A Journey of Growth in Nursing

Introduction

During my nursing rotation in the intensive care unit (ICU), I experienced the clinical incident I have chosen to reflect on. It was a normal Tuesday evening, with the buzz of medical machinery and the infrequent faint murmurs of nurses and physicians permeating the air. I was assigned to Mrs. Smith, a middle-aged patient recovering from surgery. Her condition rapidly declined in a matter of seconds. Alarms went off, indicating a serious shift in her clinical state. The rapid entry of a Rapid Response team and the subsequent hectic flurry of a Code Blue caused the room to vibrate urgently.

Description

`           I found myself amid this emergency, hands trembling as I assisted the team. Doctors and nurses hurriedly administered life-saving interventions while I fetched necessary supplies and updated patient records. The situation’s intensity was palpable, the air thick with tension and urgency (Okoli et al., 2021). Despite the chaos, teamwork prevailed, and everyone worked seamlessly to stabilize Mrs. Smith.

Feelings

I felt ready and in control before things got out of hand. But as things went on, my confidence faltered and was replaced by a conflict of terror and tenacity. I could see the terror in Mrs. Smith’s and her family’s eyes, which coincided with my anxiety. After the incident, I was overcome with a rush of feelings, including relief that we had stabilized the patient and a strong sympathy for Mrs. Smith and her family, whose lives had been irrevocably altered.

Evaluation

The circumstances contrasted my abilities and shortcomings as a novice nurse. Additionally, my ability to remain composed in the face of turmoil and work well with others in a team shined. These traits strengthened the group effort and reassured the patient’s relatives in times of difficulty (Li et al., 2019). However, my inability to communicate came to light as a weakness, preventing the team from sharing crucial knowledge. This event brought home the importance of communicating clearly and succinctly while under pressure (Kim et al., 2023). It also showed me how much I needed to practice proactive anticipating, a critical skill in nursing. Recognizing these elements motivates me to improve my communication abilities and develop a proactive mentality in preparation for problems in the future.

Action

I have developed a thorough self-improvement plan to fill the holes in my skills. I am resolved to sign up for communication classes designed specifically for medical practitioners. These sessions will give me the skills and tools necessary for successful communication under duress, enabling me to communicate ideas effectively, even during a crisis. I also appreciate the crucial part simulations play in developing one’s talents. I intend to participate in accurate role-playing that resembles genuine crises, providing a secure setting to hone my communication and decision-making skills. I can hone my replies and develop my knowledge by immersing myself in these simulated circumstances. In addition, I understand that wisdom comes from experience. I pledge to aggressively seek input from seasoned nurses and medical professionals, enthusiastically consuming their thoughts and benefiting from their experience. My compass will be constructive criticism, showing me where I need to grow and providing me with a growth strategy. Developing a proactive mentality is a key component of my growth strategy. I shall devote myself to reflective self-learning to do this. I will continue my studies and stay up with the most recent developments in the medical industry.

References

Kim, K., Lee, J., & Yoon, J. (2023). Effects of Emotional Regulation, Resilience, and Distress Disclosure on Post-Traumatic Growth in Nursing Students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20042782

Li, Y., Bai, H., Lou, F., & Cao, F. (2019). A conceptual model of posttraumatic growth of nursing students with a disabled parent. International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 6(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnss.2019.09.002

Okoli, C. T. C., Seng, S., Lykins, A., & Higgins, J. T. (2021). Correlates of post-traumatic growth among nursing professionals: A cross-sectional analysis. Journal of Nursing Management, 29(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13155