Reflective Assignment

Answer

Reflective Assignment

Since critical thinking is one of the essential attributes and qualities of a nurse practitioner, engagement in reflective thinking is vital in supporting the development of critical thinking. Notably, according to Standard 1 of the Australian Registered Nurse Standards for Practice, nurses are required to not only think critically, but also analyze incidents in their practice (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), 2016). This Standard further adds that nurse should develop their practice through a reflection on their actions, experiences, as well as knowledge and beliefs (NMBA, 2016). One of the models designed to facilitate the ability of nurses to reflect in practice is the Gibbs Reflective Cycle (Smith & Roberts, 2015). This paper provides a reflection on one of the incidents experienced in clinical practice using the Cycle.       

Description

            One of the incidents that I encountered in clinical practice involves a patient of Mexican origin who could not communicate in English. As such, I struggled to understand what was ailing her because she could not express herself in a language that I could understand, which led to a breakdown in communication. However, I used an interpreter who ensured that we could communicate. Additionally, I deployed nonverbal communication skills.

Feelings

            My feelings at first were that I could not provide quality care to the patient because of the issue of language barrier that was impeding communication between us. Additionally, my peers felt that a misdiagnosis could arise become of the breakdown in communication. Some of the values and beliefs that connected to my emotions and feelings in this case are human dignity and the provision of quality care.

Values and Beliefs

            The values of protection of human dignity as well as provision of quality care arise from not only my upbringing, but also the nursing principles and Code of Ethics for Nurses. In specific, I was always brought up believing that all people should be treated with dignity irrespective of their race or place of origin. Additionally, in university I have learned that human dignity is one of the core values of nursing.

Analysis

            From the breakdown in communication as well as the use of an interpreter to ensure effective communication, various meanings can be made out of the situation. One of these is the importance of communication in nursing practice in interacting and engaging with the patients. Additionally, I made sense of Standard 2, which mandates nurses to communicate respectfully and in respect of a person’s dignity (NMBA, 2016). I can also connect with the integration of interpersonal communication theory in ensuring effectuate healthcare delivery.

Conclusions Drawn

One of the conclusions that can be drawn from this incidence is that effective communication is importance for nurses as ineffective communication can have negative impacts on the patients. Additionally, I can draw the conclusion that non-verbal communication skills are vital for nurses in handling patients who are unable to communicate verbally. Moreover, I can confidently say that the incidence made me conclude that without learning about different ways of communicating, it is impossible to provide quality care.

Action Plan

            If a similar situation arises in the future, I would first seek to understand the language being used by the patient and then find an interpreter who has adequate knowledge about the language. Additionally, I would also be more armed with non-verbal communication skills to ensure that I can arrest any emergency that could arise before I can find an interpreter. The theory that supports my approach is effective communication theory that hold that any communication can be held to be effective if it leads to the desired outcomes after information shared is conveyed and received efficiently without any distortion or changes (Smith & Roberts, 2015).