Nursing Reflective Summary: Patient Care in Neurology Department

This report presents a reflective summary of a nursing student's experience in the neurology department. The student, an occupational therapist, recounts a challenging incident involving a patient with mobility issues following a car accident. The student describes the anxiety and nervousness experienced while assisting the patient, which led to a mistake during a therapeutic procedure using a ZeroG system. This resulted in the patient experiencing discomfort. The report highlights the importance of clinical supervision, experience, and critical thinking in patient care. The student acknowledges personal weaknesses and strengths, emphasizing the value of learning from mistakes and the need for effective communication with senior healthcare professionals. The experience underscores the significance of meticulousness and thoroughness in ensuring patient safety and well-being within a clinical setting.

Running head: REFLECTIVE SUMMARY
Reflective Summary
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author’s name

1Nursing
The neurology department in Helen Hayes Hospital is where I was assigned as an
occupational therapist. I was a graduate nurse back then and required clinical assistance in
carrying out the assigned tasks. However, during my education, I have been taught about the risk
factors that are associated with a patient and the strategies that could be implemented to better
the medical condition of the patient. I was assigned under a male patient who was involved in a
car accident and gravely injured below the hip area. He was unable to walk and required external
support while walking after the surgery had been conducted. In addition, the patient was seated
in a wheel in the initial phase such that much needed rest is provided to the muscles. It was my
responsibility as an occupational therapist to ensure the physical stability of the patient and
improve the muscular strength of the patient. Hence, I planned, as an occupational therapist, to
devise light exercises such that his muscular strength is regained.
However, because of my inexperience and being a graduate therapist, I was really
anxious and nervous while devising the action plan. I was extremely nervous because of which I
kept on thinking if I would commit a mistake and cause harm to the patient. I tried to let the
patient walk with the support of a ZeroG by SaeboReach. It lets the individual get fastened by a
belt to the tension road attached to the ceiling and lets the patient walk as appropriate. I fastened
the belt with the ceiling rod and attached it with the body of the patient to start with the
procedure. However, because of nervousness, I attached it loosely with the body of the patient
and because of the inability of the patient to hold the grip, control the posture and the fine motor
coordination, the patient fell to the ground and screamed in pain. It was my absolute horror
because the patient was in pain and felt extreme discomfort during the massaging procedure. It
was my inability to fasten the belt securely with the tension rod and the patient which created
distress in the condition of the patient.

2Nursing
After critical evaluation of the mistake that is committed by me, I understood that if I
would have worked under the supervision of a senior occupational therapist in the hospital and
had more confidence in dealing with a critical patient, it would have been generating a positive
health outcome for the patient. The only good thing about the exposure was that I got to
understand my practical skills and acknowledged my strength and weakness during the
procedure. After the patient complained of discomfort, I immediately informed the physician on
charge of the patient. This was necessary as they would be administering the medication to the
patient in an event of emergency. Despite me being anxious and nervous, it was a good thing that
I thought critically and informed the senior medical healthcare professional. Thus, it can be
concluded that this real and practical experience in the neurological department of the hospital
ensured me in acknowledging the strength and weakness. In addition, it helped me in
understanding the areas where I should be paying enough attention by which the health condition
of the patient is not compromised.