Self Reflection in Nursing Sector Assignment

Running head: SELF-REFLECTION
Reflection
Name
ID
Course
Unit
Lecturer
Date

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Introduction
Wholihan, & Tilley, (2016) argued that reflection is an important concept in nursing sector. The
impact of reflection is that it assist nurses to identify their weaknesses, strengths and focus on
methods to improve in future. In this assignment, I am going to elaborate on my experience
working in collegial relationship with medical officer as a new graduate nurse using the Gibbs
model. The question this essay is going to address is the areas I need to improve in relation to
opening conversation with medical officer when clinical observations are outside normal
parameters. The assignment will entail personal and self-reflection, evaluation, analysis,
strategies for practice and conclusion.
Personal and professional self-reflection
As a newly graduated nurse preparing to join the registered nurses team, Ardian et al, (2019)
argue that there are multiple areas that I need to improve on. After working with a medical
officer for some time, one of the areas that I need to improve on is communication. Nurses
communicate among themselves, with patients and the family to the patients. However, what
matters is how the information is passed from one person to another. The medical officer agree
that many nurses do not take communication seriously especially when there is nobody
observing them according to Austin et al, (2020). For example, some nurses may fail to
document some diagnosis they have performed on a patient. Such action makes it difficult for
another nurse working on the same patient to execute his or her duties. Personally, I feel that I
should not transit to the registered nurses with such behavior. The reason is that, poor
communication among nurses and patients have made both parties feel that they are not satisfied
with whatever they are doing. Besides that, some nurses end up doing a mistake during diagnosis
or the treatment process. Personally, I feel that the standard of communication should be

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maintained whether a nurse is under observation or not. As a newly graduate, I have experienced
communication challenges during my practice, however, I feel the need to improve while
transiting to a registered nurses. Consequently, some of the medical officers I have worked with
also experience the same problem and my conversation with the medical officer confirms the
same challenge.
The second issue I feel I need to improve on is the provision of comprehensive care to the
patients that seek medical services. All patients believe in nurses to provide them with solution to
their health challenges according to Sarvestani et al, (2017). However, from the experience I
have with the medical officers, I feel that some of the patient needs are usually not met. The
issue need improvement. Personally, I feel that patients need guidance from the time they have
been diagnosed up to the time they are healing. There are several cases where clinical
observations may be outside the normal parameters, however, as a nurse I feel I need to adjust to
ensure that the patient get correct services. Adjustment promises quality services and safety of
the patient. Apart from ensuring comprehensive care, as a transiting nurse it is important to
maintain commitment in whatever I will be doing. Many nurses have lost jobs and other demoted
due to lack of commitment to the profession. For example, what I experienced with other
medical officers is that, there are cases where nurses are required to work outside their scheduled
time. Many of them will complain and even provide poor services. However, I feel that one
should always ensure proper diagnosis and treatment. Personal issues should not influence the
professional duties. One should consider the duty as a call and deliver to the expectation. The
parameters of the clinical observation may range but the commitment should remain at the same
level. Some cases might be severe and patient suffering a lot.
Evaluation

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Gonzalez et al, (2019) argued that Gibbs model offers six stages in evaluating oneself in the
nursing sector. These stages include description which involve illustrating what happened
according to Smith & Bryant, (2019). For example, in my case what happened is that I had an
experience working in collegial relationships with medical officers as a new graduate. However,
during the working period I was able to identify some issues that I need to improve when am
transiting to a registered nurse level. As described in the previous part, some of these issue
include communication, provision of comprehensive care to the patient and adjusting to the
situation that arise during my working schedule. The second part in the Gibbs model include
description of personal thoughts and feelings according to Kapu et al, (2019). From what I
experienced I feel that I should adopt consistent and quality communication methods when I join
the registered nurses team. For example, there should be proper documentation of the facts from
assessment that can enable other nurses to easily follow the treatment records of the patient.
Secondly, the language should be professional to both patients and nurses themselves. When I
adopt the new communication style I personally feel that I will satisfy my colleagues and the
patients am serving. According to Raterink, (2016), the next step in the Gibbs model is the
evaluation of the feeling that I have elaborated above. Personally, I feel that when I improve on
the gaps I have identified it will bring a sense of job satisfaction even when the clinical
observation are outside the normal parameters. Reljić et al, (2019) said that quality
communication directly impact the services that a nurses provide in the facility. The next phase
is conclusion. Conclusion is concerned with the focus that I want to improve. My main focus of
improvement is the services I provide to the patients when I join the registered nurses team.
Apart from that, I am also focusing on how to build my relationship not only with my colleagues
but also the patients I will be serving. The last part is concerned with the action I will take when

