MY RELECTIONS
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Reflection is a large part of nursing practice. Nurses must reflect on their work by looking at their strengths, weaknesses and feedback from others. Reflecting as a nurse can help achieve short and long-term goals, and ultimately help improve patient and self-care.
As I continue my nursing journey as a student, despite being only being in the first semester of my education, I have already begun preparing for the transitions that lie ahead. Moving from classroom learning to clinical practice brings added responsibility and allows theoretical knowledge to be applied in real-life scenarios. Carless-Kane and Nowell (2023) highlight the challenges nursing students face during this transition, emphasizing the importance of connecting classroom knowledge with practical application in clinical settings. Throughout the nursing curriculum, we will learn patient care, and it is expected that students apply this knowledge to develop both skills and clinical judgment.
When I reflect on the qualities that will enhance my nursing practice in the future, confidence and competence stand out. As a nursing student, it is common to feel unsure due to the lack of experience in clinical practice. However, with confidence comes competence, and to be a respected nurse, it is essential to be skilled and capable in caring for others. Now is the best time to start reflecting on these qualities. Reading an article by Alharbi et al. (2023) made me realize the value of advice from experienced nurses. The article helps nursing students understand the transition from a nursing student to a new graduate, and from new graduate to seasoned nurse. Although it can be intimidating, it also prepares me for the exciting challenges ahead.
To implement learning effectively, reflecting on the core qualities that define a good nurse is key. This is important for me, as I can integrate these qualities into my clinical practice, making them second nature by the time I graduate. Nursing education teaches the foundation of becoming a good nurse. According to Baek et al. (2023) the primary goal of nursing school is to equip students with the competence and knowledge necessary to meet patient needs. Another vital aspect of training is developing teamwork skills. Learning how to collaborate with others on the healthcare team is essential for improving the quality of care. Although teamwork is introduced early, through group projects and exercises, it is especially emphasized in nursing school because we rely on our peers’ input and knowledge to deliver balanced care. I didn’t fully appreciate the importance of teamwork until reading this article, which reinforced its significance.
This reflection highlights areas I, as a nursing student, need to practice and strengthen throughout my education to ease the transitions ahead. Just as healthcare evolves, nursing education evolves, guiding a student toward becoming a registered nurse. I plan to carry the lessons I’ve learned throughout my education into my future nursing career.
REFERENCES:
Alharbi, F. H., Alkarani, S. A., Althagafi, A., Alzahrani, J., Hamed, A. (2023). The Experiences of Newly Graduated Nurses during Their First Year of Practice. Vol 11. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/14/2048
Baek, H., Cho, H., Han, K., Ju, J. (2023). Nursing Teamwork is Essential in Promoting Patient-Centered Care: A Cross-sectional Study. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10655287/
Carless-Kane, S., Nowell, L. (2023). Nursing students learning transfer from classroom to clinical practice: An integrative review. Vol 71. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1471595323001932?via%3Dihub