Learning skills
I have been able to plan my shifts with my mentor nurse and also set out clear and achievable goals for this internship and how I want to achieve them right from the onset. I make it an habit to ask for feedback and also reflect weekly on my blog which has helped me to stay focused on my goals.
Ethical Competence and Professionalism
My nursing care has been guided by the ethics of nursing whereby the residents and their family members were treated with dignity and respect, their health records were treated with utmost confidentiality. Patient’s safety was also prioritize when rendering nursing care.
Clinical Competence
I have been able to improve on my clinical expertise in elderly care through the use of the various assessment tool for functional ability such as the MMSE, RAI, these has given me more insight into elderly needs and care. Also, various databases such as Terveysportti, BNF were used to get to learn more about their medications and interactions in order to be able to give proper guidance and education. Also, I observed that medication dosage such as paracetamol was modified in the elderly to 500mg. I ensure I work using aseptic techniques in order to prevent the spread of infection. I have also been improving on ergonomic skills because I realized from previous internship that is an area I needed to work on.
Social and Healthcare Working Environment and Evidence Based Care
I have been able to work according to care guidelines as stipulated by my training unit and local healthcare authority. I have been able to assess the service needs of my clients and also refer them to necessary quarters that offers the services needed.
Guidance and Teaching Competence
The guidance of residents and sometimes loved ones is what I tend and ensure to do almost on a daily basis because of their forgetfulness due to their underlying medical condition as most of them suffer from one form of dementia or another, this has greatly improved my patience and resilience which are qualities required of nurses.
Work Community Competence
During one of the doctor’s visitation and consultation, I was able to make tangible contributions as regards patients and be able to make achievable care plan. Also, I worked with physiotherapist to create physical activity for residents successfully.
Dear Damilola,
It was a great pleasure to have the mid-internship evaluation with you. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss about your progress in gerontological and home nursing internship and to map areas that you need to develop in the coming weeks.
Based on our discussion and the reflection on your blog, it is clear that you have developed greatly in the last two and half weeks, on several fronts that includes assisting clients with activities of daily living, promoting clients functional activities , safe medication administration, carried out nursing interventions, among others. Keep up the good work in the next weeks and in your future career.
It is quite encouraging that you have taken an active role in your learning process, and has been able to interact with clients well and respectfully and understand your role as a student and as a nurse. You clearly understand your strengths and able to put them to good use, and also recogonised areas that you need to develop. Take keen note on what we talked about during the discussion such as RAI assessment , documentation of nursing care processes, going deeper in understanding the bigger picture of taking care of elderly patients, their medications effects and side effects , and the nursing roles in general.
I am happy that you have the right attitude, ready to learn , and you are self initiated. You also treat patients with respect and you are enthusiastic about your work. Take advantage of this opportunity to hone the different competencies. Continue to challenge yourself and learn more. We agreed that for the final evaluation, there is no need for the teacher to be present, therefore, you can have the final discussion with your mentor. However, in case there is a need to attend then I am always available.
Enjoy your internship and continue with the good work!