NR 325 Week 2 Clinical Reflection

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-325 Adult Health II

Prof. Name:

Date

Week 2 Clinical Reflection

This week’s clinical experience was truly remarkable. I encountered a patient with a complex medical history, which provided a valuable learning opportunity. Observing how her past medical issues interconnected and contributed to complications after surgery was both fascinating and educational. The patient had atrial fibrillation, which caused her heart rate to remain elevated. Additionally, we faced challenges with her oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels. Although the patient had no history of oxygen dependency at home, she became oxygen-dependent after surgery. This unexpected development highlighted the importance of monitoring and managing potential complications, even when initial issues appear resolved.

I was fortunate to work with an incredibly supportive nurse this week. She was eager to teach and encouraged me to follow her as she attended to various patients. This hands-on experience allowed me to engage in several tasks, including bathing a patient, discharging another, and transferring a patient from one room to another. I also observed the process of pulling medications and worked with another nurse to discharge medications. One of the most educational experiences was setting up a PCA pump, which required cosigning with another nurse to ensure accurate dosing.

Building a strong patient-nurse relationship was another highlight of my week. Initially, I feared forming these connections, but I was able to establish a meaningful bond with one patient. This interaction significantly boosted my confidence, as I began to feel more at ease and capable within the unit. During this week, I had the opportunity to take vital signs and perform a head-to-toe assessment on my patient. These hands-on experiences reinforced the importance of clinical practice in nursing education.

Clinical settings provide an invaluable opportunity to discover and refine one’s passion for nursing. Performing tasks in person is vastly different from practicing skills online. Even the simplest procedures feel different when performed on-site, requiring focus and adaptability. Initially, I thought conducting a head-to-toe assessment in a clinical setting would be overwhelming. However, I found that once I began, everything flowed naturally, and I instinctively knew what to assess and prioritize for my patient. This week solidified my confidence and deepened my enthusiasm for the nursing profession.