Reflective Practice in Nursing - Essay Example

? Critique of personal ment Critique of personal ment Introduction Nursing is an exciting career that requires dedication and positive attitude in order to care for the lives of other people (Wood, 2013, para 4). Nursing professionals must have the necessary skills in order to establish meaningful relationships with patients. I believe I have acquired the required knowledge, skills and attitudes in order to transit from a nursing student to professional practice. I have acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in nursing practice through previous studies and employment at various health care facilities (Timms, 2008). During my University placement, I displayed excellent communication skills and interacted well with members of multi-disciplinary teams in enhancing the quality of patient care (p 15). During my placement at the Community Drug and Alcohol team, my personal statement demonstrates that I complied with specific organizational policies and national legislation governing various treatment options such as the Health Act 2006 that provides guidelines on control and prevention of healthcare associated infections (hygiene code) and infection control policies of the health institution. In order to ensure quality nursing care, my personal statement confirms that I appreciate diversity and enhance social inclusion of the vulnerable groups through understanding the unique factors that determine the health of certain high-risk populations like aged citizens, people with mental disability and children (Johns, 2009, p 45). In this case, I offered non-discriminatory services and share decision-making with the patients (Polit and Beck, 2004, p 278). The essay will critically analyze my personal statement using the 4 NMC domains of nursing and midwifery council that include professional values, communication and interpersonal skills, nursing practice and decision-making, leadership, management and team working. The essay will also outline how i have acquired the necessary competencies and outline strategies for continuing professional development. I believe I have remained commitment to developing nursing practice through continuous learning; critical research appraisal and engaging in clinical practice activities that enhance my nursing skills (Griffith and Tengnah (2011p 54). While working at Kensington Nursing Home as a health care assistant, I complied with the legal and professional standards such the Data protection Act 1998, and promoted human rights as outlined under the standards of nursing practice issued by the Nurses and Midwifes Council (NMC). Accordingly, my personal statement confirms that I have been able to build strong partnerships and therapeutic relationships with clients in order to offer person-centered nursing care and improve the nursing outcomes. I understand that all health professionals have professional responsibility and accountability for assessment, planning and evaluating standards of health care. I agree with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (2013) that qualified nurses must respect patients’ dignity and provide high standards of care all the time (p 6). Accordingly, mental health nurses must promote the health and mental wellbeing of the clients through preventing mental illness and advising clients on the available therapies (McSherry, Pearce and Tingle, (2011, p 78). From the personal statement, I am capable of identifying the unique needs of the patient such as emotional and physiological distress or changes in behaviour that are associated with psychiatric disorders. Health Professions Council (2004) points out that the nurses must evaluate the emotional stress that may be associated with pain, illness, disabilities or loss (para 3). As a nurse, I will use my knowledge and skills to identify potential mental health problems or psychiatric disorders in fostering the health and safety of the patients (Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2004a, para 4). I have gained knowledge on symptoms of various disorders in my studies and knowledge of several medical procedures of patient illness diagnosis and treatment (Christian, 2005, p 20). I usually assist the patients to improve or regain their coping abilities through reducing the side effects of mental disorders and maximising the strengths of the patient (Scott and Spouse, 2013, p 122). The personal statement demonstrates that I communicate effectively with patients and other stakeholders in health care sector (Sullivan & Garland, 2010, p 7). I use effective communication strategies while dealing with terminally ill patients in order to obtain information that is necessary in adjusting the treatment plans (Jasper, Rosser and Mooney, 2013, p 14). I have acquired experience in different mental health nursing in different clinical practice settings such as general hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, home health care, substance abuse treatment facilities, community health care health agencies and private practice clinics (Standing, 2011, p 345).. Rehabilitation centers and community health facilities provide mental health therapies that aim at enhancing the mental and cognitive functioning of the clients. Professional values My personal statement confirms my continued commitment to nursing professional values that promote the well-being of patients in their nursing practice and decision-making (Jasper (2006). The personal statement confirms that I am capable of assessing and meeting the full range of mental health needs of people of all ages since I am hard working and have caring attitude. In this case, it is evident from my personal statement that I will provide effective and safe care to all patients prior to referring them to specialist services. However, my personal statement fails to indicate how I shared the decision-making role with the patients by informing the client the full range of available treatment plans, therapeutic interventions and assisting the client to make an informed decision during my placement in PICU wards. In addition, the personal statement suffers a setback since it does not outline the need of considering the patient’s culture, socio-economic factors and unique personality in decision-making. I agree that socio-economic factors like income levels, housing and distance to the health facility may affect the commitment of the client to the therapies thus I will take