I believe I managed my time efficiently, ensuring I completed all tasks for each patient, such as; Vital signs, personal care, patients observation charts as per schedule, fluid balance and provide catheter care. I would attend to the needs of all my patients and ensure that all their call bells were within reach. I was aware that I had a patient with a wound so ensuring I managed my time efficiently by prioritising this patient so I can observe and assess the stage of their wound, whether it is intact and improving or if the skin has begun to breakdown which in turn can cause pressure ulcers. Prior to providing wound care I would; explain to the patient what care I would be providing them, gain consent from the patient, once obtained I would wash and dry my hands thoroughly, wear disposable gloves and apron. As I am a student nurse I would inform the nurse in charge and complete the appropriate wound care. Also it is important to keep the family updated on the welfare and health as their was no visitors allowed in the bay.

I have used the Gibbs Reflective cycle, Gibbs, G. (1988) to reflect on my learning and factors that either went well or didn’t go well and create an action plan . It covers 6 stages: During this experience, I cared for a group of patients in a bay within the ward on my final week of placement, in which I was satisfied that I waited until the last week of my placement to take on a bay a bit m0re independently as I believe that I have gained more confidence in the delivery of person centered care for more than one patient and improved on my time management skills.

My evaluation on the process of care is that I followed the steps to be vigilant and to comply with infection prevention and control measures; for example hand hygiene, wearing PPE at all times when in the bay and changing it when appropriate such as; providing care for a different patient. I done my best to provide safe care to my patients throughout the day, understanding the importance of monitoring patient’s vital signs, such as; treating a high temperature. If the patient has a high temperature, I would encourage them to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration and to inform a nurse as there maybe medications prescribed such as paracetamol, if the patient feels uncomfortable. I would also Complete observations more regularly and encourage them to have plenty of rest.

I have confidence that I had expanded my knowledge in how to care for patients with covid in isolation, and during this experience I was able to efficiently provide person centered care to my patients. However, for future care, I will try to improve on my prioritization and organization skills, in order to become more confident in delivering care to my patients. As I have also given care to those in isolation, I believe that next time I will be more confident and be able to use my skills with other patients that may need isolation such as those with diarrhoea . This will help me to provide safe care and prevent breakouts of infectious diseases, providing better service to not only the patient I’m caring for but also others receiving care within the hospital.

Gibbs Reflective cycle, Gibbs, G. (1988). Learning by doing: A guide to teaching and learning methods.

Royal College of Physicians. National Early Warning Score (NEWS) 2. Published in 2017.

Reproduced from: Royal College of Physicians. National Early Warning Score (NEWS) 2: Standardizing the assessment of acute-illness severity in the NHS. Updated report of a working party. London: RCP, 2017.