Within your reflection, describe the episode of care and how you assessed, planned, delivered, and evaluated person-centered care
The episode of care involves my experience working at the wound care clinic. I had the chance to provide patient-centered care to Mrs. W, who visited the outpatient clinic. She was hospitalized for eight weeks after suffering pneumonia and seizure. Although she had improved significantly to guarantee a discharge from the hospital, she had a big wound on her forehand due to a long-term cannula. Under my mentor’s direction and supervision, I had a chance to apply my wound care and dressing skills. While the episode allowed me to practice my lessons in the procedure before and after wound care and dressing, I successfully cleaned and dressed the wound with great caution; hence, the patient was quite satisfied with my care.
What did you do well?
I liked how the patient was satisfied with my care. I could tell she was contented because she was at ease and happy when I completed the process. I was encouraged by Karaca and Durna’s view that the patient’s satisfaction with the care provided should be a priority (535). One of the things that must have made the patient happy is my attention to detail. My preparation before the procedure, such as hand hygiene and preparing everything I needed, must have given the patient the confidence that I had the required expertise. She also felt that she was in safe hands, although I was a nurse student. I believe that my interaction with the patient was very successful.
What would you have done differently?
After reflecting on the care episode, I realized one important thing that I did not do to make the patient more comfortable. When approaching the patient, I assumed that the only information I needed to provide was a student nurse’s position at the hospital. However, I needed to gain more trust with the client by creating a more excellent rapport. According to Norcross and Wampold, the therapeutic relationship with the patient is a critical step in providing patient-centered care (1889). I should have taken time to explain to the patient my reason for being in her room, although it seemed apparent that I was there to dress her wound. Taking time to explain my intention and what I would do would have made the patient more confident in my competence.
Describe how you have begun to work more independently in the provision of care and the decision-making process
The episode was an opportunity to work independently and make critical decisions regarding patient care. My mentor provided minimal supervision in this case while I completed most of the work independently. For example, I decided to proceed with the ANTT (Aseptic Non-Touching Technique) without consultation, just like my mentor had taught me when I began the course. I also decided to draw the curtain to ensure the patient privacy and protect her dignity. Generally, I made most of the decisions in the episode independently and was confident that I had gained the necessary skills to continue working on my own.
What learning from this episode of care could be transferred to other areas of practice?
I have taken every opportunity to learn and become a better nurse. One of the lessons I will apply to my future practice includes creating a rapport with the client. It is necessary to gain the trust of the patient when offering patient-centered care. For example, I will always explain my intentions when caring for a patient. Another important lesson that will help in the future is the need to be cautious and follow all patient care guidelines from the first contact with the patient.
Works Cited
Karaca, Anita, and Zehra Durna. “Patient Satisfaction With the Quality of Nursing Care.” Nursing Open vol. 6, no.2, 2019, pp. 535-545.
Norcross, John C., and Bruce E. Wampold. “A New Therapy For Each Patient: Evidence‐Based Relationships and Responsiveness.” Journal of Clinical Psychology vol.74, no.11, 2018, pp. 1889-1906.