Julya Lopes

During my NICU placement, I gained skills in oxygen therapy and monitoring, medication administration, and specialised neonatal interventions. I've developed skills such as adaptability, nurture and compassion. I learnt the value of family-centred care and encouraged parent - child relationships at their most vulnerable times. I learnt the cruciality of being vigilant for family violence/child abuse, as well as what actions to take when necessary.

At Whitecross, I learnt a number of important skills in an acute setting: nursing triage, pain management, and focused assessments and interventions. I built strong communication skills in order to liaise with the healthcare team, providing personalised and efficient care. I learnt to be pragmatic in a fast paced environment with critically-ill patients.

In this placement I worked in the pre-op, during procedure, and post-op settings. I prepared and reassured patients prior to procedure; monitored patients vital signs during procedures; and monitored for adverse effects and discomfort post operatively. I learnt principles of setting up sterile and non sterile/clean environments, preparing equipment for specific procedures and the roles and responsibilities of nurses in the procedure room. Here I had the opportunity to act as scrub nurse, assisting the doctors in retrieving biopsies of polyps, and preparing these samples for the lab.

In my time at Mason Clinic, I was exposed to patients with a criminal history and severe psychiatric conditions, which I found eye opening. I developed skills to treat patients professionally in this environment, and not letting their background impact my standards of care.

In my placement here, several patients had dementia. I required a high level of patience and empathy, to not let my quality of care diminish with mental fatigue. I also became proficient in manual handling skills due to a large number of immobile patients. I learnt to recognise age-related health concerns and importance of Whānau Centred Care.

The Orthopaedic ward at NSH was my first placement. Here I was able to apply theory into practice for the first time. I learnt interprofessional communication skills, and therapeutic relationship skills with patients. Nursing cares, appropriate mobilization exercises and assistance, learnt how to apply the five rights before giving medications and was exposed to wounds and wound cares. My biggest accomplishment was watching my first surgery and creating my first professional relationships with patients of all different ages.