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the experience repeat itself. My focus is to look for solution. For example, if there is a nurse that
is providing poor services, I will be ready to talk to him or her and find ways on how the
situation can be changed. According to Savage et al, (2018) the action will ensure positivity at all
times in the institution.
Analysis
There are specific codes and ethical standards that regulate the work of the registered nurses. As
a newly graduated nurse it is important for me to continuously check my services if they comply
with the standards according to Bass et al, (2019). However, as a new graduate I may not be at a
position to understand some of the standards. Therefore, continuous evaluation is important in
identifying the areas that I need to improve. Gibbs model outlines the best procedure in
evaluating oneself. Based on my evaluation and reflection I have come to understand that
mistake are hard to escape in every profession. However, Dressler et al, (2018) stated that what
is important is the ability to evaluate oneself and find the missing link in my actions. The
conversation with medical officer proves to me that nurses are also humans and they are bound
to mistake in or two activities. For example in diagnosis and final treatment of the patient. I have
been able to identify that communication is one of the main causes of these mistake. Some
nurses have poor communication skills. For instance one may be rude when talking to a client
and that is wrong according to Porter et al, (2018). When such mistake happen, the nurse should
be able to identify the problem, find the reason why it is happening and outline on the best move
forward. Joining registered nurses also need commitment of the individual. Commitments in
times of tight schedules and when serving patients. The mindset that nurses should have is the
solution oriented mind. From the Gibbs model illustrated above, it has taught me that whenever
something happens and I have found a solution, should be able to come up with ways on how to

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encounter the issue when it comes in the future. It is what is called action. It brings a sense of
reflection that promises positivity in every new action that I will be tackling in the field.
Strategies for practice
One of the strategies I have adopted when transiting to a registered nurse is positive
communication skills. Patterson et al, (2016) stated that communication involves both verbal and
non-verbal methods. However, how I pass information to the patients and nurses will determine
my success. As a way of preparing for the transition, I have identified communication and
listening skills that will ensure that my services are timely and goal oriented. The second strategy
is commitment. From the discussion and experience from other medical officer, I was able to
recognize that nursing is always challenging to some extent. However, according to Wholihan &
Tilley, (2016) being committed is action that will enable get solution to multiple problems in the
field. The ability to be flexible and be ready to learn is a positive strategy that will ensure I
succeed as a registered nurse. Apart from that, another strategy I will adopt is continuous
evaluation of my actions using the outlined registered nurses. As a new graduate, I will be
meeting other medical officers who are highly experienced in the field than me. However, I will
ensure that I make use of them to acquire more skills that will enable me improve in the field.
Conclusion
In conclusion, self-reflection is important in nursing. From the above essay, I have been able to
apply the Gibbs model to identify things that I can improve when I join the registered nurses
team. Gibbs offers six main steps in reflecting and improving one-self. The essay have illustrated
things such as commitment and communication as important issues for a newly graduate
transiting to registered nurses.

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References
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reflection discussion based on the Graham Gibbs Cycle and nurses’ critical thinking
skills. Enfermeria clinica, 29, 588-593.
Austin, D., Gilkison, A., & Clemons, J. (2020). Turning reflection into learning: a practice
development tool for midwifery students. Reflective Practice, 1-15.
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expectations of using a model of holistic reflection. Women and Birth.
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