Reflection on Personal & Professional Development in Nursing Practice

This report provides a comprehensive reflection on a nursing student's personal and professional development, focusing on a case study involving a patient with a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). The student nurse discusses the importance of effective communication, patient-centered care, and adherence to NMC guidelines. The report details the challenges faced, such as dealing with the patient's emotional state and managing inter-professional collaborations. It highlights the significance of different learning styles, particularly the collaborative learning model, and its impact on enhancing communication and problem-solving skills. The report also emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, reflective learning, and the effectiveness of various forms of communication in building strong nurse-patient relationships. Through this reflection, the student aims to demonstrate how experiences and learning contribute to their growth and competence as a nurse.

Running Head: Reflection
REFLECTIONS ON YOUR PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Authors Note

1REFLECTIONS ON YOUR PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Introduction
Nursing profession requires learning and effective implementation of the skills every
day. Different communication styles are important as the nurses need to talk and collaborate
with the other professionals to treat the patients. The practical needs assessment and accurate
professional conduct will help the nurses to improve quality of care. Patients’ safety and
security. Betterment of health and wellbeing of the patients are the priorities of a nurse.
Anonymity and confidentiality are the measure aspects of nursing practices. According to the
NMC guidelines, nurses must protect the anonymity and confidentiality to protect their
dignity with autonomy in the treatment. The NMC standards for nurse, codes and guidance
for the professional conducts are taken under consideration. This essay will reflect my
experience in the earlier days of my career and how the learning and communicating styles
are significant in the process of treatment. I will explain that the different leaning models and
approach in the field of nursing during implementing the practice guidelines. There are
different nursing principles which influence the career of a nurse in different ways. These
principles not only help to improve a nurse but make a nurse competent in various sectors of
personal lives. Due to our profession we come across many patients and their families and
each and every cases teach us different lessons. The cases improve us as a better human
being. As Florence Nightangale said, “Let us never consider ourselves finished nurses…we
must be learning all of our lives”; we should develop our skills every time by observing or by
taking some proactive steps for learning new things to improve the practice. This essay will
reflect how a case study would contribute to my nursing career and how it inspire me to look
into my inner self to make myself professionally more confident.
Discussion
Case study

2REFLECTIONS ON YOUR PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
6 months ago when I just completed my graduation from the nursing college, I got a
placement in the emergency ward as the nursing assistant. A patient was admitted to the
emergency department after having Transient Ischemic Attack. The person was admitted to
the hospital by some workers of the local supermarket. They told us that they did not know
him and he was found in unconscious state in the backyard of the market. One of them found
him and immediately called the ambulance. The paramedics did FAST assessment and they
informed that it was a case of stroke. The patient transferred to the ICU after 24 hours, he was
transferred to the ED. I was assigned to take care of the patient and executed my duties
properly during my night shift. Next day when I came to the hospital I found that his son did
not want me to take care of his father. However, my supervisor called me and I had a talk
with the person. I was so nervous to talk to that person and my supervisor helped me to
handle the situation. Nigel (a pseudonym is used to maintain the NMC guidelines’
anonymity and confidentiality), the patient was very disturbed by all the incidences and when
I went to ED to check him, that 70 year old person seemed very confused. I assured him that
he would be fine after the treatment. I came to know that Nigel lived alone in the town and
his wife died in a car accident 3 months ago. Therefore he was living alone for 3 months and
he did not want to live with his son for some personal reasons. After assessing him, we came
to know that he has diabetes, hypertension, mild COPD and irregular bowel movement or
constipation. He also has arthritis for which he used to take therapy and medication but after
his wife’s demise he had not availed those. After the TIA, he has hemiparesis in the right side
of the body.
Principles of professionalism
Professionalism is the act to provide better quality patient care with maintaining the
respect and dignity of thee patient. Nurses should communicate clearly and do self-reflection

