Clinicals at Evergreen In Retrospect-Blog#8

While the experience at Evergreen helped me practice some of the skills I've learned this past semester and utilize the knowledge I've gained from classes, I am finishing up this semester feeling only slightly more confident. Being on the Med-Surg floor opened my eyes to how much I have yet to learn. I can't believe that in three short semesters I will be an RN. My last day at Clinical I had a patient who was a young woman who was in for a rectal and uterogenital prolapse. Unlike most of my other patients who have mostly been elderly and "chatty" this woman was cooperative but gave nonverbal communication to me that she did not want me in her room longer than I needed to be. As far as completing Gordon's Functional Health Assessment, I found this to be a challenging struggle. I felt self-conscious about asking personal questions to a patient who did not seem like she wanted to be disturbed. This patient was discharged at 11.00 am that day, and I had never even reached the third page of Gordon's with her. All of the personal questions regarding her spirituality, self-concept and sexuality I left blank. When discussing this issue of self-consciousness with Professor Haldeman, she gave good insight in reiterating the importance of giving holistic care for the patient, and giving the patient an opportunity to share with you, at least giving them the choice to. This made me realize while it may not be convenient or always within my comfort/confidence zone, I need to gain confidence by understanding that my scope of understanding will grow, and that the patient's care is what counts.