Reflective Essay on Nursing Clinical Placement

Running head: NURSING ASSIGNMENT
Nursing assignment
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

1NURSING ASSIGNMENT
The essay is the reflection based on the learning opportunity that I have completed during
my 120-hour clinical placement. The model used for the reflective essay is Gibb’s cycle. The
rationale for this model is to think systematically about the phases of experience. The stages of
Gibb's cycle are description of what happened, feelings, evaluation of phases of experience,
analysis, conclusion, and lastly action plan (Husebø et al., 2015). My aim of reflection is to
identify what worked well during the placement and areas of deficits and improvements. Based
on it remedial actions are discussed to eliminate the deficits recognized.
Starting from the first stage of Gibb’s cycle, I can say that the clinical placement (specify
the ward and facility), was productive and I have learned to work as a team. It was good
opportunity to develop my communication and team working skills. The quality of service in
health and social care is determined by strong communication skills with patients and inter-
professional team (Yoo & Park, 2015). The clinical placement gave me the opportunity to apply
my handover skills at the time of discharge and perform ethically. I have gained confidence in
approaching the patients and learned to conduct the assessments such as vital signs, BGL and
others using new technology. I have dealt with both elderly and middle-aged patients. I was
particular about my scope of practice and did not work beyond it. My activities during the
placement in the ward include making the bed, learning to use slide sheet, bath patients, and
dressing. In nursing practice, patient safety holds prime importance, and every nurse must fulfill
this responsibility as per NMBA guidelines (NMBA, 2018). I have learned to maintain
confidentiality and document electronically. The various skills that I could utilize while
completing the learning activities are pressure injury and fall risk assessment, use of ISBAR for
documenting and handover and implement five moments of hand hygiene. I was competent in
manual handling of patients and performing aseptic techniques such as removal of sutures and

2NURSING ASSIGNMENT
staples. I have successfully executed my skills to conduct the BGL or blood glucose level test
and vital signs assessment.
I have both positive and negative feelings associated with the clinical placement that I
have completed. The positive feelings are due to enhanced knowledge of different nursing skills
gained by me. I was satisfied with my placement; it was exciting and inspiring. I have gained the
confidence to work because the staff was very supportive and helpful. I was quick in building
rapport with patients irrespective of their age and gender. I was acknowledged for my teamwork
and communication skills during team meetings and ward rounds with nurses and doctors. In
addition, I had also received positive feedback from my clinical facilitator on being contributing
towards team. I have a positive feeling with these three weeks of clinical placement as it was a
journey of growth for me. The negative feelings that are attached to this experience are my areas
of deficits. It includes anxiety due to the new placement, and fear to deal with the aggressive
patients. I was also uncomfortable in bathing the male patients. I have also committed an error by
giving insulin to the diabetic patient. He was 62 years old, and the outcome could have been
disastrous. It was beyond my scope of practice for which I also had to write the critical incident
report. I have apologized to my facilitator, patients as well as my teacher. I was told to write a
reflection on this incident.
On evaluating the phases of experience, I have found myself dealing effectively with my
drawbacks. To overcome my anxiety, I had dedicated myself to the routine of the environment
and had spent more time with patients and staff. In order to do justice to my role, I had invested
time in critical thinking on ways to improve my clinical skills and develop them to work with
more confidence. I have practiced being calm and composed. While engaging in conversation
with staff and patients, I have avoided arguments. These skills helped me deal with the people