3REFLECTIONS ON YOUR PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
on their behaviors and the actions. According to a report, professionalism depends on
cognition, attitudes and psychomotor movements of the nurses. According to the NMC
standards, nursing professionalism depends on some aspects such as prioritizing the care,
patient centered approach, maintaining respect and dignity, cumulative effort, high quality of
care provision, honesty and integrity and upholding the reputation. The skills incorporates in
the practice are conflict resolution, ethical consideration, adaptability, leadership ability to
overcome the critical situation and collaboration with patient and other professionals.
According to the nursing principle of RCN, nurses should treat everyone with equal dignity
and respect. They should understand individual needs and must be compassionate and
sensitive. As Nigel was very confused and worried about his health, I chose to counsel him
and to make a good bond with him. I involved him in the effective communication where I
used to listen to him more and let him decide the next step of his treatment. I obviously
assisted him with suggesting the pros and cons of his preferences. NMC standard always
focuses on prioritizing the patient which is directly indicates patient’s empowerment and
autonomy (www.nmc.org.uk, 2020). As per the anti-oppressive practice theory, nurses should
be empathetic to the patient. Interventions should support needs of the patient and maintain
the standard practices (RCN principle A, C, E) (www.rcn.org.uk, 2020). HCPC standards are
also support the ethics and values in the treatments of the patients (standard 2”communicate
appropriately”, standard 5”Respect confidentiality”, standard 8 ” be open when things go
wrong ”, standard 9 ”be honest and trustworthy”) (Standards of conduct of HCPC, p., 2020). I
tried to maintain the aspects of individual professionalism and inter-professional
collaboration during the treatment of Nigel. Often I used to get confuse to follow the
framework of “Enabling Professionalism in Nursing and Midwifery Practice”
( www.nmc.org.uk, 2020). However I took help of my supervisor. Diabetologists, nutritionist,
neurologists, and physiotherapists were included in the treatment of Nigel. Additionally Nigel

4REFLECTIONS ON YOUR PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
had some doubts about the financial benefits and Medicaid, therefore I used to take help of
nurse manager to execute my fiscal responsibility towards him. He was emotionally
depressed, therefore I used to consult with the psychotherapist and counsel him. I faced some
problem in managing his schedule so I frequently asked questions to my seniors. Within
some days, I formed a good bond with him which help me in the therapeutic treatment
procedure and managing multiple sections of his treatment. I had to ensure his safety in care
provision and must be awared of pressure ulcers as he had ambulatory difficulties. However,
after 3 days of admission redness was found near his right ankle. My supervisor told me to
give justification and I was answerable to the In-charge of ED.I was about to replaced there
was shortage of nurse in elderly patient care therefore they did not replace me. Here positive
relationship with Nigel helped me not to lose my first nursing case. As he gave a statement in
favor of mine and asked them to keep me as allocated nurse.
Preferred learning Style
As a student nurse I used to attend many seminars and the practical nursing
workshops of new nursing theories. I also assisted many seniors in their researches. I used to
serve people on behalf of an NGO when I was a student, there I learnt the true meaning of
teamwork. Later I joined the Nursing College’s social work team. The team used to organize
various workshops and took us to the remote areas in the time of natural phenomena. Our
professors and the nursing leaders also encouraged us. Those experiences were part of my
student life. Therefore the approach of the seniors were less professional but during practice
we cannot expect those approaches. Moreover, we are expected to do our best and respond
promptly. Nigel’s case was a challenge for me as he was both emotionally and physically
affected after the stroke. Positive learning environment might not always present at the crisis
situation (Green and Hopwood, 2016). Therefore every crisis situation must be treated as the

