Kayla Kalpus

I have recently completed my NET-P year in an acute surgical area and I am now ready to pursue my passion in general medicine nursing. I have extensive cardiac knowledge, great prioritisation and time management skills and am looking forward to applying this knowledge to further practice. Experience with a wider range of medical conditions will keep me motivated and interested in the nursing profession. I chose to become a nurse because the role enables me to make a difference in peoples lives when they are unwell, it is rewarding helping others find their unique potential. I am naturally empathetic and compassionate towards others and am committed in making my environment a place of healing. I love anatomy and physiology and knowing how things work in the human body, but also enjoy the holistic aspect of caring for patients. I enjoy working in the fast paced, acute medical area where I can build on nursing skills and enjoy being part of and communicating with a committed and positive team environment. I strive to make patients experiences memorable, uplifting, and enjoy providing high standard nursing care.

July – August 2019: The Oaks Care Centre and Village – Clinical experience in aged care and nursing the person with long term health needs.

Main focus: Caring for elderly patients in an aged care home environment with long term health needs. Exposure to the nursing environment and one on one nursing care to an allocated resident. Undertaking a comprehensive nursing assessment and observing the role of the registered nurse.

Accomplishment: During my placement I was allocated to a resident who needed full assistance with activities of daily living. This placement enabled me to explore the importance of the one on one nursing care and developing therapeutic relationships where a bond was formed. I became familiar with assessing the patients mobility and with the use of mobility devices such as the full hoist and the Sara steady. I was able to gain experience on hygiene cares and maintaining patient dignity.

May – July 2020: Hillmorton Hospital AOD DEU - Clinical experience in a mental health facility for people with alcohol and drug addictions.

Main focus: Caring for patients experiencing alcohol and/or drug withdrawal in a detox facility. Helping patients get through the detoxification stages of their drug or alcohol addiction and encouraging abstinence of use with nursing skills and working with the MDT team.

Accomplishment: Exposure to a wide range of mental health impairments and nursing people going through the withdrawal stage of substance abuse. Nursing people with co-morbidities and addiction. Supporting people in the battle of their addictions and encouraging them be the best versions of themselves. Became familiar with the AWS and the use of benzodiazepine's and other pharmacological interventions. Awareness of the ongoing battle of addiction after the stages of withdrawal pass.

March – June 2021: Christchurch Hospital – Ward 23 General Medical Ward – Clinical experience in acute hospital setting

Main focus: Exposure to the acute hospital ward setting and nursing the person with altered physical health. This ward is a medical ward specialising in rheumatoid arthritis and general medicine.

Accomplishment: Valuable experience in a challenging acute general medical setting. Exposure to caring for patients with a wide range of medical conditions and a range of ages. Began practicing time management and prioritisation and developing my communication skills. Worked and felt like part of the team and liaised with different members of the MDT. Also experienced patient death. This placement highlighted the importance of the holistic model of caring for patients.

September – November 2021: Christchurch Hospital – Dialysis Centre specialty area – Clinical experience in primary health care

Main focus: Nursing people needing dialysis and people currently undergoing dialysis in the community and in the hospital.

Accomplishment: "Kayla is very enthusiastic and energetic- open to all learning opportunities. Excellent mature manner with patients- shows a lot of respect, friendly and interested in people. A joy to have in nephrology service. We wish her well. Kayla has a fulfilling career in nursing ahead of her" (Clinical Liaison Nurse).

March – Current 2022: Christchurch Hospital – Ward 12 – Cardiology Specialty/Medical Ward

Main focus: Assessing and treating people with a wide range of cardiac conditions.

Accomplishment: I love being able to help and educate patients on their cardiac conditions. In this ward it feels like you are saving lives. It feels like an accomplishment when you feel you can help people, and once I got the hang of the way the system works, it has been really rewarding. Being able to treat and educate patients, seeing them recover and then discharging them in a short amount of time is really nice.