce. By focusing on my supervisor, he was also in a way authoritative, and at no point did he accept being corrected or being interrupted even if he was doing wrong things. This situation made me feel like I had no option but to abide by the rules, also though what I was doing was questionable. This is one experience that, in a way, made me question my ethical code of conduct in my professionalism. I felt out of space, and the sad thing was that I had no option or rather chanced to correct it as it was a directive from my superiors. Although I had a chance to question, I did not question as I was afraid of the response or repercussion from my supervisor and the facility management. From this experience, I learned that at no point will I again sit down and keep quiet in instances where things are not being done in the right way.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the first placement of a nurse gives an experience that is hard to forget. My first placement in a hospital facility taught me many things that I will use throughout my career and profession. I was able to learn new skills that I was not sure that I would ever learn theoretically. The many experiences included handling a patient while being calm and composed, working as a group, improving my self-esteem, and learning the skill of self-evaluation. All the above are among the many skills and experiences that I was able to learn during my placement period. With the high learned skills and expertise, I can put all of them in practice and handle any uncertainty with care and professionalism to avoid any mistakes that I did before while I was on placement.