in to consideration these unique factors in planning and delivering nursing care (Webb, 2011, p 55). My personal statement demonstrates that I have attained knowledge and experience in conducting various mental therapies (Peate and Offredy, 2006, p 10). For instance, it is evident that at Cygnet Hospital Beckton cared for patients with acute mental distress and other mental disorders such as bipolar disorder, dementia, depression, and psychosis. Indeed, I my skills attest to McGee (2009) assertion that the fundamental elements of mental health nursing revolve around the ability to develop meaningful and positive therapeutic relationships with clients (p 110). During my placement community mental health team, I displayed compassion and empathy since I managed to build good relationships with patients and offer psychological support to the family members. In this case, my excellent communication skills will enable me to assess and talk to patients about the problems and plan on how to deliver the nursing care together. At the PICU wards, it is evident that I performed evidence-based nursing procedures by collecting specimens for medical analysis and analysing tests from various departments in order to make informed decision on the nursing requirements of the clients. During the placement, I maintained patient dignity through undertaking additional duties such as assisting them to eat, take water and personal hygiene. I used to turn the patients in bed after every few hours in order to make them comfortable and prevent sores on their skin. Communication and interpersonal skills My personal statement has shown that I have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. These skills can be attested by the care and safeguard that I granted to patient in my University placement. According to the personal statement, it is evident that my excellent interpersonal skills enabled me to be responsible and accountable for compassionate, safe, evidence-based and person-centred nursing care while at the same time respecting human dignity and human rights (McCauley, 2011, p 23). However, the personal statement fails to demonstrate understanding of the numerous legal, ethical and professional standards that govern nursing practice such as need to safeguard client’s confidentiality (Department of Education, 2013, p 2). At Kensington Nursing homes, I collaborated will other health care professionals, service users and families in order to ensure shared decision-making. In addition, I observed the code of conduct issued by nurses and midwives in 2008, and actively promoted the rights and wishes of adults while maintaining attention on diversity, equality and needs of the aged population (Moore, 2013, p 63) According to Burton and Ormrod (2011), qualified nurses pay attention to vulnerable people including those with cognitive impairment and long-term conditions (p 43). At Community Learning Disability HM team, my personal statement has failed to indicate how I practiced in a holistic, sensitive and caring manner that supports social inclusion and respects individual choices (Spouse, 2008, p 9). I am capable of providing excellent nursing services that acknowledges diversity and social inclusion. According to Bulman & Schutz (2008), my personal statement is clear that I promoted the health and wellbeing of special groups like aged citizens and those living with disabilities (p. 67). Furthermore, the personal statement is shallow since it does not outline how I will practice independently and limit myself to the knowledge and competence that I have acquired while at the same time seeking advice and assistance on areas that require the input of other healthcare professionals (Brookfield, 1995, p 7). I understand that all nurses are required to use current knowledge and evidence in order to assess, plan, deliver, evaluate and communicate their findings in promoting health and best nursing practices. As a nurse, my personal statement indicates that i am capable of working well in teams and other health care professionals in complex situations that require specialist knowledge and expertise (Humphris, 2000, p 4). Indeed, my personal statement indicates that I am a good listener since the nursing profession requires the nurse to build and maintain partnership and therapeutic relationships through effective and non-discriminatory communication as evidenced by personal statement (Masters, 2013, p 75). In this regard, I have excellent communication skills both verbal and written skills. At Barnet Enfied and Haringey mental Health NHS Trust, I regularly communicated with patients, hospital managers and immediate families of the patients through e-mails in order to inform them on client’s health progress. McCray (2009) asserts that good listening skills will enable a nurse acquire interpret and make patients’ records in order to understand their needs (p 41). However, the personal statement does not indicate whether i have undertaken any efforts order to use the services of language interpreters where necessary and other communication support services that assist patients make informed choices and participate in decision-making (Quinn, 1998, p 10). As a qualified nurses, I will promote the concept and practice of self-care in patients with long-term conditions (NHS, 2013, para 3). During the University Placement, I respected professional boundaries and engage only in professional caring tasks that I was competent to practice (Bulman & Schutz, 2008). My personal statement fails demonstrate whether I am able to accurately keep patient medical records despite having acquired computer applications knowledge and skills to maintain accurate and complete electronic medical records in clear language. From my studies, I accept that nurses have a responsibility of adhering to the legal framework that safeguards patient’s right to confidentiality (Freshwater, 2002, p 29). In this case, I will undertake further study of the legal framework and learn of to follow medical records procedures (Health & Social Care Information Centre, 2013, para 4). Nursing practice and decision-making During my University placement, I demonstrated broad knowledge of the functions and structure of the human body and how to identify behavioral changes and symptoms associated with mental disorders (Lawson & Peate, 2009, p 198). However, the personal statement fails to offer evidence whether I acquired knowledge on treatment of health problems