The movie, “Nurses: If Florence Could See Us Now”, was a wonderful way to see the incredible roles nurses play in the lives of their patients and their families. Throughout time, nurses have laid the foundations that has led to today’s clinical practices. Nurses are innovative and transformative leaders who not only treat patients physically, but they consider all aspects of patient care, including emotional and spiritual, while at the same time considering the patient’s family and environment in which they live. The movie highlighted the ways in which nurses exemplify skills of nursing leadership as I have learned in my nursing courses. Nursing leaders inspire, influence, and encourage other nurses and other associated professionals while working as a collaborative team to ensure optimal patient care. The primary goal of a nurse leader is to maximize the potential of the team and achieve the intended goal. Nurse leaders are motivators, mentors, and advocators for themselves, their patients, and their associative medical team all-encompassing. As a future nurse, I will strive to develop these leadership qualities to provide the best possible healthcare. I can build on my previous learning by seeking out continuous education and working with inspirational mentors. Leadership requires the highest knowledge and competency, so lifelong learning will be important in order to stay up to date on the current advancements in medicine and patient care. To acquire this level of experience, nurse leaders continue their education and coursework throughout their careers as well as attending training sessions, nursing conferences and working on special projects which continuously helps advance their clinical and leadership expertise.
Throughout nursing school, I have participated in several clinical rotations, however I have not had the chance yet to work with the vulnerable patient population suffering from cancer. At the beginning of the movie, I had the opportunity to witness a nurse caring for a young child with cancer. In the movie, the nurses stresses how wonderful an opportunity and a privilege it is to help these children through their difficult times, but how there are some barriers that exist when working with this critically ill population. For instance, the nurse in the video voiced that when treating pediatric cancer populations in critical condition, you are not only treating the patient and their painful disease, but you are treating the whole family as well. Pediatric oncology nurses are invited into the patient’s family at their most difficult and vulnerable time, and it can be challenging for the nurses because not only is the child patient scared and emotional, but so is the child’s family, so a nurse can be comforting the family as often as they are comforting the child. Another challenge for a pediatric oncology nurse is that they also are often experiencing a host of emotions especially during times when a child is critically ill and in severe pain or if a young patient dies. It is hard for nurses to witness these difficult moments and it can take its toll on them overtime. Witnessing the vulnerable children, who are so ill, afraid and in continuous pain, can be emotionally exhausting and heartbreaking. At the same time, it is a rewarding time for the nurses as well because they know they helping sick children by providing a gentle hand, a reassuring voice, providing comfort and reducing anxiety. The pediatric oncology nurses are a support system for the whole family which is so important to the well-being of all. Also, it is so rewarding to witness a child recover and there is always a renewed hope when a once critically ill young patient is ultimately discharged from care and goes home. Nurses are such a big part of the recovery process and because they are so special, they often leave a lasting impression on the child and their entire family long into their lives.
Other barriers noted in the movie was about how critically ill children do not understand about their disease or the treatment they receive at the same level adults do which makes it challenging for the nurses because the small patients are often upset due to their fear, stress and confusion. It is often hard for nurses to overcome these issues to bring ease to their young patients which can be overwhelming and stressful for the nurses because their goal is to provide support and comfort. For instance, drawing blood or administering medications using a needle are often scary for young patients as are treatments which are critical to recovery, such as chemotherapy, that are frightening and painful. It is the role of the pediatric oncology nurse to help these children through these challenging moments by comforting them and trying to alleviate their fears and to reduce their pain if possible but it is not always easy for the nurse so being patient and creative is important. For instance, in the movie, one of the nurse’s wears a Disney costume which appears to help make the children feel safe and brightens their moods as they experience an interaction with a ‘need-stick’. It is the little gestures such as this one that can make all the difference to a suffering child and their family when they are experiencing difficult treatments.
