LEARNING COMPETENCE
I followed the organization’s standard and procedures. After each shift and sometimes after procedures, my tutors were able to provide me with constructive comments which helped me perform my duties more efficiently and made it easier for me to apply theoretical knowledge to real-life scenarios. After-shift feedback also helped me in identifying my strengths like working aseptically and also consider where I need to work more on like learning more surgical instruments.
ETHICAL KNOWLEDGE AND PROFESSIONALISM
My understanding of nursing values and fundamental nursing concepts enabled me to interact with patients in a professional manner. I was able to work with each patient while upholding their rights without violating their human dignity, religious beliefs or privacy, I also did not breach the document confidentiality of social welfare and health care services. These were all due to my willingness to participate in challenging scenarios which encouraged me to be more professional in the performance of my nursing duties.
WORK COMMUNITY SKILLS
I was able to follow the unit’s agreed-upon rules and protocols. Additionally, as a student, I was aware of my limitations in carrying out my responsibilities. I also learnt how to work cordially with other nurses and the healthcare team in my unit. This was achievable through orientation and supervision of my mentor nurse.
CLNICAL SKILLS (INTRA-OPERATIVE NURSING)
I was able to able to work and gain knowledge in the capacity of nurses’ roles in the operating room. As the circulating nurse, I was in charge of ensuring all equipment for surgery are in perfect and working order, assisting with the gowning of the scrub nurse and other surgical team members, reading out the WHO checklist before the commencement of the surgery, provision of additional supplies and sterile instruments. As a scrub nurse, I surgically scrubbed up and assisted the surgeon by handing him or her sterile instruments during the surgery, ensuring all instruments are sterile and ready to use for the particular surgery at hand. As a nurse anesthetist, I provided prescribed pain medication care before, during and after the surgery, I also gave psychological support and interacted with the surgical patients.
Through out the surgical procedures the ABCDE approach was used to assess and plan patient’s care, the input and output rates were closely monitored and aseptic technique were adequately followed. Patient’s privacy was also maintained by ensuring unnecessary areas of the body was not exposed. Vital signs were closely monitored such as the blood pressure, pulse, respiration, temperature oxygen saturation. I was able to achieve all of these through setting clear goals and the guidance of my mentor nurse.
EVIDENCE-ASED NURSING AND DECISION MAKING
I was able to search for additional knowledge on various ailments, their signs and symptoms, treatment plan, medications, surgical procedures, surgical instruments using various learning portals such as terveysportti, BNF, e books, search engines and so no.
GUIDANCE AND EDUCATION COMPETENCE
I was able to give the patients psychological support before, during and after the surgery in order to allay their fears and anxiety. patients were also taught breathing exercises and positioning to help reduce pain. These were achieved by communicating with the patient while giving attention to their responses.
QUALITY AND SAFETY OF SOCIAL AND HELTH SERVICE COMPETENCE
I was able to ensure quality care and patient’s safety by implementing a nursing care plan in line with doctor’s order and also involving patients in their care. Also, by ensuring all equipment and instruments used for surgical procedures were sterile and aseptic techniques were used all through procedures.
The training and practice went well, you are a matured and responsible person. You were eager to learn new things. You are bold enough and confident to ask questions and participate. You also communicated well with other colleagues to achieve the set goal.
You report on duty early enough and work through the day and follow the rules and regulations. You were never absent from work and were able to learn new things.
Ethical and Professionality in Nursing
You were enlightened on the ethical aspect of perioperative nursing which include surgical conscience and you adhered to it and you treated every patient with respect. You also gave patients and relatives psychological support by allaying their fears and anxieties about the surgery. In all of this, you were able to recognize your own limit as a student.
Clinical Competence
You went through the surgical safety checklist prior to and after surgeries to ensure the safety of the patients reluctantly at first because you were scared of doing it wrongly but with my encouragement and guidance, you were able to overcome those fears and you did it excellently. You used the ABCDE approach when assessing the patients during and after surgery. You did your role well as a circulating nurse and you followed the aseptic technique being practiced in the theatre. As a scrub nurse, you were able to perform your role by picking the right instrument for the surgeon amongst other things with my assistance and guidance due to your teachability.
Guidance and Teaching Competence
You were able to guide patients in post operative management such as gradual ambulation, positioning, resumption of meals per os after surgery and wound care management and so on.
I am glad to tell you that you passed your perioperative nursing internship.