5REFLECTIONS ON YOUR PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
learning opportunity by a nurse. As the critical situation will help the nurse to make better
decisions and enhance their practical view point towards the treatment. One of the most
effective learning practice approach is collaborative learning practice model. I was enrolled
to the practice approach and got placement. I was in the child ward first and then shifted to
the ED. We had our one to one mentor sessions. In the program, we were supervised by the
assessors (RNs) who used to review our works and assessed the responsible final assessment
and gave feedback to us. The coaching team used to ensure the quality and positive learning
atmosphere (Harvey and Uren, 2019). Our coaches (registered professionals in the fields of
different expertise) provided coaching and monitored us during our working shifts. The
practice educators used to help the coaches and mentors in the practice and help us by
providing the guidelines (Zhang and Cui, 2018.). Our university collaborated with the
hospitals for our better coaching and placement focusing on the better quality healthcare
provision and maintain nursing regulations and standards. Universities arrange the training
and support for the coaches and the mentors. According to a systematic review collaborative
learning can increase the ability of the nurses can be increased by collaborative learning
procedures (Männistö et al., 2019). The clinical practice and competency will help them in
enhancing the group skills and learning behaviors. 5 RCT studies have shown that the nurses
who are exposed to Collaborative learning practice in the digital learning environment, are
more competent to the effective communication and interpersonal interactions (Männistö et
al., 2019). Their problem solving skills and approaches to implement the knowledge are
better. The patient satisfaction is also improved after the implementation of collaborative
learning procedures. Nigel’s treatment had multidisciplinary approach and I could never be
able to manage all the interactions and collaborations without the help of collaborative
learning model. I would like to pursue my higher study under the same learning model.
Effectiveness of various forms of communication

6REFLECTIONS ON YOUR PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Effective communication is one of most important aspect for the nurse and patient
relationship. Due to poor communication many undesirable circumstances are occurred in the
medical regime (Kim, and Han, 2016). Effective communication will enhance patient’s
satisfaction, reduce number of complaints and increase confidence level and job satisfaction
of nurses (Bello, 2017). Due to poor communication, medication error, patients’ health
deterioration and lack of satisfaction have been observed. Patient’s belief from previous
experiences and inability of nurse to make the patient understand her message are the two
main factors behind poor communication. Therefore I preferred to be patient during
conversation with Nigel. He was afraid and his son was agitated by the previous experience
of hospitalization. Understanding patient’s need and helping the patient to cope with anxiety
are two major aims of effective communication (Sibiya, 2018). During the conversation with,
Nigel’s son I was much tensed and could not be able to manage the situation. The supervisors
came and helped me to manage the situation. During the interpersonal therapy sessions,
psychotherapist used to call his son and his family (Al-Johani et al., 2019). In that time, I
learned that the reflective analysis during the conversation can help a nurse to maintain
effective communication. Multidisciplinary team or the nurse groups involve different
people, therefore to maintain the clinical integrity we have to maintain effective
communication (Hall and Tori, 2017.). Self-awareness and reflective learning. Effective
communication needs to be time consuming and full of positivity after that only one can
understand the value of himself in the conversation. Communication must maintain the
privacy and confidentiality. According to HCPC standard, nurse should be trustworthy
during the conversation. Noise and distraction should be avoided in the effective
communication. If the patient and the fellow nurse is not feeling well, communication
should be avoided and the comfort should be prioritized. Jargons and information loaded
communication should not be taken place. During the self-care training , Nigel complained

7REFLECTIONS ON YOUR PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
that the support worker humiliated him as he could not do his own work without help. The
support worker was replaced (Kaddoura et al., 2016). In the group assessment of nursing
schools same thing happened with my fellow student nurse he felt that accused nurse
humiliated her on the basis of diverse culture. During communication, I emphasized on
listening, observation and to keep my facial expression neutral.
According to the NMC guidelines, patient’s anonymity and confidentiality re two
most important ethical aspects of the healthcare provision in UK. Confidentiality must be
maintained during noting down the vital signs and taking out the blood samples
(www.gov.uk, 2020). According to the NMC guidelines nurses should maintain the
professional boundaries during use of the social media. I used all the resources and effective
technique in the clinical setting. Cultural beliefs and values should not be hurt by the nurses.
Patient in end of life care and with physical and mental disability are especially emphasized
by the health professionals (Petrova, Dewing and Camilleri, 2016). Though Nigel was not
mentally disabled but he was emotionally distressed and confused. He required an assistant to
perform his daily activities. Therefore, NMC guidelines must be maintained by us during his
treatment. Code of Practice for Health and Social Care supports four main requirements such
as Protect, Inform, Provide choice and Improve. The care facilities should maintain the
privacy during recording the data and information related the patient (Leyva-Moral and
Feijoo-Cid, 2017). We faced some difficulties in maintaining Nigel’s confidentiality as he
complained against the support worker. The person told me that he could not understand
Nigel’s accent, therefore he failed to maintain effective communication. Nigel did not want
that his privacy would be affected by the clinical interferences. Therefore we trained him
with special activities of daily living related to going to toilet, maintaining personal hygiene,
dressing and undressing, eating and drinking and moving out. The ADLs will help him to
execute all daily life activities and improve quality of care. Daily occupational therapy was

