University Reflection: Professional Identity in Nursing (NUR1202)

This assignment presents a student's reflective analysis of a nursing case study, focusing on the development of professional identity. The student utilizes the "What, So What, Now What" model to critically examine a scenario involving a registered nurse's interaction with a patient and their partner. The reflection highlights ethical dilemmas, particularly concerning patient-centered care, cultural sensitivity, and assumptions made about relationships. The student contrasts their approach with that of the nurse, emphasizing the importance of clear communication, respect for patient autonomy, and awareness of ethical codes. The analysis delves into the impact of the nurse's actions on the patient's emotional well-being and treatment, linking the case to the student's personal and professional development. The 'Now What' section outlines the student's commitment to adopting a patient-centered approach, improving communication skills, and acknowledging ethical challenges within the nursing profession. The reflection underscores the significance of cultural competence and the ethical considerations that impact patient outcomes.

Running Head: PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY
PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY
What?
It is clear that the Alan has met with an accident where I was working at the time of
my clinical placement. Alan had a similar kind of accident many years ago and need the help
of a wheelchair for mobilization (Rainer, Schneider & Lorenz, 2018). He was infected with a
wound on the right leg and for that has been admitted to the hospital. He was accompanied to
the hospital with his partner Mark. There were certain assumptions made in the case by the
registered nurse. As Mark and Alan both were same sex partners, the nurse thought that the
Mark is Alan’s paid care giver. The registered nurse also discussed the entire situation with
Mark ignoring Alan completely (Aitamaa et al., 2016).
This action of the registered nurse might make Alan very ignored as the registered
nurse fails to give a patient-centered approach. The nurse also ignores the relationship
between Mark and Alan and this would also have impacted their emotions. The nurse should
always make sure that the patient is involved while the entire treatment process and should
also keep in mind about their emotional sentiments as these factors are the major
determinants of the positive patient outcomes (Krautscheid, 2017).
So what?
From the case study, it is very clear that the registered nurse does not reacted
effectively around the patient and was very impatient about the relationship between Mark
and Alan. The nurse made such comments and also ignored about the patient. This is
hampering the patient centered approach and is also against the professional code of conduct
for the registered nurses. The responses that has been made by the registered nurse are very
much different to those that are being made by me (Hopia, Lottes & Kanne, 2016). This is
due to the fact that without making assumptions like the nurse I would have asked Mark and
Alan bout their relationship. This would have neither hurt their feelings nor would it have

2PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY
affected them that much. I would have made a very patient centered approach by making the
entire situation clear to both Mark and Alan. This case study made me feel like that there are
certain ethical issues that are still very much prevalent in the nursing system. This is against
the ethical concept that has to be undertaken by all the nurses while treating the patients. The
ethical issues are of thus a big concern in the profession of nursing.
These kind of expressions in the patients have a very negative impact as they tend to
hamper the emotional and mental balance of the patient that can ultimately have a negative
impact on the patients (Krautscheid, 2017). These factors are thus a very potential
determinant for the positive patient outcome. This can hamper the patient as well as the
treatment plan that can have a negative impact on the patients. These experiences can have a
very negative consequence on the patient as the nurse was not using the patient centered
approach. The nurse discussed the entire condition with Mark ignoring Alan who was the
patient. This can affect the patient as he might feel ignored because the entire situation was
being discussed with him and he was also not aware of the treatment plan (Hopia, Lottes &
Kanne, 2016).
This case study can be very well linked to the professional and personal development
as being a nurse I got to know to the importance of patient centered approach and the way in
which all the patients should be handled. The case study taught me how to deal with different
patients who come from a diverse background keeping in mind their cultural competence.
From the personal point of view the case study taught me how to keep up with differences
that are present in the society in terms of religion, sexual preference, and culture (Aitamaa et
al., 2016).

3PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY
Now what?
As a result of this experience being a nurse I became very much aware of the ethical
dilemmas that are present in the profession of nursing (Rainer, Schneider & Lorenz, 2018).
These dilemmas are to be acknowledged by the nurses while dealing with the patient
otherwise that can be very critical for the treatment of the patients. Another step that I am
going to take as a result of the experience is to have a patient centered approach that will
make the treatment process to revolve around the patient and not around the illness
(McCarthy & Gastmans, 2015). These steps can be applied by making the treatment process
transparent to both the patients and the family members so that they can take their decision on
their own that will help the patient to have knowledge about their treatment plan. Another
step that can be applied in order to do the job is by conducting effective communication
between the patient and the nurses. Effective communication is a powerful tool that can help
in strengthen the bond between the patient and the nurse that will help the nurse to know the
various aspects of the patients’ life and will also help in better treatment plan (Preshaw et al.,
2016).

4PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY
References
Aitamaa, E., Leino-Kilpi, H., Iltanen, S., & Suhonen, R. (2016). Ethical problems in nursing
management: the views of nurse managers. Nursing ethics, 23(6), 646-658.
Hopia, H., Lottes, I., & Kanne, M. (2016). Ethical concerns and dilemmas of Finnish and
Dutch health professionals. Nursing ethics, 23(6), 659-673.
Krautscheid, L. C. (2017). Embedding microethical dilemmas in high-fidelity simulation
scenarios: Preparing nursing students for ethical practice. Journal of Nursing
Education, 56(1), 55-58.
McCarthy, J., & Gastmans, C. (2015). Moral distress: a review of the argument-based nursing
ethics literature. Nursing ethics, 22(1), 131-152.
Preshaw, D. H., Brazil, K., McLaughlin, D., & Frolic, A. (2016). Ethical issues experienced
by healthcare workers in nursing homes: literature review. Nursing ethics, 23(5), 490-
506.
Rainer, J., Schneider, J. K., & Lorenz, R. A. (2018). Ethical dilemmas in nursing: An
integrative review. Journal of clinical nursing, 27(19-20), 3446-3461.