Reflection Paper 6ao1p

Running head: REFLECTION

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Reflection Paper Morgan Howe Ferris State University

REFLECTION PAPER

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The purpose of this paper is to examine my current nursing practice. It will reflect on the knowledge, skills and attitude I need to perform as an associates prepared nurse. This paper will allow me to see the differences in my current practice and the bachelors prepared role as a ed nurse (Ferris State University, 2013).

REFLECTION PAPER

3 Reflection Paper

The purpose of this paper is to examine my nursing practice. It is important to reflect on my current practice to see how it will change with my transition into a bachelors prepared nurse from an associates prepared nurse. Ferris State University (2013) states identification of your current scope of practice allows you to differentiate this from future practice as you transition into the BSN role. Margaret J. Wheatley (2002) said, “Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful.” In this paper I will reflect on where I am in my professional career to gain insights into where I am going with my future practice. Current Practice I currently work in private duty pediatric home care. I have been in this sector for four years. I have had the privilege of working with children of varying disabilities and disorders. No two patients have been alike. I have gained experience with ventilators, tracheal suctioning, enteral feedings and non-pharmacologic comfort measures. In the following sections I will detail the knowledge, skills and attitude needed in my current position. Knowledge In order to be a ed nurse I had to complete a degree program at an accredited school and the state licensure. To keep my nursing license in good standing I am required to obtain 25 hours of continued education every two years with one of the 25 hours in pain management. I had to have first aid and R certification; which is also renewed every two years.

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These were only the minim requirements I had to have. To be able to work with most of the patients I have worked with over the last four years, I had to have extra training provided by my company. I attended a ventilator training course where I was familiarized with a couple different models of ventilators and how to use them. Annually, I must have a competency check done to ensure that I am still providing care correctly. During this competency my skills are checked by one of my supervisors either in the office or in the home. In the next section I will discuss the skills needed to perform my job. Skills “A nursing skill is a task that can only be completed by someone who is a ed Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) who has been deemed competent to complete this task,” (ednurse.com, 2013). My skills are verified every year to ensure patient safety. I am required to perform tracheostomy care and suctioning, enteral tube feeding and changing as well as urinary catheterization of both male and female patients. I must have excellent assessment and monitoring skills. “Assessment is the foundation on which all health promotion, risk reduction for disease, prevention of illness and injury, care management, and organizational decision making is built” (American Nurses Association, 2013). I need to be able to assess my patient’s needs and perform interventions within the scope of my current practice as well as following the policies and procedures of my company. I must be able to work independently and be confident in my training. I work alone in the home with only the patient and the parents for reference. I must be able to think critically to intervene when changes with my patient occur. Good communication skills are a necessity in home care. I am the liaison for my company. They must be made aware of any changes that occur with my patient while they are

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under my care. Not only do I need to have good communication skills with my supervisors I must have good communication skills with my patient and their family. My rapport with my patient and their family is almost more important than my rapport with my supervisors. In home care, it is the family that decides if I work on a case or not. This requires more than good communication skills. This requires a good attitude as well. In the next section I will address the attitude needed for my current position. Attitude In private duty pediatric home care I have been to many patients’ homes. It is important that the patient as well as the family feel comfortable around me. I need to have a professional attitude. I need to not only present myself professionally, but I need to act in a professional manner. It is important to have a caring attitude, but I still have to maintain professional boundaries. It can be very easy in private duty home care to become over involved and professional boundaries can become blurred. I had a case that I allowed myself to become too involved with the patient. The family repeatedly said they loved having me take care of their child after the child died I was given a new case. After I was given a new case I tried harder to not become too involved. It can be difficult. There were some parents that seemed to like the care I provided while others felt I was cold and “stand-off-ish.” I must maintain the delicate balance of caring and friendly while at the same time remaining professional and distant. Conclusion This paper has examined who I am as a nurse. There are times in my current practice that I do not feel like much more than a glorified baby sitter. This paper has helped me to see that I

REFLECTION PAPER am much more than that. I use my knowledge and skills obtained in nursing school without giving it a second thought. I provide a greatly needed service to my patient and their family. I continually build on the knowledge I gained in nursing school. I perform regular competencies to assure my skills are up to date and I maintain a caring and professional attitude with my patient, their family and my employer. Black (2013) says a profession is different from an occupation in at least two major ways—preparation and commitment.” Nursing school prepared me and my commitment to my patient’s health and wellness are what make me a professional nurse.

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REFLECTION PAPER

7 References

American Nurses Association. (2013). The essential guide to nursing practice. Silver Springs, MD. ANA. Black, B.P. (2013) Professional nursing: Concepts and challenges.7th ed. St. Louis, MI. Elsevier Saunders. Ferris State University. (2013). NURS 324: Transition into professional nursing [course syllabus]. Retrieved from Ferris State University MyFSU course page https://fsulearn.ferris.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2F webapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_7864 _1%26url%3D Wheatley, M.J. (2002). It’s an interconnected world. Retrieved from http://www.margaretwheatley.com/articles/interconnected.html ednurse.com. (2013). Nursing skills: Clinical nursing skills learned in nursing school. Retrieved from http://www.ednursern.com/nursing-skills-clinical-nursing-skillslearned-in-nursing-school/