Reflection on Practice
Word count: 590
Reflection on practice
(Using Mark-Maran and Rose 1997 reflective model)
During my semester 1 placement on a gynaecology ward, I got the chance to observe a patient attend the pre-operative assessment unit. For the purposes of anonymity and confidentiality, to uphold the Nursing & Midwifery Council, professional code of conduct (NMC 2008), I have given the patient the pseudonym of Lorraine.
Lorraine was referred from her local GP, due to post menopause bleeding, which was found to be cancer of the uterus. The gynaecology specialist nurses did the pre-operative assessment, which I gained consent from the patient to observe (NMC 2008). Lorraine was medically fit and signed the consent form to go forward with the operation. Two days later Lorraine was going to have a laparoscopic abdominal hysterectomy and a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. I also gained consent from the surgeon and anaesthetist to observe the operation (NMC 2008).
I introduced myself to Lorraine in the waiting room, which gave me an ideal chance to speak to her and gain more of an understanding of her condition and how she felt. Lorraine seemed happy to explain her condition and how she felt when she was diagnosed; she welcomed questions and answered them with comfort. The first thing that shocked me was how simply Lorraine spoke about her condition and that the word ‘cancer’ did not scare her when she first heard it. This was my first encounter with a recently diagnosed cancer patient, and I did not know what sort of emotional state to expect Lorraine in, but I was pleasantly surprised at how well she seemed to be coping.
I felt this was where my communication skills were lacking, Nelson-Jones (1990) stated that; ‘facial expression are an intrinsic way to express emotions’. Considering this I must have shown worry and concern through my facial expression, this caused Lorraine to pick up on my feelings during our conversation, she tried to explain how her approach to
Reflection on practice
(Using Mark-Maran and Rose 1997 reflective model)
During my semester 1 placement on a gynaecology ward, I got the chance to observe a patient attend the pre-operative assessment unit. For the purposes of anonymity and confidentiality, to uphold the Nursing & Midwifery Council, professional code of conduct (NMC 2008), I have given the patient the pseudonym of Lorraine.
Lorraine was referred from her local GP, due to post menopause bleeding, which was found to be cancer of the uterus. The gynaecology specialist nurses did the pre-operative assessment, which I gained consent from the patient to observe (NMC 2008). Lorraine was medically fit and signed the consent form to go forward with the operation. Two days later Lorraine was going to have a laparoscopic abdominal hysterectomy and a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. I also gained consent from the surgeon and anaesthetist to observe the operation (NMC 2008).
I introduced myself to Lorraine in the waiting room, which gave me an ideal chance to speak to her and gain more of an understanding of her condition and how she felt. Lorraine seemed happy to explain her condition and how she felt when she was diagnosed; she welcomed questions and answered them with comfort. The first thing that shocked me was how simply Lorraine spoke about her condition and that the word ‘cancer’ did not scare her when she first heard it. This was my first encounter with a recently diagnosed cancer patient, and I did not know what sort of emotional state to expect Lorraine in, but I was pleasantly surprised at how well she seemed to be coping.
I felt this was where my communication skills were lacking, Nelson-Jones (1990) stated that; ‘facial expression are an intrinsic way to express emotions’. Considering this I must have shown worry and concern through my facial expression, this caused Lorraine to pick up on my feelings during our conversation, she tried to explain how her approach to
References: Lazarus, R. (1984). Stress, appraisal and coping. New York: Springer Marks-Maran, D. Rose, P. (1997). Reconstructing Nursing: Beyond art and science. London: Balliere Tindall Nelson-Jones, R (1990). Human Relationships: A skills approach. California: Brooks Nursing and Midwifery Council. (NMC). (2008). The code – Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics for Nurses and Midwives. London: NMC Remland, M. (2009). Nonverbal communication in everyday life. Boston: Allyn & Bacon Rowe, J (1999). Self awareness: improving the nurse-client interactions. Nursing Standards. 14(14): 37-40