Introduction
This assignment is a reflective account on nursing skills that I was assigned while on placement in an Organic Mental Health In-Patient Ward, presented with physical conditions and early stages of dementia. The three skills I want to base my essay on are Subcutaneous Injections, Physiological skill – limited to measurement of blood pressure, Blood Glucose Testing. A brief definition of reflection will be attempted and the importance of reflective account as a student nurse.
The Gibbs (1988) reflective cycle has been chosen as a framework for reflecting on my chosen clinical skills as it is simple, clear, precise and incorporates all the core skills of reflection appropriate for first placement . Debatably, the Gibb’s model is concentrated on reflection on action, but with practice it could be used to focus on reflection in and before action; allowing for description, analysis and evaluation of the experience to help practitioners or student nurse in my case to make meaning of experiences and scrutinise best practice. The model enables the practitioner to gain instant insights into areas that I have they been ignorant and made valuable judgement or conclusions to formulate viable action plans for future practice development.
Jasper (2003) sees reflection as an act of promoting the development of autonomous, qualified and self-directed professionals. In other words, reflecting in this perspective is deliberately engaging a practice to enhance the quality of service delivery by the health professional.( practice is synonymous to improvement). When the student reflects, they analyse past incidents to promote learning and improve safety in care practice.
Subcutaneous (SC) Injection Technique
The first clinical skill I want to reflect on is Subcutaneous Injection (SC), administered in the fatty layer of tissue under the skin, and this technique is chosen when continuous absorption of the drug is
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