This essay is compose of four domains. The four domains I will be reflecting on are professional and ethical practices, care delivery, care management and personal/professional development.

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                 Cohort: January 04 

Branch: Mental Health                 Module: 3

Introduction

This essay is compose of four domains. The four domains I will be reflecting on are professional and ethical practices, care delivery, care management and personal/professional development. I will also demonstrate my achievement of learning I gained during my six weeks clinical placement in the Acute Mental Ward.  I will demonstrate the relationship between practice and the competencies observed whilst in the ward and relate this to theory such as the importance of communication, dignity, respect and safety and how this affects patient care. (Nicol et al 2004).

Definition

Dewey (1933) defined reflection as the process of internally examining and exploring an issue of concern, triggered by an experience which creates and clarifies meaning in terms of self, and which results in a changed conceptual perspective. (Burnard Philip.1995). Reflection is described as noticing or becoming aware of what you are doing, as you are doing it. Reflection can also be seen as the idea of learning through experience. Burnard (1995) referred to reflection as a process which involves the practitioner being aware of his or her own psychological, cognitive and behavioral state.

Jarvis (1991) mentioned that reflective practice is an essential part of nursing as a professional activity.  He also point out that although nursing tends to be a highly structured and ritualized activity, mentors and supervisors can help neophyte nurses develop reflective skills.  He also suggests that reflective practice can help nurses grow both professionally and personally.

In nursing, reflection try to identify the true value and meaning of our actions in order to qualify,  enhance or discard them and to enable us to replicate them appropriately to their best effect in future interactions.  Each situation reflected on must be treated as a unique event if the maximum learning is to be gained. Hogston and Simpson (2002).

The first day of my six week placement, I was introduced to the acute ward by my mentor. She showed me the emergency cardiac arrest and rapid response phone numbers. I was shown the fire exits and was told what to do in case of fire.   I followed registered nurses around and participated in caring for the patients.  A patient was allocated to me to care for, my mentor and other team member supervised me to ensure that adequate care was given to the patient.  I have the opportunity to learning advantages and experience in sharing with others. The knowledge gained in my placement has given me experience to improve on my skills and standard of care.


PROFESSIONAL/ETHICAL PRACTICE

Professional practice is define as the knowledge that people have their professional qualifications or evidence of belonging to a professional body or organisation that license or registers them to practise. The skills that they exhibit in their practice, their conduct, for example, the way in which they dress, their manner how they treat one, the respect they show and the confidence they have in their ability to help.  (Hogston and Simpson 2002).

The Code of Conduct states that, as a registered nurse or midwife, one must protect and support the health of individual patients and clients and the health of the wider community. To act in such a way that justifies the trust and         confidence the public have in them and to uphold and enhance the good reputation of the professions. (NMC (2002).  Example, a nurse must not do anything to destroy the trust of the public in the NHS.

The duty of a nurse is to promotes, advocates and mak e every effort to protect the health, safety, and rights of the patient receiving care. Individual nurse is responsible and accountable for their practice. It is the duty of the nurse to be responsible for professional relationships, practice compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, value and uniqueness of every individual client, unrestricted by considerations of social or economic status, personal attributes, or the nature of health problems. Kenworthy et al (2003).

Professional practice involves abiding by regulations that have been established to avoid misconduct and unprofessional practice. This conduct states that a nurse must act in a manner that will maintain the good reputation of the profession, that a nurse is accountable for their individual actions and omissions (NMC 2002). The (NMC 2002) states that a nurse must practice in accordance with an ethical and legal framework which ensures the primacy of patient interest and well being and to respects patient’s confidentiality. Throughout the placement, patient’s confidentiality, dignity, privacy, and wishes were respected by staff as well as the student. For example patient’s autonomy was respected. Patients were informed that I was a student and I asked for their consent before any procedure took place.  I acted according to the code of practice which informs the general public of the level of professional conduct that they can expect from us (students) when we become registered nurses (NMC 2002). 

The NMC Code of Professional Conduct (2002), place responsibility on registered nurses to act always in the best interests of their patients or client and respect information as confidentiality. The individuals are responsible for their safety to safeguard themselves and it is the employer’s duty to take all reasonable steps to provide an environment in which staff can work safely. Hinchliff et al (2003).

Ethical practice is concerned with using our knowledge to decide whether our personal judgments will interfere with the care we will deliver. Although each one of us has our ethical beliefs, as a nurse, we must provide care equally and non-judgmentally to all the patients we come across. Our prime responsibility is to respect confidentiality and the care and well being of our patients regardless of the race, culture or religion, Hogston and Simpson (2002).

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Hinchliff et al (2003) state that conscience should not be used as an abdication of professional responsibility to give care to individual patients or groups whose lifestyle, personal habits or diagnosis are offensive to the practitioner.  Nurses are to provide appropriate treatment and support in emergency situation, ethical refer to values, beliefs, human right, justice, confidentiality and personal viewpoints and respect patients. Nurses must provide caring qualities, being non-judgemental and not discriminating, accepting of patient, empathy and having therapeutically close relationship with patient. (Hogston and Simpson, 2002). 

Discrimination refers to activities which serve to disqualify the members of one grouping ...

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