Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Independent Learning For Nursing Nursing Essay

Independent Learning For Nursing Nursing Essay Reflection is a way to look back on what a person experienced on a certain event. The purpose of this reflective essay is for me to mull over on what I have learned from my direct experience on placement. I opt to utilise on this reflective essay A Model of Structured Reflection by Driscoll (2007). This Model has three questions, what, so what and now what for me to answer and at the same time to ponder about my practice experience; hence I chose to take advantage on Driscolls model as it is very handy to apply even with or without a paper and pen, as all I need to bring to mind is the above aforementioned three questions. I will tackle what I think it matters to me most from my two weeks practice placement, share some learning needs from the learning plan and analysing whether I gained knowledge and understanding that can be applied in a new situation (Howatson-Jones, 2010). I was in the ward on my two weeks introductory period of practice experience. On my first day, the Ward Manager introduced me to her team. She had told me that my mentor was not around at that time; hence she handed me over to one of the nurses in-charge. As I came on an early shift, I have observed the patients hand over from night staff (Wywialowski, 2003). They printed out a handover sheet for each one of us. At first, I was a bit muddled up on how the night nurse was endorsing the patient, maybe because I am new, and not use to it. There are acronyms that they usually use, and I was telling myself that I have to familiarise the medical terms used so I could understand and comprehend, even I am supernumerary I want to be part of the team whilst learning (Jelphs and Dickinson, 2008). After the handover, the nurse asked me to be with the Health Care Assistant (HCA) at the moment, for me to be acquainted with the patients and adapt with the daily routine. I am fortunate that the HCA was helpful, and she taught me a lot about how to assist patient on personal hygiene. She showed me how to use the Blood Glucose monitor and plot it down on patients chart (The Global Diabetes Community, 2013). In addition, she taught me that they usually take the observation every four hourly if the patient is not on close observation. The days have gone by so quick; I was productive on my day to day experience as a student nurse. I never wasted my time just standing there without accomplishing anything at the end of my shift. With my passion of caring to patients, I become accustomed on dealing with the patient, assisted to go to the toilet, gave a hand to those who are not able to care for themselves, especially the immobilised patients. I became certain on writing down the nursing care plan of a patient (Lloyd, 2010), observed the Nasogastric tube (NGT) (Macmillan Cancer Support, 2013) and Electrocardiogram (ECG) procedures done by the staff nurse and HCA respectively (British H eart Foundation, 2013). I volunteered myself as well to get the take away medication of the patient in the Pharmacy. Furthermore, I have learned how to fill up the Nursing Assessment forms for a new patient admitted; I have done the said forms by means of communicating with the patient and family. I have mentioned the word communicating as there was a non-spoken English patient admitted because of back pain. In complying with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code of Professional Conduct (2010) about confidentiality, I will be using a false name for her. It was hand over to the day staff that English is not her first language; hence, Mrs. C cannot speak and comprehend well. When I went to her bedside to take her vital signs, I asked if she has any pain at the moment, she nodded her head and touched her back (White, 2005). I have seen the grimace caused of pain on her back. I reported to the nurse right away that Mrs. C is in pain, and she is due for another dose of pain killer based on her Drug Chart; as a result, Mrs. C has taken the said medication. I informed Mrs. C with the use of verbal and non-verbal gestures that she will undergo Colonoscopy to check whats causing her pain (Sully and Dallas, 2010). We waited for her nephew before accompanying them in the Gastroenterology Department as she needs somebody to translate the conversation on her behalf. Since it was my first time to watch a patient doing the procedure, I grabbed the opportunity to request from the Specialist Nurse if I can go inside and observe the procedure which she willingly accepted. I also asked permission from Mrs. C through her nephew; I was grateful when he told me his aunt wanted me to come with her in the colonoscopy room. During the procedure, I sat next to Mrs. C whilst holding her hand as she was feeling uneasy with the endoscope inserted into her anus. The Specialist Nurse has given me a few insights in relation to what she was trying to look inside the colon of Mrs. C. I was privileged for having an exquisite time of basic understanding about Colonoscopy (BUPA, 2011). After the procedure, Mrs. C has given me a hug and was thankful. I smiled and responded that it was my pleasure to help her. We went back to the ward, and before I leave Mrs. C on her bed with the assurance that she was comfortable and safe, her nephew expressed his appreciation for looking after his aunt whilst he was not around. Moreover, Mrs. C told him about me being there rubbing her back when she was in agony. I was overwhelmed on how they recognised my presence of comforting her for a short span of time and without much verbal communication. On the above scenario, I have achieved one of my learning needs, the effective communication between patient and me as a student nurse. Despite the inability of Mrs. C to express herself verbally, I was so sensitive observing her gestures and actions thus I can extend the appropriate care and assistance she needed. By intently looking at her countenance, I can interpret what she was trying to convey to me; henceforth I was able to address her needs. I have realised how vital is verbal and non-verbal communication in nursing. As a student nurse, I should be sensitive to the patients nonverbal message. I should not let language be a hindrance in giving the nursing intervention for the patient to recover and return in optimal health (Andrews and Boyle, 2008). Care of people is the priority of all nurses; this is one of the four principles of NMC Code (2010). The provision of care for the patient should be done in a holistic approach that includes the activities of their daily living (Ne wton, 1995). A simple act of care means a lot to the patient; consequently, I will put into practice again what I have learned from this in the future. Another learning need that I partially accomplished was being able to observe how to perform the Colonoscopy procedure. I partially achieved it because we have no time to explore the method used to find any abnormalities or inflammation from the patient; however, I did some informative readings about the procedure. To summarise what I have learned on my placement, I was able to see the nurses responsibilities. How they manage to give the best nursing interventions in a busy ward. How they collaborate to other health professionals for updating the patients care plan. I have proved to myself that most patients usually depend on nurses as they are the one who provide direct care on them (Altman, 2010). I do believe that nursing is a never ending process of learning; thereby ensuring that nurses are up to date with their trainings and education; otherwise the highest possible care for the patients will not be met. As a student, I have to be dedicated, motivated and inspired to achieve my ambitions in life (Maslow, 1954); continually accepting any challenges for my personal development. For the meantime, I will set my goals on what I want to learn; recognising any learning outcome on my learning plan as this will draw me closer to my aspiration, to be a Qualified Nurse (Peate, 2006). My two weeks pr actice experience was superlative. The Faculty of Nursing in the hospital provided teaching sessions that will develop us to be competent (McNiff, 1993). All the staff in the ward where I worked with were supportive and compassionate. I am looking forward for my next placement, for me to implement what I have learned from my previous one, and be able to identify new learning opportunities. In conclusion, practice placement is a day of experience, a day of new learning.

