Importance Of Nursing Learning Experience

1. What did you learn from this learning experience?

As my first pediatric clinical experience, I was eager to learn about this population and how the nursing care differs based on the patient chronological and developmental age. On 6W, I was lucky enough to have a 1-year-old and a 15-year-old patient, which granted me the opportunity to perceive how my nurse shifted her care, based on the patient age. I noted differences in her education techniques, communication with the patients and family members, and nursing interventions. Despite the age differences, commonalities existed between the two patients, including: artificial airways: tracheostomy, nonverbal, sanctioning, G-tubs, and education requirements. While the admitting diagnoses differed

Skills that I was able to both witness and perform included: assessments, suctioning, tracheostomy care, wound care/dressing changes, bed bath, diapering, medication administration with pediatric pumps, patient discharge, positioning, education, and G-tube feedings. I felt that both the patients and their family members were willing to have a student participate in their care, and my nurse explained what she was doing and why is was importance. I felt that I had all of my questions answered by the end of the day, leaving me grateful for the experience. While the situation was heartbreaking, I was also able to witness a rapid response (Called CAT) on a patient my nurse had only received a few minutes prior. While I stood back in the situation, as I did not want to get in the way, I was able to perceive how the staff members worked together to reach a common goal. While multiple physicians were present, one took control, and every individual played an active role in the situation – translator, documenter, medication administrator, comforter, decision maker, and leader. After responding to the initial situation, we were able to transfer the patient to the PICU for further observation and

Because it was my first clinical experience, and because I have heard that PCH does not allow students to perform numerous nursing skills, I was unsure on how much I should ask to do. While I did perform the skills I felt comfortable with, and assisted my nurse throughout the day, I could have put myself out there more, despite not feeling completely confident. I plan on using my next two clinical days to fully immerse myself in the pediatric experience, as it is an area I could see myself working in. I look forward to all the opportunities and teaching experiences the next two clinical experiences