On January 25th, 2019, I had the pleasure of participating in a pediatric simulation with my clinical team. The simulation took place at Western Regional School of Nursing’s simulation lab. My clinical group, two nursing instructors, and I were all there for the occasion. Our clinical group was present since it was part of our pediatric clinical rotation.
The two nursing instructors were there to facilitate the simulation and provide guidance as needed. I was there as a student nurse, eager to learn and gain experience.
The simulation began with one of the instructors acting as a mother who was bringing her child, played by one of my classmates, to the hospital for an earache. The scenario quickly escalated when the child began to experience a seizure. The mother was frantic and the rest of my clinical group and I had to act quickly. We assessed the child, started an IV, and began administering oxygen. Once the child was stabilized, we had to figure out what was causing the seizures.
After some discussion and critical thinking, we determined that the child was likely experiencing seizures due to an ear infection. We contacted the on-call physician and explained our findings. The physician agreed with our assessment and ordered some antibiotics for the child. We then helped the mother to understand what was going on with her child and how to care for them at home.
This experience was a great opportunity for me to practice my nursing skills. It was also a chance to learn how to work as part of a team, think critically, and communicate effectively. I am grateful for the opportunity to have had this experience and I am looking forward to learning more in the future.
During the simulation, we were required to apply our expertise and apply critical thinking as if it were a real-life scenario. Our clinical group was divided into two smaller groups during the event, with each of us providing care and employing our abilities together. One of our nursing instructors guided us throughout the scenario, offering debriefing and clarification as needed.
After the simulation had ended, we met as a group to discuss our experience. We talked about what we had done well and what we could improve upon. It was a great learning experience, and I felt that I had really grown as a nurse after completing it.
Overall, I think that the simulation was a great way to learn more about nursing and to practice our skills. It was also helpful in terms of getting to know the other members of my clinical group better. I am looking forward to the rest of my clinical experiences and learning even more!
I was concerned that I might make a mistake during the exercise or forget something crucial. I anticipated that the simulation would be unpleasant. Knowing this was a learning experience, not one to point out flaws, made me more at ease throughout the event. The instructor who guided us through the scenario made me feel welcome and helped me grasp the significance of critical thinking and how to deal with an anaphylactic reaction.
After the simulation, I felt more confident in my skills and abilities as a nurse. This experience helped me realize that I am capable of performing nursing skills correctly and effectively. It also showed me the importance of critical thinking when providing care to patients. Overall, this was a positive learning experience that has helped me grow as a nurse.
The other members of my clinical team made me feel at ease as well; I knew that we were all there to collaborate as a team, and they were just as nervous. The event was beneficial in terms of what we’ve learned thus far, and it was a fantastic learning opportunity for our clinical group.
This event has definitely given me more confidence in my abilities as a nurse and I feel that I can take on more challenges now. I am also grateful to have had such a great group of people to work with; we were able to rely on each other and support each other through the entire process.
Overall, I am extremely happy with my first clinical experience. It was definitely a challenge, but it was also an amazing learning opportunity. I feel that I have grown as a nurse and as a critical thinker, and I am looking forward to the rest of my clinical experiences.
Hal was in pain and unable to walk. I brought him for care under the supervision of two nurses who were both experts in their own right. One nursing instructor guided us throughout the scenario, while the other cared for Hal as a mother would. The mom in the scenario emphasized how important it is for a child’s family members and the nurse to have good communication and mutual understanding.
She also helped us understand that it is important to listen to a child’s parents and take their input into consideration when providing care.
After the simulation, we debriefed and discussed our experience. We talked about how we felt and what we could have done differently. I learned that it is important to be aware of my own emotions and biases when caring for a patient. I also learned that it is important to be an active listener and to make sure that I understand what the family is saying. Overall, I found this experience to be very beneficial and it has helped me to better understand the role of a nurse.
During this exercise, I learned more about the effects and mechanisms of Epinephrine and Atropine, CPR documentation, and more about pediatric nursing care. During the scenario, I felt that I delivered effectively with my communication and skills. However, in addition to a health history and full physical examination, I believe that I could have aided in performing a better initial assessment on Hal.
I also could have been more assertive in asking for help from my colleagues when needed. Overall, I feel that this experience has helped me become a better nurse and critical thinker. I am looking forward to future opportunities to learn and grow in my clinical experiences.
