Pleasure having Chiedza on placement on Kennet ward. She has learnt a lot and her confidence is beginning to grow. Well done and Thank you.
ward manager
practice assessor
asmita.patel-kesby@nhs.net
I worked with student nurse Chiedza yesterday on a night shift. It was a pleasure to work with her, I basically put her in-charge of her own patient which enabled me to help out on the unit . She handled the work-load amazingly, calmly getting on with the job in hand, showing lots of initiative working on her own but also asking for asking for assistance and working as part of a team when required…good on ya Chiedza, very impressive.
(Practice Supervisor Band 5 nurse)
Chiedza had a morning experience with the Critical Care Outreach Team (CCOT) at Kingston Hospital. I am providing feedback as an CCOT specialist nurse who has supervised and supported Chiedza.
Chiedza is very enthusiastic student and very interested in learning. We had a chance to review a few critically ill patients and attend a peri-arrest call. She had exposure to management of severe sepsis. We discussed the importance of early recognition of sepsis, implementation of sepsis 6 and correlation between sepsis and AKI (acute kidney injury). We discussed her role as junior nurse and how to escalate concerns and call for help. She was able to demonstrate some critical thinking and problem solving strategies. There are some areas of knowledge about sepsis that she can still explore further. From the short interaction we had I have the impression Chiedza will have a successful nursing career and I wish her the best of luck.
Chiedza was a very helpful and engaged student today. She accompanied me on TVN and diabetic foot MDT ward rounds. She always ensured patients dignity and privacy and demonstrated excellent hand hygiene .She was very keen to learn and apply her knowledge to future practice.
I wish her good luck in her future career.
CNS – Andrea Cain(Tissue viability nurse)
Chiedza has demonstrated an excellent level of insight and clinical reflection in the last 12 weeks of her critical care placement. She has taken a proactive approach through consolidating theoretical knowledge and has applied it effectively in practice. Also, she has shown ability to link an understanding with clinical reasoning particularly in interpreting ABG results, ventilation settings and pharmacological interventions. She shows a compassionate and holistic approach to care which is important in ICU settings. I acknowledge her recognition to areas of further development, which just shows self-awareness and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Chiedza has shown great progress in developing skills in her entire placement in ITU. Her ability to apply ABCDE approach in patient assessment and a systematic approach shows good clinical skills. it is commendable how she embraced opportunities in developing procedures such as IV administration, transfusion and IV titration under supervision. She also practiced safe handovers using SBAR and ITU protocol just demonstrates strong situational awareness and communication. I am impressed with her proactive learning of non verbal communication strategies including picture boards and lip reading, which is important in this settings, whilst also balancing multiple demands in a high-acuity environment is no easy task. She has shown improvement in responding to patient needs effectively. Chiedza, your reflection suggests a solid foundation for continued development in safe and centered critical care.
Her reflection reveals a deeply compassionate and grounded approach to nursing. it is heartwarming to see how she has prioritized preserving patient dignity and promoting autonomy especially to patients who were sedated and non verbal. Her awareness of how small gestures can maintain human connecting in this setting reflects emotional intelligence and empathy. Also, she has shown collaboration and teamwork by raising concerns, advocating her patients through discussion with doctors and pharmacist during ward rounds. Her emphasis on involving families in care decisions and facilitating communication during recovery highlights her commitment to holistic care. Overall, her development in this area shows that she is not only clinically competent but also value-driven and prepared to advocate for those in her care.
Learning and Development Needs:
As a newly qualified nurse, I encourage her to continue building confidence in leading complex patient care discussion especially in multidisciplinary rounds. Further practice with advanced procedures and complex infusions to enhance technical proficiency. Developing greater independence in managing deteriorating patients using clinical judgement, and take opportunities to enhance leadership skills by initiating care planning and contributing to decision-making in the team.
I am a band 5 nurse, while the student was in the unit I supervised her when doing bloods/cannulation for patients. Delegated the student to handle a patient for blood transfusion from start to finish.
The student will need more exposure to patients needing blood tests and cannulation, she will need supervision while doing it as well. She is competent when preparing and giving oral medications. Will need minimal supervision when preparing IV medications and giving to patients. She is able to start blood transfusion and monitor but will need supervision if blood reactions will happen. She has initiative and establishes rapport well with patient and the team.
(Practice Supervisor Band 5 nurse)
Chiedza worked with me today taking care of pocu patients(post operative care unit) who needs close monitoring,she was able to perform good care with the knowledge of how to escalate the concerns,and professionally managed medical devices such as cardiac monitors,ivac pumps and was able to monitor and give care to patients and helped transform them to ward care from critical care.
(Practice Supervisor Band 5 nurse)
Chiedza assisted in minor ops dermatology and venous closure as part of her allocated learning for the day. She has done well.
Chiedza is a very hardworking working student nurse. She assisted in Dermatology minor ops and venous closure in the afternoon. She was proactive in both procedures. She introduce herself to patients and staff, she asked for consent before the procedure. Chiedza interacted and engaged with patient and staff. She has good communication and interpersonal relationship skills. She uses her own initiative and always willing to give a helping hand. She had the opportunity to set the trolley in an aseptic way. She asked questions throughout the procedure. She is a team worker as well as team player and she is loved by both staff and patients.