Furthermore, the movie emphasized the importance of the practice of cultural humility, which readies nurses to care for patients of vulnerable populations. Cultural humility allows nurses to form a therapeutic relationship with a patient by honoring their beliefs and values. This requires empathy, self-reflection, and respect for others. By practicing cultural humility, care givers are able to understand what it might be like to walk in someone else’s shoes by understanding the other person’s perspective and their world view. The practice of cultural humility is especially important when working with diverse populations because it gives healthcare providers a greater understanding about cultures and beliefs that are different from their own. Patient populations are becoming increasingly diverse, so it is important that healthcare providers are increasingly empathetic and understanding as well. Being aware of and sensitive to a patient’s viewpoints, beliefs and culture can help create deeper connections between caregivers and a patient which can help to optimize care outcomes.
My goal, once I graduate, is to work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Maine Medical Center or in pediatrics, so this movie was special for me because it involved caring for vulnerable, critically ill young patients. As a future nurse wishing to work with the young, I want to learn as much as I can about this patient population and how to improve my communication with them and also to learn how to help bring the most comfort and positive support. A hospital setting can be scary, especially for the very young, so as a future nurse, I want to be sure I have all the skills possible to reduce the stress and anxiety of a sick child and their family and to provide the best care giving to those young patients who are seriously injured or enduring a life-threatening illness.
For the latter part of this reflection, I will be discussing how I will be preparing for completing future job applications and interviews after having the wonderful opportunity to listen to the guest speakers based on career preparation as well as listening to the recorded career services presentation. During the application/interview process, I will research an organization’s mission statement and priorities in order to demonstrate that my own skills and values align with theirs and to present myself as someone who would be a valuable addition to their team.
Effective communication skills are critical during the interview process as well as when I will be working as a nurse. During my interviews, I will be sure to actively listen and clearly articulate my responses. I will be aware of my body language and be sure my tone of voice is friendly and confident yet respectful. My goal is to build a rapport during the process just as I will do with my future patients.
In addition, I will be prepared to fully convey effective responses with the ability to outline my strengths including my clinical skills and how I am a team player who is adaptable and willing to go up and above to provide the best healthcare care possible. I will be prepared to advise the interviewer that it is my desire to make a difference in the world and improve the lives of others which is why I am pursuing a career in nursing and be able to outline the multiple skills I have learned during my rewarding experience at the University of New England including how I have excelled while developing a solid foundation in nursing concepts including evidence-based practice, holistic and client-centered care as well as critical thinking, clinical judgment, and nursing leadership.
Furthermore, if asked, I will be able to discuss any potential challenges I anticipate, such as adapting to a new culture and learning the healthcare provider’s policies and procedures, as well as, how I will manage conflicts and stressful situations which I am aware I will face especially as a new nurse. I will describe the importance of self-care and working to avoid burnt out as well as outline how I stay organized and manage my time well. In addition, I will be ready to answer how I will stay up to date on the latest advances in healthcare and newest treatments as well as how I see my career progressing over time if asked. My goal is to confidently convey that I have the overall skills to be a significant contributor to their organization and that I am excited and ready to work hard in partnership with their colleagues to help make their organization a successful one.
I will be prepared to describe my strengths which are my strong work ethic, effective organizational and time management skills and the ability to adapt and thrive in even the most stressful environments. I will be ready to discuss that I have successfully completed rotations at Maine Medical Center, New England Rehab Hospital and Spring Harbor Hospital and that I am a Helene Fund Scholar being inducted to the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, Kappa Zeta-at-Large Chapter in October 2022 and that my dedication and hard work has rewarded me by making the Dean’s List. I have worked as an emergency medical technician for the Gray/New Gloucester Fire Department which exhibits my ability to effectively work as part of a team and it has given me experience in the field dealing with acutely sick and injured patients.
Being a new nurse, I realize that there will be a number of challenges that will I face. The first is that I have never been a full time employee of in a hospital setting so I do have clinical skills but understand there will be a learning curve adapting to a new environment. I will need to learn everything from policies and procedures to the hospital layout and personnel. During my training, I plan to listen attentively, ask questions whenever necessary and take detailed notes as I job shadow during my onboarding process. I will not hide challenges I face and look for direction and consultation to insure I proceed effectively. Furthermore, I will look for a mentor that I can use as a resource and routinely ask for feedback from my supervisor so that I can improve myself. My goal is to seek out any resources that are available to overcome any challenges so that I can quickly meet and ultimately exceed expectations.
