HSNS363 - Professional Case Reflection

The speaker reflects on a case study and emphasizes the importance of providing safe and effective care as a nurse. They discuss the concept of safeguarding patient care and outline strategies for achieving this, such as evidence-based practice, clear communication, advocacy for patients' rights, continuous monitoring, critical thinking, infection control, cultural awareness, and empathy. They acknowledge the challenges in healthcare settings and highlight the need to maintain integrity, professionalism, and accountability. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, seeking feedback, professional development, and evaluating patient outcomes. Reflecting on Ms Smithfield's story, I take this case study as a reminder of the interest at work nurses such as myself provide and the effect unsafe practice can have. I am also reminded that each decision we make within the clinical setting needs to be of conscious thought while also allowing for critical thinking. I feel this case has reinforced my own values, beliefs and attitudes, being to provide safe, respectful and effective care to patients, the same form of care I would wish to receive if I were in need. As a nurse, safeguarding patient care is a critical responsibility and duty of care to be upheld, assuring the wellbeing and safety of patients. Safeguarding is defined as protecting people's general wellbeing and human rights and allowing each person to live free from abuse and neglect. In alignment with national law, standards and codes, nursing strategies in practice play a vital role in safeguarding patient care effectively. My strategies for safeguarding patient care are revise and employ evidence-based practice and research to ensure appropriate care provisions in conjunction with practice guidelines and policies. Maintain clear and concise communication with family, multidisciplinary team members and patients while maintaining accuracy and confidentiality. Advocate on behalf of my patients' rights, addressing any concerns in a holistic form. Provide continuous monitoring for signs of deterioration or distress and acting on such. Be critical thinking in everyday clinical practice and provide person-centred care. Be conscious of self, ethical values and personal attitudes, maintaining a positive ethical decision-making process. Continuous utilisation of infection control measures and when required, aseptic techniques to avoid risk of harm. Be culturally and environmentally aware, providing care that is safe and relevant to the patient. Ensure empathy and respect for all within the health service, giving patients the care and grace I would like to receive if I were in that scenario. Within any healthcare setting, there are going to be challenges which pose a threat to how we provide care. However, it is how we conduct ourselves during these challenges that show the nature of who we are as nurses. Situations such as insufficient staffing, fatigue, new clinical systems, pressure to work outside of our scope, ethical conflicts and inadequate resources are often day-to-day challenges that need to be met with innovative responses. Integrity is one of the core values in nursing that needs to be maintained by nurses in practice. I believe the most important way to demonstrate integrity as a healthcare professional is to self-reflect on a regular basis, ensuring accountability for action and imposing strategies to better practice. Maintain safe practice and confidentiality measures which in turn obtains trust from patients, families and colleagues. Adhere to and abide by professional standards and organisation policies, inclusive of ethical guidelines. Avoid conflict and continually display professionalism to all we encounter as health professionals. Advocate on behalf of patients for their human rights, even in spite of potential conflict. Work within a team and equally contribute. Frequent self-evaluation and ongoing reflections are vital for professional development and the continuation of a strong personal identity. Personally, I employ the following strategies to ensure such professional and personal evaluation. Seek and actively engage with feedback and constructive criticism. Consider how my actions align with my personal values, attitudes and my profession. Immerse myself in professional development and identify areas requiring expansion. Reflect on patient outcomes and my role in such, making alterations for future if necessary. And finally, conduct self-reflection often within a healthy fall.