Nursing Reflection Assignment

Running head: NURSING ASSIGNMENT
NURSING REFLECTION ASSIGNMENT
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

NURSING ASSIGNMENT1
Introduction
The primary aim of this reflective paper is to describe the experience I achieved
through the latest clinical practicum in which I was able to learn the communication
strategies and skills that a nursing professional requires while working with mentally ill
patients. In this assessment I have mentioned about my learnings that I realised while
working with a mentally ill patients. Hence, this reflection process would also describe the
nurse and patient relationship which is required for effective nursing intervention and code of
conduct. Further, I would also mention about the communication skills that I used for
developing therapeutic relation with the patient in my clinical placement.
Gibbs reflection cycle
Reflection is an effective strategy that helps the nursing professionals to retrospect on
their previous practice and skills so that with proper identification of their lacks and
limitations, they could develop or improve their practice skills for better outcome of
healthcare interventions (Caldwell 2013). Further application of reflection among student
nursing professionals help them to understand the importance of finding out their mistakes so
that they could improve their understanding about care process (Husebø, O'Regan and Nestel
2015). Hence, I would be using the Gibb’s reflection cycle for retrospection on my clinical
placement while working with a mentally ill patient X (pseudo name). Gibbs reflection and
its 6 steps helps to understand each aspect of the clinical experience effectively and hence,
this would be used for this reflective assessment.
Description
While undergoing my first clinical practicum in the healthcare facility, I was informed
that the first patient I would be dealing with is X (59) who is suffering from dementia and my
duty would be administering oral and intravenous medication for his stress and hypertension

NURSING ASSIGNMENT2
respectively. In my classroom session, I learned about the communication and report
development with the patients with mental illness as Cleary et al. (2012) mentioned that these
are the most crucial skills that should be acquired by the healthcare professionals while
working with mentally ill patients. After entering the ward I greeted Mr. X and asked his
health condition. I noticed that the patient is anxious and fidgeting on his bed. It was a natural
reaction of the patient as Townsend and Morgan (2017) mentioned in their paper that
mentally ill patients are often conscious and nervous about their healthcare intervention and
in such situation they require effective support. I introduced myself to the patient and
mentioned my purpose of visit him so that he could be assured that his healthcare
interventions would be informed to him. I was supervised by a registered nursing professional
who helped me to conduct the process effectively. While developing effective
communication I maintained a calm and comforting manner so that his nervousness and
anxiety could be controlled. I calculated the doses of IV and oral medication thrice and
communicated to my supervisor so that any medication error could be avoided. Finally I was
able to control the anxiety and nervousness of the patient and administer medication for his
dementia, hypertension and anxiety related condition/
Feeling
Upon completing the process and developing a good and positive rapport with the
patent in my clinical practicum, I felt confident and worthy of conducting my nursing roles
efficiently. This complete incident of maintaining efficient care for patient with mental
illness, developing communication strategy and controlling my nervousness and anxiety to
calm the patient condition with empathy, increased my self-esteem and confidence and
increased my efficiency for similar conditions in my clinical placement or in nursing career.
Further, my ability to handle the patients insecurities anxiety and other critical emotional with
compassion and care helped me with abilities so that I could conduct the process without any