Final Analysis

As I reflect on my journey here at Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing I am able to

recognize tremendous personal and clinical growth. I can recall visiting the college and listening
to one of the Instructors go over the core values of Bon Secours one by one. I remember saying
to myself I could really fit in here. I went home that day and began gathering all my required
information and began the application process. I was so excited when I received my email letter
of acceptance. At orientation I remember feeling very excited but by the end slightly
overwhelmed at the new, and rigorous requirements that had been laid out for me. I second
guessed myself just for a moment reflecting on the fact that I was a wife, and mother of four
children. In that moment I asked myself; could I really do this? I quickly answered absolutely!
This final analysis will detail my personal, professional, and clinical growth over the past three
years at Bon Secours.
My clinical nursing journey began in NUR 2103. This is where I learned my foundation
in basic care. I learned proper hand hygiene, standard precautions, client hygiene, and other basic
principles of daily patient care. Now completing my final immersion hours I am able to see how
these basic principles influence the type of care I give. These basic principles continue to be a
vital part of my every day practice. Not only do I know proper hand hygiene, and standard
precautions, I now also know the importance of practicing these skills daily. I recognize not
practicing these skills can lead to poor patient outcomes such as communicable illnesses, and
pressure sores to name a few. Today I apply these principles of patient care without thought and
part of my regular routine. Another moment I reflect on from NUR 2103 are the unforgettable
moments of getting blood pressure readings from faculty and friends. I can recall being unsure
of myself and my manual readings. I went home several nights practicing on everyone in my
family. I was so eager to pass my clinical pressure reading test with Mrs. Thomas-Wright. After
mastering a skill that was slightly intimidating I moved on to being able to apply those readings
in ANS 1. I learned the meaning of hypotension, and hypertension, and various illnesses related
to blood pressure and other comorbidities. I learned in patho-pharmacology the medications
used to treat both such such as fludrocortisone, Lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide. As a student
in clinical immersion I am able to put all these pieces together; take pressure readings, think
critically, recommend courses of action and treat the patient. One moment of personal growth
that has stuck with me is my first time on the Oncology unit in ANS 2. I got off the elevator and
began to walk onto the unit, and I became overwhelmed with grief and sadness. I loss my father
to cancer, and in a moment all of that emotion crippled me. I pulled my instructor Mrs. Allison to
the side and asked her to give me a moment to gather myself. I took about five minutes, and I
quietly talked to my father said a prayer and walked onto the unit and began my day. I have
learned to do self-inventory and be aware of any feelings that I may have when providing care. I
have also learned to use my life experiences to help relate to my patients and their families. I
believe this provides me with a unique perspective in care and has increased the skill set I am
able to offer patients and their families. These are just a few examples that display my
professional and clinical growth over the past three years.
 While I have experienced growth over the past three years, there are still areas of future
growth needed as I enter the professional world of nursing. As a practicing nurse I have learned
that educational, and clinical education should be continuous. In order for me to be the most
effective, caring nurse I can be over the course of my career I must always continue to have a
desire to learn and grow. As a new nurse some areas I can grow in is my level of comfort in
being part of the disciplinary team and contributing to the care and diagnosis of how to treat a
patient. Collaborating with doctors, pharmacist, and nurse practitioners takes clinical experience,
knowing the actions and adverse effects of various drugs. Another area of growth is being able to
quickly and thoroughly assess each patient within the first hour of my shift. I have learned in
immersion how important a quick and thorough assessment is. As a professional nurse I want to
be able to pick up on any changes in my patient status and be able to communicate that in an
effective manner to physicians. In addition as a nurse entering the profession it will be important
for me to build relationships with experienced nurses, open to feedback, and comfortable in
asking questions. I am a firm believer that while experience is an awesome teacher I can learn a
great deal from the experience of others. These are just a few of the ways I plan to grow as a new
nurse. My goal is to be an innovative, and resourceful nurse that will impact the healthcare field.
I am confident my education at Bon Secours College of Nursing and my desire to learn and grow
have equipped me with the tools needed to accomplish my professional goals.