Monday, January 20, 2020

The Workings of Destiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice in Oedipus the

Fate in Oedipus Rex    Sophocles' tragic tale of Oedipus presents the reader with a very bleak view of mankind and the world in general. According to the story, every person is predestined to enact a role scripted by fate, a "mysterious power" that rules even the greatest of Greek gods (Hamilton, 27). In this tale, the source of this fate is not as clear as its function.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The first of many allusions to fate in Oedipus the King comes from the chorus, which calls upon the gods Athena, Artemis, and Phoebus (Apollo), "three averters of Fate," (Sophocles 163) to save Thebes.   The phrase implied that the gods could help man avoid the dictates of fate, but that they cannot alter fate.   Sharing the terrible facts of Laius' death, Teiresias tells Oedipus:   "It is not fate that I should be your ruin, Apollo is enough; it is his care/to work this out" (Sophocles 376-378).   The prophet's pronouncement links fate and Apollo, yet he suggest... ... the Sphinx in its puzzling presence and ruthless punishment of the innocent.   If Oedipus the King does not define fate, it aptly demonstrates its workings.    Works Cited: Greene, David and Richmond Lattimore, Eds.   Greek Tragedies.   2nd ed. Vol. 1. Chicago:  Ã‚  Ã‚   U of Chicago P, 1991. Hamilton, Edith.   Mythology.   New York:   Penguin, 1969. Sophocles.   "Oedipus Rex."   An Introduction to Literature, 11th ed.Eds. Sylvan Barnet, et al.   New York: Longman, 1997.

