Nursing

Running Head: CLINICAL JOURNAL

281 Clinical Journal Three

Pamela Mills IPPNS

Indiana University/Purdue University Fort Wayne

Clinical Journal Days 6 - 7

April 18, 29, 2009

May 1, 2009

Preceptor Susan K. Funk, RN

Medical/Surgical

Parkview Hospital Huntington

My goals were more of a continuation of: 1. Using good time management skills.

2. Prioritizing tasks continually throughout the day.

3. To perform care to my patients 100% with a very well organized End of Shift Report.

Mind Map.

My sixth day was not as eventful as my seventh! However I practiced excellent patient care and cared for my patients 95% on my own. I felt that my charting was a bit confusing for that particular day because of changing patient status from poor to good. Lung sounds changed throughout the day with breathing treatments and then exacerbations of COPD. It was an excellent learning experience to hear wheezes, crackles, coarseness and diminished breath sounds and to record them. End of shift report went well as I gave everything needed to the nurse coming on duty.

My seventh and last day held several skills that were excellent. I was able to attempt to insert my first Foley catheter for my patient. Keeping a sterile field was met however there were other complications. This older patient could not move her hips well, was overweight, nauseated and presented a challenge to not only me but my instructor. My preceptor however prevailed and inserted the catheter. She also stated that this was a very difficult insertion to learn with because of the above complications, but also a very good experience because of them too.

Then later that morning the consulting physician for this same patient ordered a nasogastric tube to be put in place. When this physician discovered that my preceptor had a student he volunteered to instruct me as he inserted this NG tube into my patient. My preceptor later informed me that this physician loves to teach and...