NURSE LOGIC MODULE 3 & 4: REFLECTION
The third module, called “knowledge and clinical judgment,” focuses on the knowledge required for patient care, as well as clinical judgment, to ensure safe, high-quality client-centered care. Concerning the knowledge of patient care, I have learned that a nurse needs a fundamental understanding of many aspects that influence excellent patient care. These aspects include physiology and pathophysiology, pharmacology, nutrition, effective communication, comprehensive knowledge of nursing procedures, mathematic calculations, technology, ethics, and laws. Before this module, my knowledge of ethical and legal issues associated with the nursing world was limited. Although the module briefly summarized these issues, it expressed the importance of legal and ethical issues with the nursing profession. Legal issues are of the utmost importance to protect the public by providing a safe and secure environment by maintaining best practices implemented in certain institutions, continuing education, and promoting the most elite skills in a rapidly evolving discipline. At the same time, ethical issues are significant to consider because some situations could or could not be supported by legal requirements. Often, personal views and feelings could potentially impact ethical issues in the nursing environment, so it is essential to consider these issues before encountering them in practice.
Additionally, this module was beneficial because it corresponds well with the curriculum in my classes this semester. In this first semester of my program, I have learned about effective communication, nutrition, mathematical calculations and have had some experience with actual nursing procedures within the field of nursing. Overall, my new understanding of the importance of nursing practices, including critical judgment, will influence my integration into the nursing culture because now I am aware of the significance of the many facets involved, which will help me become a better nurse.
The fourth module, “Priority Setting Framework,” outlined the significance of priority setting and decision-making in the nursing field. It provided a good understanding of aids to good decision-making on prioritizing matters that cold face us daily, which is greatly important in preparing us for the integration into the nursing culture. This module discusses various vital techniques and schools of thought; however, the significant two included “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs” and “Airway, Breathing, and Circulation.”
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs” describes that as a nurse, we should prioritize the physiological concerns and needs of the patient, such as oxygenation, circulation, nutrition, elimination, fluid balance, activity and exercise, rest, and sleep. Then to follow in order includes the patient’s safety and security (e.g., safe environment, stable income, shelter), love and belonging (e.g., love, affection, relationships with others and the community), self-esteem (e.g., self-respect and personal worth), and self-actualization (e.g., personal growth). This theory correlates well with the material I am learning in my courses because we can apply this to various nursing situations. Also, it will be a valuable tool to utilize on exams when questions are asked about “which patient is a priority?” or “which patient should the nurse see first?”. In the same regard, the technique “Airway, Breathing, and Circulation” relates well to current class material and current testing methods in my courses this semester. “Airway, Breathing, and Circulation” discusses how a patient who is having an “airway” complication such as obstruction is the top priority, then as follows; a patient who is in respiratory distress and having inadequate ventilatory effort; and lastly, circulation, which pertains to an individual’s cardiovascular system. Overall, this module will influence me as a nurse because now I have gained a greater understanding of how to integrate decision making and priority setting in patient care, so each patient will receive the best outcome physically, emotionally, and mentally.