8REFLECTIONS ON YOUR PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
given to him and I used to help the therapist. Therefore maintaining confidentiality and the
anonymity will increase the satisfaction and dependence of patient on the health professionals
and the organization.
Conclusion
The experience will be one of the most significant case of my nursing career as it
helps me to find out my flaws and drawbacks during the care provision. I decided to pursue
higher education in future and upgrading my skills by online courses. I decided to take up
courses on maintaining health and safety of the patients. I also decided to avail a course on
effective communication. I could have managed the pressure ulcer of Nigel in a better way
with prompt actions. My supervisor told me to enhance my communication and public
relation skills. She told me the only way to enhance communication and public relation skills
are to become more confident. Therefore to enhance my ability and to show the commitment
towards my profession I set long and short term goals.

9REFLECTIONS ON YOUR PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Topic S =specific M=measurab
le
A=achievabl
e
R=relevant T= Time
bound
Communicati
on skill
I want to take
up a
communicatio
n skill
development
courses from
CPD
(Continuing
Professional
Development.
)
( cpduk.co.uk,
2020).
The courses
are online
therefore I
can attend the
classes in my
free time
After every
module, there
is an
evaluation
process. If I
want, I can
join the
complemente
d
workshops.
The course
has facility of
practical
evaluation
methods after
completion
of the
course.
I hope the
course will
help me to
build up my
confidence . I
will join the
practical
evaluation
process also.
therefore I
felt that the
course will
help me to
increase my
ability to
manage
critical
clients.
In my
reflective
essay I have
shared the
situation
where I
could not
manage a
family
member of
the patient
effectively.
The course
will help me
to develop my
confidence
and continue
effective
communicatio
n during
patient care.
The mock
interviews
I will
enroll in
the short
term
course
so that I
can avail
more
courses
in less
time
period.
The
course I
chose, is
a 4
months
course.

10REFLECTIONS ON YOUR PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
and
simulations
will give me
the outlook of
better
situation
management.
Health and
safety
I will avail a
part time
course in
health and
safety of
patient care .
The course
will be
conducted by
a nursing
college
(cpduk.co.uk,
2020).
After every
for months
an exam will
be conducted
. and in
every six
month a
semester
will be
conducted.
The nursing
coaches and
the mentors
will evaluate
us.
This will
help me to
detect the
risk factors
related to the
admitted
patient. The
course also
help me to
increase my
ability of risk
management
in critical
patient. The
course will
help me to
maintain the
patient’s
Pressure
ulcers and
bed sores are
very common
in the patients
of critical
care unit or
in the
emergency
department.
These are
common in
elderly
patient . In
critical unit
patients
specially in
elderly
The
course
will take
1 year to
complete
. This
will give
me a
certificat
e of
diploma
.

11REFLECTIONS ON YOUR PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
hygiene and
skin
condition.
patients , the
chances of
fall is higher
than the
other patients.
Therefore this
course will
help me to
achieve
alertness,
better critical
thinking
ability and
logical
reasoning.
Administrativ
e skills
The level 3
organizational
intervention
course will be
availed. This
is based on
projects
mainly
(cpduk.co.uk,
2020). The
After every
three months
I have to
send a
project
based on a
specific
module. The
semester will
be an online
My ability to
do the
paperwork
and accuracy
of
documentatio
n will be
increased. I
could help
the patients
Critical and
logical
thinking will
be increased.
The
managerial or
administrative
efficiency
will be
It is a 6
moths
course.