Posted: June 7th, 2023

The Defining Moment in My Nursing Career

Order Instructions

Write a 550 word essay addressing each of the following points/questions. Be sure to completely answer all the questions for each bullet p550-wordoint. Separate each section in your paper with a clear heading that allows your professor to know which bullet you are addressing in that section of your paper. Support your ideas with at least two (2) sources in your essay. Make sure to reference the citations using the APA writing style for the essay. The cover page and reference page do not count toward the minimum word amount.

• Describe the case that defined you as a nurse. (I am a compassionate nurse; I also am proactive I try to anticipation action before it is too late, and I am a team player)

• What happened, how were you involved?

• How does this case still affect you and your practice?

• What steps have you taken to overcome the stress of this event? (Remember to protect patient privacy).

• Explain the importance of debriefings.

• If a debriding would happen in your workplace who would be involved, what would be discussed, who would lead the debriefing, and where would it take place?

***Description of the case:

About a year ago I had a 64-year-old female patient who had an End-Stage-Liver-Disease (ESLD) and she had ascites, her stomach was really distended. My shift starts at 7 pm. Earlier that day the patient had thoracentesis and they took 8 liters of fluids. After getting handoff report from the day shift nurse, I assessed the patient she was lethargic, Vital signs were stable Blood pressure in low systolic in the low 100s. Around midnight patient’s BP started to drop, systolic in the 60s. rechecked it and it was still low in systolic in the 70s. patients oxygen was low and put patient on 2L NC, Called the night hospitalist and did the SBAR. MD came to the room assessed the patient, ordered 500 ml Normal saline, IV albumin x2. Kept rechecking patients BP every 15 minutes, not change noted. Patient was full code, and I asked the hospitalist if patient should be transferred to ICU, with BPs that low patient was not appropriate Med-surge/Tele floor. However, the hospitalist was not ready to transfer patient yet. I was so stresses out about the patient’s situation yet I was reassuring the patient. I also had three other patient that were assigned to me, thank God they were stable. I stayed with that patient most of the night and kept calling the hospitalist. The hospitalist came and spoke with patient about her disease process the situation and patient code status switched to DNR Labs CBC and BMP done and the hemoglobin was 5.5. It was around 0530 am and notified the hospitalist, finally patient transferred to ICU and I was relieved. In this situation I tried to stay calm even though I was very stressed. I did not want to show it to the patient.

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The Defining Moment in My Nursing Career
Introduction
Nursing is a profession that requires compassion, proactivity, and teamwork. Throughout my career, I have encountered numerous cases that have shaped my practice. However, one particular case stands out as the defining moment in my nursing journey. This essay will discuss the case, my involvement, its impact on my practice, and the steps I have taken to overcome the stress of the event. Additionally, the importance of debriefings and their implementation in the workplace will be explored.
Case Description and Involvement
The case that defined me as a nurse involved a 64-year-old female patient with End-Stage Liver Disease (ESLD) and ascites. I began my shift at 7 pm, and the patient had undergone thoracentesis earlier that day, with 8 liters of fluid removed. She was lethargic, and her vital signs were stable, although her blood pressure was low. Around midnight, her blood pressure dropped further, and her oxygen levels were low. I called the night hospitalist and provided an SBAR report. The hospitalist ordered interventions, but the patient’s condition did not improve. Despite my concerns and suggestions, the patient was not transferred to the ICU until 5:30 am.
Impact on Practice
This case still affects my practice as it reinforced the importance of being proactive and advocating for my patients. I learned to trust my instincts and to persistently communicate with the healthcare team to ensure the best possible care for my patients. This experience also highlighted the need for effective teamwork and collaboration among healthcare professionals.
Overcoming Stress
To overcome the stress of this event, I have engaged in self-care activities such as exercise, meditation, and seeking support from colleagues and friends. I have also participated in professional development opportunities to enhance my knowledge and skills, which has increased my confidence in managing complex cases.
Importance of Debriefings
Debriefings are crucial in the nursing profession as they provide an opportunity for healthcare professionals to reflect on their experiences, share their thoughts and emotions, and learn from each other. Debriefings can help identify areas for improvement, enhance teamwork, and promote emotional well-being among staff members.
Debriefing Implementation
In my workplace, a debriefing would involve the healthcare team members who were directly involved in the patient’s care, including nurses, physicians, and other relevant staff. The debriefing would be led by a designated facilitator, such as a nurse manager or clinical educator, and would take place in a private and comfortable setting. The discussion would focus on the case, the team’s actions, and the lessons learned, while maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality.
Conclusion
The case of the 64-year-old female patient with ESLD and ascites was a defining moment in my nursing career. It taught me the importance of being proactive, advocating for my patients, and working collaboratively with the healthcare team. Overcoming the stress of this event has involved self-care and professional development. Debriefings play a vital role in promoting learning, teamwork, and emotional well-being among healthcare professionals.
References

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