(Written by Practice Supervisor)
FEEDBACK FOR SURGICAL PLACEMENT
Chiedza came to this placement showing a keen interest to learn as she was displaying a quick and inquiring mind. She has gained more knowledge about escalating the vital signs. She is developing confidence in medication administration , preoperative care of the patients such as confident in doing preoperative checklist and assessment of the patients.Her natural interest in people and the science behind medicine has led her to take a real interest in nursing allowing her to learn all aspects of surgical care. Chiedza has worked in our operating rooms, where we perform elective surgery on patients. After the procedure, they are sent to recovery and then to a ward for post-operative care. Chiedza has come a long way throughout her placement. Chiedza has progressed so much during this placement. Her post operative care knowledge is developing and believe Chiedza will be able to gain more knowledge and transfer much of this knowledge to her nursing care in any working environment that she will be.
Chiedza has shown from the start a caring and compassionate nature. Chiedza has also developed with her clinical skills including gathering experience in preparation of IV medications, documentation ,removal of catheters in males as well as her subcantenous injection techniques. She learns and listens well. She can take and follow instructions and reflects well on all experiences to enhance her practice.In her time with us, Chiedza’s confidence has increased . She has been developing her confidence and assertively working with the multidisciplinary team to guarantee high-quality patient care. She always operates securely within her own limitations and knows when to seek for assistance. In addition to all of this, she has a kind disposition and is very polite. She is always on time and is smartly dressed. She shows great promise for the future nurse she will become.
To continue learning and practicing the skills above mentioned. She needs to continue to improve on her concentration more in her future placements to enhance her skills and abilities and to continue to practice and learn her medicines management skills.
REFLECTION YEAR 2 THEATRES
Knowledge
I have managed to learn and practice the importance of confidentiality in accordance with the NMC code while on my placement on Alexandra ward. I have understood the importance of being non-judgmental, respectful and courteous at all times when interacting with patients, service users and all colleagues as well as maintaining the person’s privacy and dignity by seeking consent prior to care and observations during patients elective surgery. The day consists of medication management specifically towards post-operative care patients. We mainly focus on pain management, nausea management, and any relevant personal care as well as taking observations and other monitoring such as fluid balance and bowel management. For example, if a patient has a colorectal surgery, they have regular checks, as well as wound care/dressing changes and documentation. I have gained more knowledge on medication management as I have done a number of drug rounds and IV preparations under supervision of my practice supervisor. I have gained knowledge by observing my mentor practice good wound care management on post operative patients.
Each day is different and you are faced with a wide variety of patients, personalities, and problems. Having the same patients gives a lot of time to get to know them, and eventually i have mastered the art of small talk. As a student on a surgical placement, I have the opportunity to not only spend time with patients and the nurse, but to watch surgeries, small procedures, and scans. This has been fascinating and a completely new experience. I have been able to see someone have a closure of an ileostomy procedure as this was the first time observing an operation. This is something I will never forget. The most rewarding part is going home knowing I have made a difference to a patient’s day, even if it’s only small, those days are the most special.
Skills
I have been given the opportunity to work and study on (AOD) Admission on the day Ward whereby I developed skills based on patient interaction with inpatients being admitted for their elective surgery for the day. I have managed to enhance my skills and knowledge when it comes to medication drug rounds. I have practiced the five rights of medications under supervision and I have been given the opportunity to learn IV preparations. I have prepared IV antibiotics such as Amoxiclav and I have practiced and developed my knowledge more on subcutaneous injection techniques(Fragmin).
I have practiced to take care of patients with nasal gastric tubes(aspiration purpose).I have enhanced my learning on how to use the bladder scanner for measuring residual volume of urine. I have continued to practice being able to practice basic drug calculations. I have observed ECG’s and practiced with my supervisor. Able to understand the preoperative preparation of the patient( Pre-op checklist, Pregnancy test,TED stocking)
Attitudes and values
On my first day of placement at Alex ward I was really nervous but a bit more slightly confident due to the fact that I was in my second year of placement and I had gained a bit more experience based on my first year in placement. The first week I was quite overwhelmed with trying to learn the day to day routines of the ward, whilst trying to learn and understand the new terminologies I had to adapt to based on the fact it was a surgical ward. After the week went by I no longer felt what I felt on the first day. I had eventually adapted to my new surroundings, I felt like I was fitting in to the team and I felt more inclined to learn all the different procedures and values they shared with their patients and amongst each other as colleagues. I have utilized my free time to start revising and doing some research on the common problems faced by the ward so I could have better knowledge and understanding when I am on the ward with my patients as well communicating with the healthcare team.
I really value the experience I have been gaining on my placement at Alex ward. It has enabled me to think about the emotional , mental and physical aspects a patient has to face before and after surgery. I have a positive attitude on the ward I have been placed on, and I have grown to love the place whilst still being able to understand that I have to put myself out there in order to experience the opportunities that have been set before me. I have also managed to learn and practice how to communicate effectively with my patients as well as my team. I have observed during my placement that I have acquired a professional attitude toward my learning and I am able to follow the trust policies of the hospital inline with that of the University. I have observed all the rules and regulations and have managed to maintain safe practice throughout the first half my placement and when I was uncertain I asked for help and guidance from my supervisor. I even had a meeting with my link lecturer and she has reassured that everything is going to be okay and if I was ever in a difficult situation or if I was having problems at placement she would be there to assist me and advise me.