In the last week of my internship in gerontology and geriatrics, I continued to give the residents excellent care while thinking back on the abilities, information, and experiences I had acquired. Under the direction of my mentor, I used comprehensive nursing interventions to promote patients’ physical, emotional, and social well-being and manage residents’ diseases. To maintain safety and dignity, this involved giving medication, keeping an eye on vital signs, doing RAI, Mini-mental State Examination, and helping with everyday life activities.

I also worked on improving my nonverbal communication and communication skills. A simple discussion was helpful, as was carefully listening to patients and working with families and the medical staff to develop personalized care plans. I helped patients feel more at ease and trusted by exhibiting professionalism, empathy, and patience. In addition, I discussed ethical issues, such as upholding cultural norms and autonomy in the provision of healthcare.

I focused on residents’ medications towards the last two weeks of my gerontology internship. I participated in the doctor’s round and took responsibility during the session. My capacity to efficiently prioritize tasks in a dynamic care environment. This training has improved my advocacy, critical thinking, and flexibility, preparing me to deliver comprehensive, compassionate care in gerontology settings.

LEARNING SKILLS

I used successful learning strategies during my internship in gerontology and geriatric nursing by interacting with my mentors and residents in a proactive manner. To evaluate patient requirements and create care plans, I applied critical thinking. My mentor and I talked about it more, and the care is geared for the elderly people. I chronicled my experiences and pinpointed opportunities for growth by keeping a reflective study of myself. My comprehension of holistic care was improved by working with interdisciplinary teams. To guide my activities and allow me to ask questions, when necessary, I also used evidence-based practices by examining recent research and the resident’s condition, then comparing it with the report in the case file. In addition to broadening my knowledge, this methodical approach greatly aided me in reaching my ultimate objective of offering the residents compassionate, high-quality care.

ETHICAL COMPETENCE AND PROFESSIONALISM

Throughout my internship in gerontology and geriatric nursing, I demonstrated ethical competence by continuously upholding patients’ autonomy, privacy, and cultural values. Prioritizing patient dignity, particularly while doing personal care activities, I made sure informed consent was acquired prior to any treatments. I strengthened the patient-centred approach by standing up for their needs and preferences. I followed nursing standards, was on time, and took responsibility for my work to preserve professionalism. To build trust and cooperation and make sure that patients’ concerns were taken into consideration and incorporated into treatment plans, I successfully communicated with patients, my mentor, and the medical staff. Additionally, I demonstrated maturity and sensitivity by handling difficulties coolly and adjusting to the various requirements of my patients. By assuring the comfort and well-being of elderly people, these practices enabled me to fulfill my mission of providing ethical, compassionate, and comprehensive care.

SOCIAL AND HEALTHCARE WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND EVIDENCE-BASED CARE.

To provide cohesive care, I made use of my social and healthcare work environments by encouraging cooperation, open communication, and teamwork with coworkers and patients’ families. I offered safe, efficient treatments by incorporating evidence-based procedures including fall prevention guidelines and customized care plans. My objective of providing high-quality, patient-centred geriatric care was accomplished with the use of these strategies.

EDUCATION AND TEACHING COMPETENCE

By educating patients and their families about managing ailment, medication adherence, and encouraging healthy lifestyles, I put my education and teaching skills to use. During my gerontology internship, I also helped patients understand their care plans and fall prevention strategies, which promoted empowerment and enhanced results. I contributed to case discussions with the doctor, fostered a learning environment, and exchanged thoughts with my mentor. My ability to make difficult ideas easier to understand enhanced communication and gave patients and their families more control over decisions about their care. I constantly ask questions from my mentor if I unsure about something. My mentor feedback and response has given me more courage to work more as a nurse and independently.

WORK COMMUNITY COMPETENCE

I actively participated in team discussions, exchanged ideas on patient-centred strategies, and gained knowledge from mentors and colleagues. By fostering positive relationships with the residents and staff, I was able to enhance patient care while also fostering an environment that was conducive to learning. I also took part in group activities for the residents, such as taking a stroll and meeting the kindergarteners on Valentine’s Day to improve their social skills. My capacity to collaborate with others in the team guaranteed efficient care delivery and fostered a community of support for all parties.

CLINICAL SKILLS

I applied evidence-based practices to provide safe, effective care for elderly patients during my gerontology and geriatric nursing internship, demonstrating my clinical nursing competence. I worked with my mentor to conduct health assessments to determine the resident’s physical, cognitive, and emotional needs, and I also reported any deviations from the resident’s normal values or activities, which allowed me to create and carry out customized care plans. I successfully administered medications, monitored vital signs, monitored and gave insulin to diabetes patients, blood samples, and identified potential risks such as falls or pressure ulcers. During the last two weeks of my internship, I focused more on medication administration, benefits and side effects of every medication. Moreover, I ensured optimal health results by managing chronic diseases, accurately delivering medications, monitoring patient reactions, conducting RAI, and administering a Mini Mental Test.

Summarily, the gerontology internship has been a good internship for me. I am happy to have improved in so many areas during the internship. It was a privilege to put all my theoretical knowledge into practice during my internship.  A BIG thanks to my internship mentor and the place of internship, Norlandia for their support from the beginning till the end of my internship.