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Walden questions

Thoreau reasons for leaving Walden Pond and how does he relate them to the habits people develop? Thoreau initial reason for coming to Walden was to live as many lives as possible. He left stating â€Å"l left the woods for as good a reason as I went there. † (933) This means that Thoreau left because he had other experiences to live through. He was done with this segment of his life, and he did not want to live a routine life like many people are stuck in. He wanted to see the oral in many different lifestyles, staying in Walden would not help him achieve this. ) What is and is not important to Thoreau based on what he says? Thoreau believes that doing all these trivial, small things in unimportant. There is not much to gain from getting small new objects or completing small tasks. All it does is over complicate life and turn it into a mess. â€Å"In proportion as he simplifies his life, the laws of the universe will appear less complex, and solitude will not be solitude, no r poverty poverty, nor weakness weakness. (933) Simplicity, as ironic as it sounds, is important.Simplicity makes life look clear, it does not clog up thoughts or shroud dreams like a complicated life would. A person's brain is clear to make a path of their own with a simple life, nothing Is In the way. 3) What did Thoreau hope to learn from his experience? What did he actually learn? Thoreau went to Walden to live a different life, In no rush to find economical success unlike most men. At Walden, he reflects to people In such a hurry to achieve heir dreams while losing track of It because of their rush. The life In us Is Like the water in the river. It may rise this year higher than man has ever known It, and flood the parched uplands; even this may be the eventful year, which will drown out all our muskrats. † (938) When going for an achievement In a less forced and more natural way, the Individual has potential to go further, Like water. Thoreau realizes this from his stay at Walden. Everyone has a light Inside them, and their Jobs Is to keep It alive and breathing by not forcing through life.

Friday, January 3, 2020

Compare and Contrast Early Years Foundation Stage...

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum in England differs greatly in structure and content to the Te Whariki curriculum in New Zealand; this therefore makes for an interesting comparison. The EYFS was introduced in England, in 2008, by the DfE as a framework that ‘sets the standards for learning, development and care of children from birth to five’ (DfE, 2012). Alternatively, Te Whariki was founded in New Zealand, in 1996, based on the aspirations for children ‘to grow up as competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body, and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society’ (Ministry of Education, 1996). Throughout this essay, the EYFS†¦show more content†¦Furthermore, this means that children could be provided with an inadequate range of literacy experiences. Many studies have found that children’s literacy experience, before they start sch ool, has a significant impact on later progress in learning to read and write (National Early Literacy Panel, 2008). Therefore, in relation to New Zealand’s Te Whariki curriculum this could have detrimental effects on their pupils. As highlighted, it is clear to see that literacy experiences are of great value and importance in a child’s early and later development (National Early Literacy Panel, 2008). The EYFS curriculum framework clearly displays this information for all Early Year practitioners to follow, demonstrating its importance. Moreover, the DfE (2012) believes it is important for all young children to receive the same Early Years education, despite the child’s background and the EYFS curriculum framework accommodates this. Additionally, the EYFS curriculum is linked to the National Curriculum in primary schools, and its framework helps to ensure that the child is ready to enter primary school (Soler and Miller, 2010). In contrast, the Te Whariki curriculum focuses moreShow MoreRelatedInternational Perspectives on Early Childhood Education1070 Words   |  4 PagesAn increased awareness of the implications of quality experiences in the early years has resulted in a growing interest in early childhood education. Subsequently, this has generated an interest in differing examples of early childhood curriculums. The following essay will critique the international approach, Te Whà £riki and compare the New Zealand educational system to the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum of the United Kingdom. The essay will include reflection upon the similaritiesRead MoreEarly Childhood Curriculum2755 Words   |  12 PagesDiscuss Early Childhood Curriculum approaches: Compare and Contrast of High/Scope, Reggio and Te Whariki Introduction: Early Childhood is an important stage of children’s life. By interacting with people around (each other and the adults), children explore and make sense of the world around them. A successful early childhood curriculum should fulfill children’s need to give children rich experience at the most important developmental stage of their lives. This paper will critically discuss, compareRead MoreEarly Childhood Curriculum2748 Words   |  11 PagesDiscuss Early Childhood Curriculum approaches: Compare and Contrast of High/Scope, Reggio and Te Whariki Introduction: Early Childhood is an important stage of children’s life. By interacting with people around (each other and the adults), children explore and make sense of the world around them. A successful early childhood curriculum should fulfill children’s need to give children rich experience at the most important developmental stage of their lives. This paper will critically discuss, compareRead MoreThe Importance Of Play Development Of Children1821 Words   |  8 Pagesplay in the development of children, in terms of physical, social, intellectual and emotional growth. This essay also compares and contrast the different socio-cultural perspective of play between the Philippines and New Zealand. In addition, this essay connects to Urie Bronfenbrenner and Jean Piaget theories on play and link it to the New Zealand early childhood curriculum – Te Whariki. The play is an important part of the development of a child. As children play, it is substantially more essential