Running head: FINAL ANALYSIS 1

Final Analysis

My experiences in nursing school have taught me more than I could have ever imagined.

From the very first day being a nervous sophomore to being a confident nursing student in my

final semester of school. Bon Secours nursing program has helped further flame my passion for

caring for those in need and providing the best care for all individuals. Becoming a nurse has

been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. I love being there for people in their

greatest time of need, educating patients on how to manage their health, comforting the sick and

dying, and being the patients greatest advocate. I started nursing school as a novice student and

have learned many skills that have helped me become the person and future nurse I am today.

I remember my first day of clinical in my sophomore year very well. I was nervous about

interacting with patients and unsure of what to say to them. In addition to this new clinical

experience I was also overwhelmed by all of the information and skills that I was expected to

know by the end of the semester. I went from only knowing basic skills like blood sugars, giving

patients baths, administering PO and IM medications, to knowing how to set up IV medications

and fluids as well as other more advanced skills. The following semester of my junior year I

started to learn even more material and had to learn how to manage my time studying for

Pathopharmacology, Adult Nursing Science, and several other advanced nursing classes.

Through determination, vigorous studying, and consistency I was able to move on to the next

semester and continue my dream of becoming a nurse. In Adult Nursing Science I learned the

basics of each of the bodys systems, and in Pathopharmacology I learned about the necessary

medications that help keep the body functioning properly and provide life saving treatment for

patients. I also learned about the vulnerable populations in my studies and how to provide

resources and patient specific care. In my Mental Health class I learned about the various mental
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health illnesses and how to communicate therapeutically with this patient population. I was also

able to learn about the aging geriatric population and how to adapt my nursing practice to their

specific needs. In Nursing Research I learned about the importance of pursing evidenced based

practice and the importance of continuing to research new findings within the nursing profession.

In Servant Leadership I was able to focus on the importance of being a servant leader in my

future practice and being a role model for my peers.

Throughout my time at Bon Secours Memorial College of nursing I was able to observe

and practice my nursing skills at several different places. I have practiced my nursing skills at St.

Marys Hospital on the Mother Infant Unit, Labor and Delivery, Pediatric Unit, 5 South

Orthopaedic Unit, Emergency Department, Outpatient Pediatric Infusion Center, and the

Intermediate Cardiovascular Unit. At Memorial Regional Medical Center, I was able to practice

my nursing skills on the Neurotelemetry Unit, Pulmonary Cardiac Unit, General Surgery Unit,

Critical Care Unit and Oncology Unit. I have observed and/or volunteered at Cumberland

Hospital, Poplar Springs Hospital, Little Sisters of the Poor, the Burn Unit at VCU Medical

Center, and the Outpatient Infusion Center at St. Francis Medical Center. Each of these places

have greatly impacted my nursing skills and helped me become more confident in my abilities. I

feel capable to handle all patient populations such as pediatric, adult, geriatric, patients with

mental health illnesses, and more critically ill patients.

The clinical nursing experiences at Bon Secours have challenged me and allowed me to

grow in my abilities and nursing practice. In the first few semesters in this nursing program I

learned more basic skills like giving patients baths, transferring patients, and applying SCDs, to

more advanced skills that I was able to further display during my immersion experience this

semester.
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Over these past few months in my clinical immersion, my confidence in my nursing

practice has grown as well as my clinical skills. I have enjoyed working with a diverse patient

population from young to older adults. I have cared for many orthopaedic patients who received

total hip or knee replacements, shoulder fractures, bone infections, and general medical patients

as well. I have provided in depth patient teaching about discharge and home care after surgery,

medication education, signs and symptoms of infection, and mobility after surgery. I am skilled

in prioritizing patient needs and have great time management skills. I have cared for a full patient

load of 5 patients during a 12 hour shift. I have demonstrated my ability to safely administer

many forms of medications including IV antibiotics, IV fluids, IV push medications (Toradol,

Hydralazine), oral medications (aspirin, coumadin, various blood pressure medications, etc.,

Oxycodone), and subcutaneous injections (insulin, heparin, lovenox). I have also administered

several intramuscular flu shots to patients throughout this experience. I have developed care

plans for patients and focus on their individual education needs. I have collaborated with the

interdisciplinary team including case management, nurse practitioner, physical therapy,

occupational therapy, wound care nurse, respiratory therapy, and charge nurse. I have displayed

therapeutic communication with a diverse patient population and comforted patients in their time

of need. I am professional towards all staff members and patients and consistently advocate for

my patients needs. Overall, my experience in nursing school has taught me a lot about myself

and shown me what hard work and determination can accomplish. I am excited to continue apply

my skills that I learned in school into my future nursing practice.