Introduction
Finishing the conceptual part of the nursing course is just a preparation for a bigger role which needs to be accomplished by the aspirants. This role can be more appreciated when practicum commences. This is the point when all the knowledge and information gained in the classroom are applied in real-life situations. Real people, real health conditions, and real hospital settings; these are what nursing students will face upon reaching the practicum stage.
However, most beginners tend to adjust to more harsh situations brought about by nursing practicum. Strengths and weaknesses will eventually emerge. In order to cope up with these changes, it is important to take a look back to the things that have been learned in the classroom and try to focus on accomplishing the objectives set by the activities.
Strengths and Weaknesses
First of all, I would like to state my possible strengths and weaknesses when I take up the nursing practicum program. This is important so the people around me have an accurate expectation of what I will do in the first few days of my experience, especially when interacting with the children. Children have several needs to attend to, and as stated by NAPNAP (2014), not only the children are concerned with the pediatric health service, but also the parents of these children as well. Important knowledge on health care must be always efficiently applied because children are more complicated patients than the adult ones, because their behaviors are far more unpredictable and therefore, medications will be difficult to apply without their parents to assist in medication.
Anxiety comes into my system every time a new work or environment is introduced. It is due to unfamiliarity and the adjustment period, however, at some time, anxiety lingers for a long time, and this might affect my overall performance on child care. Also, due to the new adjustments, handling stress might be a problem at first. However, even after coping with this problem at a later time, this might affect the initial impression on my performance and this will not be helpful for myself, for the children, and for the institution.
Fortunately, despite the weaknesses that have been mentioned, there are corresponding strengths which will make up for the weaknesses. First, patience is one of my most defining traits. Since children will be handled in the practicum, the patients will be more energetic and active. However, highly active they might be, I am sure that I will provide them their needed health care and become adept at it through. Another strength must be the respect I always give to my superiors. As long as we are one in providing the best health care for the patients, I will not hesitate to follow orders and stick to the standards since they have more experience than me in this field.
The Use of Comfort Theory
In order to guide myself with the nursing practicum, I consider applying the principles of Comfort Theory by Kolcaba, Tilton, and Drouin (2006). This will be my trail on how different practicum activities will be done.
First, I will make sure that patients are highly welcomed and well-accommodated by providing a proper patient assistance. Next is to do some preliminary tests on the children, including temperature and eye check in order to make myself familiar with the activities and to make my superiors more focused on more complex operations. Then, an interview will be done to the parents in order to have a background with regards to the current condition of the children. After the treatment, I will make sure to ask the patients about their experience in order to have an idea of what needs to be improved. As a practicum student, it is also important to watch and observe my superior when a medication is being issued to the patient. This timeline is applicable in every patient and this cycle will repeat once a patient finishes the consultation and a new one comes. Also, this is based on Comfort Theory wherein patients must feel comfortable and satisfied on the outcome of their consultation (Kolcaba, Tilton, & Drouin, 2006).
References
Kolcaba, K., Tilton, C., & Drouin, C. (2006). Comfort Theory: A Unifying Framework to Enhance the Practice Environment. Journal of Nursing Administration, 36(11), 538-544.
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. (2014). NAPNAP Position Statement on Age Parameters for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Practice. Journal of Pedriatric Health Care, 28, 15A-16A.
