Assessment 2: Completion of Reflection on Clinical Practice

During the course of my Nursing journey, I developed and gained a desire to commence nursing practice as a 2nd year student. It is crucial to understand that a nurse’s routine acknowledges the confidence of daily practice, based on developing the most capable and effective way of explaining all problems. Throughout this whole semester, I have not yet gotten any placement; however, I did practice with CPU at western University. Further, I implemented and felt comfortable in using IV fluids as Gibbs’s ‘reflective cycle’ (1988) critically states the care and administration involved in IV fluid management. Between first and second week of a unit session on CPU practice, our tutor divided us into groups and instructed us to clearly follow and complete the task by observation and gathering data and information from a patient.

Moreover, I collected all necessary equipment from the medication room as listed per the instruction on the task. Following this, I progressed carefully on  check valid order for the patient then five right after I structuring prime the line procedure for my patient and .  However, before supplying IV fluid, I failed to advance into a third check with 2nd RN with five routes and felt disappointed at myself to not be able to clear the mistake. Furthermore, at the occurrence of this situation I felt nervous and unsure of my nursing skills which are significantly required from a nurse in the future. Conversely, I should have not been nervous as my role is to be prepared and act accordingly to these kinds of incidents which are required from me and are part of my nursing skills. The assessment of this situation has the negative aspect on the lack of confidence in effectively implementing the practice of nursing care to the patient. However, the positive aspect was that I participated as a student nurse in the procedure of maintaining the patient’s health and safety.  Caple (2015) stated that nurse should prepare IV fluid solution and administering to confirm the safe management of parental fluids. Also, recognize the patient, using six “rights” and medication administration (example right patient, right drug, right dose, right time, right route, and right documentation).  As a result, I have gained a thorough understanding on IV fluids administration and procedure and the fact that it is a nurse’s responsibility to monitor the patient and prevent errors in a regular basis that could cause an affect to patients (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, 2006).

A registered nurse explains competence in the provision of nursing care via various domains of nursing practise 1.2 that authorizes to perform nursing interventions following comprehensive and precise assessments, 1.3 which further permits the recognition  and the ability to act in response with unprofessional practise which is determinable to achieving optimal care, and lastly 4.2 which accords on reflecting on own practise while seeking support from colleagues in identifying professional development and learning needs(Nursing and midwifery Board, 2006). In relation to these standards, it is expected of nurses to apply critical skills which will be further developed via critical thinking, clinical reasoning and critical reflection. Furthermore, the negative aspect of this occurrence was that it was unsafe and inappropriate. The outcome of this situation developed my knowledge and understanding on the experience and practice from failing to precede a third check after commencing IV fluid procedures with accuracy and precision. Correspondingly, research has specified that errors such as this incident could be a result of lack of training or inadequate knowledge (Cheragi, et al., 2013).

As a result, this learning aspect made me feel more confident with IV fluid administration because improvement was seen the following week and there were no signs of bubbles due to carefully implementing the third check with five routes. It was a positive consequence of the learning experience allowing me to supersede any future mistakes. Nurse educators develop research-based evidence to encourage good practice in education. Student nurses have many skills to develop and as professional helpful practitioners develop their own knowledge and skills is maintained (Holland, 2016). According to Nursing and Midwifery (2006), studies have been conducted to demonstrate the significance of reflection as a pivotal requirement for nurses to practice within own scope by being confidence and accountable for individual dealings.

During the analysis the situation was seen as an opportunity for me to learn key practical skills and develop my understanding of some of the human dynamics such as team dynamics, roles, leadership and communication and the management of stress and grief the understanding. This is a significant principle that supports in the development and implementation of a treatment plan, which provides safe care to patients. Moreover, seeking and considering feedback will improve the lack of confidence and precision in nursing practice (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, 2006).