Arina Khramenko

This placement has exposed me to acute specialised nursing. Providing care for patients with low levels of consciousness and high speciality needs such as subdural haemorrhages, subarachnoid haemorrhages and tumours. I have observed the use of special equipment such as external ventricular drains. Post operation and pre operation cares for elective and acute surgeries. I have been able to have my own load of patients and provide them with planned nursing care. I am actively practising to advocate for patients and participate in adequate patients education. Have gained exposure to new skills such as the processes required in nasogastric feeding.

My mental health placement helped me develop my knowledge on the prevalence of mental health in the community. Working along side my nurse and other health care professionals I learnt the importance of personalised patient care that was specific for their mental health needs. Mental state exams were a key component of my placement that became a part of my assessment skills. I became familiar with mental health medication and their risks and side effects.

At this placement I worked in a long term care setting with patients who have a chronic condition. I was able to assess patients to create a plan to deliver care that was optimum for their needs. It was required to become familiar and confident with using the dialysis machines. I continued my development of delivering patient education that was adequate for their health literacy needs.

At this placement I was able to be exposed to working in a ward and emergency department setting. Working on the ward allowed me to learn safe medication dispensing and administration along side my nurse. I developed my understanding of the importance of time management while being flexible to accompany patients needs and acuity changes. The emergency department allowed me to see the process of nursing care in an environment that was busy, unpredictable and required good team work.

Due to COVID I resumed my placement at a residential home. At this placement I was able to learn how to mobilise patients safely as well as how to perform cares such as bed washes, showers and transfers. I was also able to gain confidence in building therapeutic relationships as this placement enabled me to spend a lot of one on one time with the same residents consistently. This allowed me to be able assess patients for any improvements or deficits.

Worked along side nurses to gain exposure to basic observations and medication administration. Learnt the importance of efficient team work in nursing setting to provide optimum care. I was able to begin my understanding of the foundation required for patient education.