How to Become a Professional Nurse Essay

Becoming a professional nurse, a nurse must self-regulation with knowledge to practice standards and code of ethics. One of the first stepping stone is reflecting in journal of experiential learning. â€Å"Knowledge of yourself is gained from reflecting on your experience† (Cooper, 2001, p. 22). In the course Development of self as nurse I have learned how to be a professional nurse practicing the standards and code of ethics in a working environment. Also how the tools of communication is affective towards patients. When walking into a patient’s room for the first time, a Nurse is expected to examine the patients view and to provide the best quality of care. Personally I found the lesson Way of Knowing most engaging to learn because it teaches a nurse student how to approach the patient and communicate with them. There are many different types of ways of knowing which are empirical, ethical, aesthetical, personal and emancipatory. I found this topic most interesting because each one creates the principle and foundation of patient care. During one of the group activities we read a case study of a patient’s chart and discussed her condition and how we would approach and make a connection to her. This made me feel engaged to the subject as if I was standing next to the patient’s bed. Professionalism is one of many characteristic of being a nurse, with a responsibility of their actions, attitude and display the code of conduct to provide the best practice. How the media views affect nurses image has a negative impact on the professionalism aspect of nursing. In this activity we pulled pictures off of the internet of nurses and most were Halloween costumes or cartoons and we discussed how this affects the perspective of professional nurse. I found this most engaging because all the images of nurses on the internet are not what nurses thrive for in a professional view. A professional nurse is responsible for self regulation and to follow the code of ethics, this topic I was least engaged. Reading history of nursing creates an understanding of the past to enhance the present and is the foundation of structure with economics, consumer demand, family structure, science and technology, demography and the women movement. Without an activity and just reading about history of nursing I was least engaged with this topic. The most important lesson I have learned in Development of Self as Nurse is human relationships regarding the tools of communication and ethic, values regarding beliefs, attitude and spirit. Verbal, nonverbal, electronical, interpersonal, and therapeutic are tools of communication. I believe these two concepts are important to my personal development as a professional nurse by understanding the principle of providing proper socialisation processes which starts by approaching, communicating and connecting to a patient creating a positive patient-centered environment. â€Å"Sometimes a patient will tell us something over a cup of tea that may seem trivial, but that we can use to help make their stay more comfortable. † says Julie Thompson, Head Nurse of Burton Hospital. â€Å"Relative feedback that suggested nurses over look the little things that can make a huge difference. The Initiatives are small, but they are having a big impact. † Finding time to sit down with a patient and talk breaks down the barrier between the professional and patient enables real dialogue to take place (Friend, B. , 2013). In order to understand others beliefs, morals and values a professional nursing must have knowledge of one self. â€Å"Therefore, understanding oneself results in ethical practice. Applying this practice when a patient is uncertain about their values by helping them clarify their values by listing alternative, examine possible consequences of choice, choose freely and feels good about the choice. Kozier et al (2010), p. 75 Various forms of communication are practiced by having knowledge of interpersonal skills and professional communication. Using the tools of communication influences effective communication skills, a professional attitude, respect and dignity. Expectations and issues can become present when communicating with patients or other health care professionals. I am wondering how to overcome situations where an issue has occurred during communication with a patient and how to practice standard procedures to solve the issues, different influences including gender, culture, and illness. Nonverbal communication can be expressed such as a gesture or touch and is crucial to nurse-patient relationship. This often shows how a person is feeling then what is actually said. â€Å"Research shows that touch is the best way to comfort, generally from the shoulder down to the hand is the only acceptable areas for touch professionally. † Chillot, R. (2013). Many facts influence effective communication and I question how to apply and gain effective interpersonal skills? Having knowledge of critical thinking is very important in the role of nursing which identifies awareness of personal thinking skills and styles. Always asking yourself in any situation or scenario why? What else? And what if? This leads me to question how to apply critical thinking from the classroom to practice. Turning errors into learning opportunities is the key to skill development in critical thinking. Throughout the course Development of self as nurse I believe it has taught me how to figure out my own morals, values and beliefs and to successes in helping others to find theirs. Tools of communication open up a range of affective nurse-patient relationship and professional environment.