1NUR 1314 FUNDAMENTAL NURSING PRACTICE: REFLECTION

KULLIYYAH OF NURSING

FUNDAMENTAL NURSING PRACTICE

NUR 1314

REFLECTION

NAME: NURUL NATRAH BINTI KHAIRUANUAR

MATRIC NO: 1118262

SUBMITTED BY: 15 AUGUST 2012

2NUR 1314 FUNDAMENTAL NURSING PRACTICE: REFLECTION

REFLECTION

This essay will discuss the procedure in which I will be reflecting upon; Last offices. I chose this due to how constructive and valuable it was for my personal and professional development as a nursing student. I will use a reflective model to discuss my nurse clinical practical period in Mawar 7C: Medical Female Ward at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur. The reflective model I have chosen to use is Gibbs model (Gibbs, 1988). Gibbs model of reflection incorporates the following: description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion and an action plan (Gibbs, 1988).

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT

On a hot sunny afternoon of 25th July 2012, approximately at 12.15pm, the ward was alarmed by the sound of dynamite’s siren coming from the acute cubicle. Then, I saw one of the staff nurses in-charge of the acute cubicle of the ward was in a hurry to call a few houseman officers which presents in the ward while the other one called a medical officer on-duty that day by through the phone to come and see an old female patient whose conditions suddenly went into critical mode. The patient’s relative was panicked and worried for their relative is in critical situation but give space for the medical team to try and save the patient. After a few minutes trying their best to save the patient’s life by doing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the death the patient was confirmed by the medical team. The medical officer told deceased’s relatives the bad news. The daughter of the deceased cried loudly as if she could not believe her only mother had died that moment and lost control. Her other relatives tried to calmed her down. Then, staff nurse asked me to assist her in doing the Last Office procedure as I was standing nearby. The first thing the staff nurse and I did was adhere to infection control through washing hands, wearing apron, mask and applying gloves (RCN, 2005). We approached the deceased through the side of the curtain instead of the front with the aim to protect the patient’s confidentiality and dignity. Due to my inexperience, I decided to observe the initial procedures in order to learn from those observations. Throughout the procedure, the staff nurse was communicating to the deceased. I then decided to assist with the washing and dressing of the deceased. After we have finished sponging, we re-dress any wounds and secure them with tape. While we were dressing the deceased, I noticed that staff nurse attached the identifying label on the chest and folded the shroud as well as wrapped the body and tied at the head, chest, abdomen, thigh and feet. Lastly, the deceased was covered with blanket.

THOUGHTS DURING EVENT

Initially, when I was asked to assist the staff nurse to do the Last Office procedure, I was nervous as it is my first time experiencing this type of situation and it was beyond my reach as I have never ever done this type of procedure before in the previous wards I have been posted to. However, with the guidance and instructions of staff nurse on what to prepare, step by steps sequence of the procedure and the rationale behind each steps increases my level of

3NUR 1314 FUNDAMENTAL NURSING PRACTICE: REFLECTION

understanding about the procedure and build up my confidence level in assisting the staff nurse on performing last offices procedures. Throughout the experience, I felt calmer even though it was a sad occasion. When I felt ready to get involved and help, I felt proud that I was able to offer my part.

THOUGHTS AFTER EVENT

I was wondering on why the staff nurse still communicated to the deceased throughout the procedure which I later learnt that it was to keep up the standard care given when the patient was still alive. I was slightly worried that I was not as sad as I expected to be. I was contemplating whether it is good thing or not. Later, when I shared my problems with my Clinical Instructor, she said that being in professional setting can make me feel that way, as we are carrying out duty. What I think went well is that I was able to identify my own abilities and how I felt. However, I do feel inadequate as I was unprepared and could have done more if I had the knowledge beforehand of the procedure. One of the major things I feel I have learnt is the importance of how the patient is still in a nurse’s care beyond living and the legal issues surrounding death and the nurses’ role in this part.

RECOMMENDATION TO SELF

Looking back, I feel like I should have understood the patient’s history and reason of death better to understand why certain actions were taken. On top of this, I should have helped the deceased’s daughter who’s in grief state of denial to calm down holistically as Islam view death as a part of Qada’ and Qadar and Muslims should accept death as it is Allah’s Will. I should also show my empathy, care and support towards the deceased’s family. Within my action plan, I aimed to research further into the last offices procedure, and focus on the religious and cultural differences which nurses should be aware of through reading. In the future, if this situation arises, I will also take more of an active role.

4NUR 1314 FUNDAMENTAL NURSING PRACTICE: REFLECTION

REFERENCES

Gibbs, G. (1988). Learning by Doing: A Guide to Teaching and Learning Methods. London:

Great Brittain, Further Education Unit.

Potter, P. A., & Perry, A. G. (2009). Fundamental of Nursing. Canada: Mosby Elsevier.

RCN. (2005). Good Practice in Infection Prevention and Control: Guidance for Nursing Staff.

London: RCN

5NUR 1314 FUNDAMENTAL NURSING PRACTICE: REFLECTION