Reflective Journal in Rehab Ward
The past 10 weeks have been a great learning experience for me, especially since this was my first clinical placement. I have gained competence in performing different procedures on patients, while learning a variety of skill sets to assist with the work which was not taught in textbooks.
My most unforgettable experience was the administration of intramuscular (IM) injections. As someone that has never injected a needle before, I felt this experience was quite scary and mind blowing. Although I had already observed this procedure several times prior to performing it, I was still very nervous when I was asked to administer a drug to a patient via IM injection. The fact that there was nearly no resistance in piercing through the patient’s skin has really shocked me, this has lead me to think that it is actually so easy to get hurt or to hurt somebody, and that we are so fragile. I felt really lucky that my mentor was talking me through the procedure step by step, assisting me to complete this task without my heart jumping out.
My most depressing moment during my first clinical placement was when patients rejected my care. Although I understand those patients were suffering from dementia and most likely do not know what they were doing, it still affected me and got me feeling quite down. I must admit when facing patients that raised their fists and legs at me, it was hard for me to spend more time or provide extra care for them willingly. There was a slight instant where I wanted to give up as I feel I should not be treated this way while pouring my heart out trying to help them. However in the end, it came to my realization that these are patients and they are sick, so I cannot and should not ever think this way.
In retrospect, I am satisfied with myself and how I performed during my first clinical placement. I feel this chance has enabled me to learn a lot, as if I was a new piece of paper and now I have become one that has at least some writing on it.
My most unforgettable experience was the administration of intramuscular (IM) injections. As someone that has never injected a needle before, I felt this experience was quite scary and mind blowing. Although I had already observed this procedure several times prior to performing it, I was still very nervous when I was asked to administer a drug to a patient via IM injection. The fact that there was nearly no resistance in piercing through the patient’s skin has really shocked me, this has lead me to think that it is actually so easy to get hurt or to hurt somebody, and that we are so fragile. I felt really lucky that my mentor was talking me through the procedure step by step, assisting me to complete this task without my heart jumping out.
My most depressing moment during my first clinical placement was when patients rejected my care. Although I understand those patients were suffering from dementia and most likely do not know what they were doing, it still affected me and got me feeling quite down. I must admit when facing patients that raised their fists and legs at me, it was hard for me to spend more time or provide extra care for them willingly. There was a slight instant where I wanted to give up as I feel I should not be treated this way while pouring my heart out trying to help them. However in the end, it came to my realization that these are patients and they are sick, so I cannot and should not ever think this way.
In retrospect, I am satisfied with myself and how I performed during my first clinical placement. I feel this chance has enabled me to learn a lot, as if I was a new piece of paper and now I have become one that has at least some writing on it.