Nursing Interview Reflection

A conversation that I can recall having a significant impact on me happened a few years ago while I was in nursing school. It occurred with my first semester clinical instructor. The conversation began after she handed me back the first nursing care plan that I had turned in. The only thing I noticed from first glancing at the paper was all corrections, notes, and comments that had been made in red ink. I am sure it was clear by my facial expressions that I was clearly upset by this. This instructor followed me out into the hallway which is where this conversation took place. My first thought was “Great, as if the grade wasn’t enough. Now I am going to get lectured.” But that was not the case. She was very kind. She spoke to me calmly
and respectfully. She listened to me explain my concerns. “I worked really hard on this assignment, spent several hours. How had I done so badly?” Her first response to me was “Take a deep breath” This instructor then started the conversation slowly. She explained that she understood this was our first graded care plan and that she didn’t expect perfection. She understood that we had not had much instruction on the expectation of this assignment. She then continued the conversation by explaining each thing that she had commented on and thought needed improvement. She told me that that I needed to re-do this whole care plan. Again she must have notice the feeling of disappointment in my facial expressions because she then explained that it was because she wanted me to learn from those mistakes. That re-doing this assignment would help me gain a better understanding of her expectations. We then joked about all the “red ink”. And the next care plan and everyone afterwards she would use a different color ink. Pink, green, purple, it became a joke between us. While this small conversation may not seem significant to some, it provided me with the encouragement I needed at the time. I was treated with respect. She remained calm, she explained. She smiled and we laughed together. This conversation left me feeling lifted up, instead of defeated. All of these things in combination added value to our conversation and allowed me to develop a trusting relationship with her.
The was truly one of the best conversation I have experienced. And one that has left me feeling encouraged years later. The only improvement I would have made to this conversation was I could have gone in with a more open mind and less upset over the red ink.