including mental disorders like psychosis and dementia. The personal statement agree with Hoffart and Woods (1996) that qualified nurses will fully respond to the psychological needs of groups and communities, and pay attention to the changing needs during different life stages such as progressive illness, loss and bereavement ( p 358) . According to the statement, I have not gained sufficient nursing practice especially on use of numerous sources of data in order to plan for interventions that increased the access to health screening and promoted social inclusion among the vulnerable groups in the society (Wheeler, 2013, p 18). At the same time, I can confirm that my previous work experience and University placement experience exposed me to various medical devices, technologies and pharmacological interventions. Accordingly, I have gained practical use of various medical devices and knowledge of hazards associated with certain medical equipments that may lead to adverse nursing outcomes (Jasper, 2003, p 19). Leadership, management and team working My personal statement fails to demonstrates whether I have attained essential leadership qualities, managerial skills and teamwork spirit. I agree with Atkins and Murphy (1993) that registered nurses must act as a change agent and ensure quality improvement in nursing practice through inspiring the efforts of co-workers in order to attain common goals of quality patient care. In this case, I will seek opportunities for developing nursing leadership skills that will enable me to systematically evaluate the nursing care and use the findings to improve future client relationships and nursing services (p. 1190). My higher diploma in administration enables me to identify priorities and allocate resources effectively in order to enhance the quality of nursing care. At PICU wards, I failed to demonstrate self-awareness and understanding of my unique values and assumptions through not letting my religious beliefs interfere with my professional roles (Baillie and Arnold, 2005, p 34). From personal experience, I have not demonstrated self-awareness in hospitals as evidenced by feedback from my colleagues. During University placement, I worked under supervision and integrated well in teams since thus failing to demonstrate independence and autonomy in nursing practice (White, Fook and Gardner, 2006, p 92). After transiting to a registered nurse, I am sure that I will respect the contribution of other health care professionals to integrated person-centered care (Schon, 1983, p 32). I can coordinate smooth transition between several agencies involved in healthcare services. I believe that managerial skills will assist me in recruiting subordinates at the health facility and delegating work to junior nurses after acquiring further learning and practice. Strategies to support continuing professional development I am aware that all nurses are accountable and responsible for updating their knowledge and skills through continuing professional development in order to enhance the safety and quality of care (Huston, 2013, p 19). I do appreciate the importance of evidence in practice and research activities that aim at enhancing nursing theory and discovering new nursing techniques that aim at enhancing the quality of nursing care. I am committed to transiting from nursing student to qualified nurse by completing my degree in nursing and registering with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). I will rely on mentorship and preceptorship in order to support continuing professional development. I believe that mentorship will provide me with role modelling programs that foster healthier work environment and enable me to successfully grow as a new nurse. I will be capable of enhancing my leadership skills and acquire resources that are necessary in developing various domains of nursing practice. I will seek to develop advanced personal attributes such as warmth, flexibility and sincerity. In this case, I will benefit from decreased work stress, increased job confidence and competence, and leadership development. I believe that preceptorship will enable me expand my professional networks and acquire excellent experience in the four domains of nursing practice. In this case, I will select programs that will enable me gain conflict-resolution skills, enable me to adapt to changes and display respect for diversity of patients in the workplace. Accordingly, I will seek to understand the limits of the roles of a nurse within a multidisciplinary team and how to ensure policies and procedures are followed while dealing with clients. I prefer working with mentors who express belief in the potential of others and accept diversity in order to attain the same values (Royal College of Nursing, 2004, p 67). At the same time, i will seek to gain independence and autonomy in order to explore new perspectives and learn how to manage crises in the health facilities. I understand this is a prerequisite of employment and licensed professional practice. I will meet the post-registration education and practice (PREP) standards by attaining at least 450 hours of relevant practice be registered as a nurse in the previous three years and later through undertaking at least 35 hours of learning activity that is relevant to nursing practice every three years. I will maintain a personal professional profile of the learning activities that I undertake and comply with all requests to audit my learning activities. I am committed to furthering my knowledge through pursuing a masters degree in advanced mental health nursing and attending several training courses on management of client-nurse therapeutic relationships. I will continue with my nursing education until I become ward manager and possibly a senior ward manager (Johns, 2013, p 24). Conclusion From the above critique of personal statement, I believe I have acquired critical nursing knowledge and skills from my current studies, training opportunities, university placement, and previous work experience. I acknowledge the importance of adhering with the Nursing and midwifery standards and I am ready to transit from nursing student to qualified nurse after completion of my studies. I am committed to continuous professional development and I will engage in further studies and gain more experience in order to comply with the registration standards issued by the Council. 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