Reflective Nursing Assignment on Negligence in Pediatric Unit

This nursing assignment reflects on a case of negligence in a pediatric unit resulting in the death of a child due to missed medication. The Gibbs reflection cycle is used to analyze the incident and suggest an action plan to prevent such incidents in the future.

1
NURSING ASSIGNMENT
Name:
Institution:
Tutor:
Date:

2
Nursing Assignment
INTRODUCTION
In this assignment, I will reflect on a case that happened during my clinical placement
where there was negligence by a nurse in the pediatric unit where a certain kid died as a result of
missed medication solely due to the negligence of the nurse who was on shift. There are usually
two known modes of reflection which are the Kolb’s and the Gibbs reflection cycles (Cooper &
Wieckowski, 2017, p. 256). In this case I will utilize the Gibbs reflection cycle. The Gibbs
reflective cycle has six phases that include Description, feeling, evaluation, analysis, conclusion
and the action plan (Baker & Clark, 2010, p. 261).
DESCRIPTION
I had just reported on duty after a lunch break and I was informed of a child who had
succumbed to death few hours ago. The reason for the death was that he had missed her drug
dosage. I heard some of my colleagues argue that the introduction of computers in the ward is the
likely reason for negligence since the nurse who was supposed to administer the drug was busy
watching some music by the time the drug was supposed to be dispensed.
FEELING
On reflection of the whole incident, I felt very ashamed because that being a very big
hospital, the nurse should always ensure that children adhere to their medications as prescribed. I
felt very empathetic for the family members especially the mother of the baby because actually
they trust the nurses so much and they know that their children are very safe in their custody.
However, it was contrary in this case.

3
EVALUATION
After the whole incident, I realized that adhering to medication is a very crucial issue in
the nursing profession. Could the nurse have adhered to the prescribed medication of the child,
his life could have been spared and there would have not been legal suits. It is a very big shame
to a nurse to prioritize watching a movie or a video on a computer at the expense of providing
medication to a child.
ANALYSIS
I did wonder why such a case can happen in such a hospital. However, after thorough
investigation and going through my class work keenly, I realized that the following could have
been the likely reasons as to why it happened that way: Being addicted to computers. I therefore
feel that such devices should not be placed directly at the wards or they should be out of bounds
to the nurses until their shift is over.
CONCLUSION
My reflection on this case explores how it is very important as a nurse to avoid
negligence at any given time when on duty. Negligence is a serious offence that can lead to
prosecution in the court of law. Nurses should therefore avoid that vice as possible and
concentrate on their work.
ACTION PLAN
In order to prevent such incidences from occurring at any given time, the hospital
management ought to come up with some strategies that might include; Ban the use of phones
and computers in the wards. I learnt a very important lesson and from that day, I always leave

4
my phone at the reception and only use it when on my way home. Besides, I never access
computers that are located at the wards. All nurses should also follow suit with my resolutions.

5
References
Baker, T., & Clark, J. (2010). Cooperative learning – a double‐edged sword: a cooperative
learning model for use with diverse student groups. Intercultural Education, 21(3),
257-268. doi:10.1080/14675981003760440
Cooper, L. D., & Wieckowski, A. T. (2017). A structured approach to reflective practice
training in a clinical practicum. Training and Education in Professional Psychology,
11(4), 252-259. doi:10.1037/tep0000170