The experiences and opportunities I have been given throughout my time at Bon
think through increased knowledge and mastering professional skill sets. I value the
Catholic healthcare system as a way to restore health, prevent disease, and promote
philosophies to nursing, including family centered care and creating therapeutic nurse-
patients lives.
experience. I was taking care of a patient that was on a ventilator and had multiple drains
and lines connected to his body. He was admitted with sepsis and battling a gruesome
cancer diagnosis. He had a wife and daughter that spent hours in his room providing
simple comfort care and talking to doctors. The suffering I saw this family experience
influenced my new thoughts on patient care. Before this moment, I often thought in
simple terms. I always felt like the care I provide to the patient is more important that
anyone else in the situation. However, this viewpoint has changed. Now, I realize that
family centered care is the best approach because it allows for the supporting individuals
to express their concerns and receive resources they may need in order to heal too.
care I provide to my patients. I understand that you cannot only focus the nursing care on
the physical alignments. Instead, the medical team must pay attention to the mind and
spirit as well. Both of these components promote healing and should never be neglected.
A healthy mind increases the chances for a patient to have a better outcome after they
become ill too. When a patient is mentally stable, they are more receptive to patient
The extensive skills that I have learned during my time at the college have also
allowed me to become more confident in my nursing practice each semester. When I first
began clinicals in the acute care settings, I only felt competent enough to collect vital
signs and measure urine output in a foley bag. The next few semesters, my confidence in
I have reached a level of confidence and competence that once seemed impossible. I am
able to draw up medications feeling relaxed and at ease. My time management skills are
much better and I am able to provide care for three to four patients without many
concerns. I remember the first time I received two patients in the clinical setting and I
was very stressed. I never thought I would reach a level that would allow my
While I continue to gain experience in the acute care setting, there are still aspects
of the nursing profession I need minimum to moderate assistance with though. One
example is my ability to put in a new IV and collect blood draws. I still struggle with
stabilizing veins that roll or advancing catheters into the veins once I see blood return.
I also have trouble with the new IV machines too. In the clinical setting, we did not
always get a lot of practice working with the old IV machines. However, that began to
change when I first started immersion. I became confident to complete this task on my
own and without any help from my preceptor. Now, the new IV machines make me feel
like I am taking a step back in my nursing care. I still need my preceptor to guide me
through the general steps, but she has assured me that this skill will continue to improve
over time. Sterile procedures are another aspect of nursing care I still struggle with. I
know the general steps and how to remain sterile. My biggest obstacle to this concern is
that I have received minimal exposure to these activities. As a result, it often requires me
more time to complete the task. At times these skills seem impossible and I find myself
continue watching my nursing skills develop through years of experience and unique
opportunities.