Reflective Journal
Clinicals has become a definite insight into myself and the emotions, that sometimes in life, I have become numb to. Dealing with those around me and visualizing them as possibly some of my own family members, can cause an overflow of emotions that for a nurse could be a good or bad thing for many. Being overly emotional can result in not giving adequate care for the patient because my emotions may interfere with other disciplinaries decisions of care on the patient. On the other hand, being numb to it all can also decrease the level of care a nurse can give because the nurse may forget that a patient is still a human being and not just …show more content…
I learned how to use the facilities new diabetic equipment along with the best techniques to apply and discard PPE. Through the patients PEG tube I was able to accomplish a task that I am not often able to utilize of bolus feeding. She uses Jevity 1.2 and receives 480ml/feed. Jevity is a high-protein and fiber fortified tube feeding formula used when a patient can no longer eat using their mouths (Medline, 2018). In giving the feeding I made sure to have all my supplies which included measuring cups, the feeding formula, a towel, and a syringe. I filled her measuring cup and had the nurse recheck my amount to be sure. I then placed a towel under her tubing and over her bed and clothing to make sure not to spill anything on the patient’s belongings. Using the syringe, I injected water into the tube to check for patency and placing. The water flushes the tube to clear any debris that may be blocking the fluids. I removed the plunger and used the tube as a funnel to pour the formula into. After finishing the required amount, I used more water to flush the tubing, clamped it and closed the cap, making sure to make her comfortable afterwards with call light in reach. While feeding the patient I could see that in her face she was a little uncomfortable and I assumed it was because I was someone she was unfamiliar with. At this point I had to ask myself if I was doing the right thing as a nursing student because she was unable to tell me whether she wanted me to care for her. At this point instead of projecting my insecurities of what I felt, I decided to use therapeutic communication. I touched her hand and voiced to her that she was okay as I have done this before and I would not let anything happen to her. I watched as her face slowly had a sense of calm and she looked to my preceptor for reassurance which she received with kind words from her as
Clinicals has become a definite insight into myself and the emotions, that sometimes in life, I have become numb to. Dealing with those around me and visualizing them as possibly some of my own family members, can cause an overflow of emotions that for a nurse could be a good or bad thing for many. Being overly emotional can result in not giving adequate care for the patient because my emotions may interfere with other disciplinaries decisions of care on the patient. On the other hand, being numb to it all can also decrease the level of care a nurse can give because the nurse may forget that a patient is still a human being and not just …show more content…
I learned how to use the facilities new diabetic equipment along with the best techniques to apply and discard PPE. Through the patients PEG tube I was able to accomplish a task that I am not often able to utilize of bolus feeding. She uses Jevity 1.2 and receives 480ml/feed. Jevity is a high-protein and fiber fortified tube feeding formula used when a patient can no longer eat using their mouths (Medline, 2018). In giving the feeding I made sure to have all my supplies which included measuring cups, the feeding formula, a towel, and a syringe. I filled her measuring cup and had the nurse recheck my amount to be sure. I then placed a towel under her tubing and over her bed and clothing to make sure not to spill anything on the patient’s belongings. Using the syringe, I injected water into the tube to check for patency and placing. The water flushes the tube to clear any debris that may be blocking the fluids. I removed the plunger and used the tube as a funnel to pour the formula into. After finishing the required amount, I used more water to flush the tubing, clamped it and closed the cap, making sure to make her comfortable afterwards with call light in reach. While feeding the patient I could see that in her face she was a little uncomfortable and I assumed it was because I was someone she was unfamiliar with. At this point I had to ask myself if I was doing the right thing as a nursing student because she was unable to tell me whether she wanted me to care for her. At this point instead of projecting my insecurities of what I felt, I decided to use therapeutic communication. I touched her hand and voiced to her that she was okay as I have done this before and I would not let anything happen to her. I watched as her face slowly had a sense of calm and she looked to my preceptor for reassurance which she received with kind words from her as