Nursing

Reflect on the three most challenging patients. What was most challenging for each?
What did you learn from this experience?
What resources did you have available?
What evidence-based practice did you use for this patient?
What new skills are you learning?
What would you do differently?
How are you managing patient flow and volume?

ANSWER

Nursing Experience

Nurses often encounter a set of challenges handling patients in hospitals and other care centers. Patients at times might pose a significant limitation for the nurses to deliver effective care and attention. Handling resistant, somatic, and manipulative patients is a hectic and challenging task for nursing professionals. However, they must always remain committed to delivering quality care irrespective of the circumstances they encounter.

Three most challenging patients

One of the patients that I handed was resistant and had just realized that she suffered from a long-term illness. She was angry and at the same time frightened. It was challenging to offer the right assistance because she had an altered breath and, at the same time, clenched fists. I calmed her down by empathizing with her to create a viable environment for the care process. Another challenging patient suffered from depression. I had a rough time engaging the patient as they did not speak out to understand them better. Whenever I tried to engage him, he would avoid eye contact. Lastly, I dealt with a patient who portrayed manipulative tactics. She often kept saying that she would disconnect the systems if we failed to let her go. I tried to inform her that she was weak and needed ample rest to allow the medicine to work. I urged her to observe patience and that we would release her soon enough when she was well. She would constantly use threatening statements.

Learning Experience

Dealing with these patients taught me about empathy and patience in care delivery. Patients will portray diverse characteristics that vary in line with their personality and medical conditions. Nurses have a responsibility to create a conducive healing environment. One of the key elements that fulfil this need is empathy. Nurses must understand the needs and experiences of the patients for effective service delivery. As Savieto and Leao (2016) highlight, empathy helps build a trusting relationship between the patient and healthcare professional. Verbal and non-verbal expressions facilitate a better understanding. Thus, I learned that empathy is a critical approach when handling challenging patients. The other vital insight is observing patience when communicating and interacting with the patients. Effective patient and physician relations enhance treatment outcomes (Kristianssonn et al., 2011). Patience is one of the traits that help to create a quality relationship.

Available Resources

I used automated IV pumps, portable monitors, and electronic health records to manage the patients. The automated pumps helped me to ensure patient stability through monitoring their dosages and trips. Also, portable monitors allowed me to track the patient’s status all the time in any location. Lastly, I relied on electronic health records to understand the patients’ conditions for adequate care and delivery services.

Evidence-based Practice Usage

Infection control is a crucial evidence-based practice that I adopted when dealing with these patients. As a nursing professional, one has a role and mandate to ensure patients have a safe environment when in the hospital. I ensured that the environment was clean, wore personal protective clothing, and practiced effective hand washing. Prevention of infections in hospitals is a key requirement that all healthcare professionals must observe (Loveday, 2019). Observing laid down guidelines enables nurses to prevent the emergence of infections.

New Skills Acquired

The experience I had with the three patients allowed me to learn about self-awareness, attention to detail and caring. I realized that I need to know myself first to adopt quality tactics of handling and managing patients. Also, personal care and that of others will enable me to develop compassion and provide excellent care. Lastly, being attentive to details is a key trait that I learned from this experience.

Different Reactions

When faced with similar or even further challenging situations, I will always seek the assistance of my co-workers or other healthcare providers directly concerned with the case at hand. For instance, if I am attending a mentally-ill person, I will seek a psychologist or psychiatrist’s attention.

Managing Patient Flow and Volume

Increased patient flow and volume is a situation that nurses encounter in hospitals and care centers. I always manage this through effective communications and prompt handling of patient issues. For example, immediately patients arrive, I recommend them to the appropriate department. Notably, swift communications help to manage a huge patient flow and volume.

References

Kristiansson, M. H., Brorsson, A., Wachtler, C., & Troein, M. (2011). Pain, power and patience-A narrative study of general practitioners’ relations with chronic pain patients. BMC family practice, 12(1), 1-8.

Loveday, H. P. (2019). The evidence for infection prevention and control: problems of design and implementation. JBI Evidence Implementation, 17, S24-S25.

Savieto, R. M., & Leão, E. R. (2016). Nursing Assistance and Jean Watson: A reflection on empathy. Escola Anna Nery, 20(1), 198-202.