Journal Entry for Unit One, Essay Example

Journal Introduction

My experience with the Riverbend City simulation supports my continued journey as a nursing student towards my ultimate goal to practice as a professional nurse. I continue to marvel at the ethical nature of nursing practice and how it impacts my academic and professional endeavors because I strive to make ethically appropriate decisions that will have an impact on practice settings. Standards set forth by the American Nurses Association reaffirm my commitment to ethical standards and practice methods in all activities in which I participate and decisions that I make (ANA, 2010).

Body

I have learned much from the Riverbend Simulation in that I have increased my level of self-confidence and my ability to make sound and reasonable judgments regarding the activities that I perform. In any emergency situation, a sense of calm and adequate preparation are essential, and I learned that by remaining focused on the immediate situation, I will be able to provide support and knowledge to the people that need it most (Broz et.al, 2009). These factors are critical in supporting my ability to treat patients effectively and in a timely manner. Furthermore, these activities support my maturity and experience as a practicing nurse.

The Riverbend Simulation also provided me with a greater sense of accomplishment, as I learned in greater depth how my decisions directly influence others in the surrounding environment (Guido, 2014). In addition, I was able to capitalize on the activities associated with this experience by exploring the different perspectives associated with an emergency situation and how it impacts people in different ways. I was somewhat surprised by the level of calm that existed throughout the experience, as it demonstrated to me that I should do my best to act in a similar manner in order to achieve the desired results in a real-life experience.

I recognize that my professional development as a nurse reflects my capacity to be effective in crisis situations and other types of emergencies. However, I must also consider nursing policies as a key component of this process and support the objectives sought within the experiences that are learned (Mason, Leavitt, & Chaffee, 2012). This process will enable me to balance the needs of the crisis with the routine policies and procedures of nursing practice, while also making decisions that are ethically responsible and supportive of the circumstances (American Nurses Association, 2010). I believe that my actions as a nurse must reflect the core values and beliefs of nursing practice; therefore, they must demonstrate my ability to be an effective communicator and supporter of the actions that are required to ensure that patients receive high quality care and treatment at all times, regardless of the circumstances. I must continue to adapt the Riverbend Simulation experience as part of my core knowledge when emergency situations occur, as these experiences are essential to the discovery of new frameworks for success and ongoing achievement in nursing practice.

Conclusion

As a nursing student, I have much to learn in the coming years regarding the nature of nursing practice and its impact on patient care. I also must be able to demonstrate my ability to be effective, calm, and rational in a wide variety of situations that will have a positive impact on my patients. These factors will support my personal and professional growth and guide me in making ethically responsible decisions on behalf of my patients at all times. This is an ongoing learning process that requires significant attention in order to achieve the desired results. I must continue to reflect on my own strengths as a nursing student and recognize my potential contributions to nursing practice in the future in order to fulfill my personal goals and objectives in this field.

References

American Nurses Association (2010). The nurse’s role in ethics and human rights: Protecting and promoting individual worth, dignity, and human rights in practice settings. Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/Policy-Advocacy/Positions-and-Resolutions/ANAPositionStatements/Position-Statements-Alphabetically/Nursess-Role-in-Ethics-and-Human-Rights.pdf

Broz, D., Levin, E. C., Mucha, A. P., Pelzel, D., Wong, W., Persky, V. W., & Hershow, R. C. (2009). Lessons learned from Chicago’s emergency response to mass evacuations caused by Hurricane Katrina. American journal of public health, 99(8), 1496.

Guido, G.W. (2014). Legal and ethical issues in nursing, 6^th Edition. Prentice Hall.

Mason, D.J., Leavitt, J.K., and Chaffee, M.W. (2012). Policy & Politics in Nursing & Health Care, 6^th Edition. Saunders.