Introduction
Reflection is a vital element in the nursing practice as it aids nurses learn from their experiences. A clinical setting is emotionally volatile and medical practitioners must be attentive to their emotions and thoughts to prevent them from clouding their judgements (Sherwood et al., 2018). Thoughts, emotions, and environmental conditions influence one’s actions hence influencing patient safety. Driscoll model of reflection focuses on three elements of the experience learning cycle (All Answers, 2018). The learner must recount the experience, spell out its significance and how it will influence behavior change or improve future practice.
Experience
The first time I helped with scrubbing for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, I encountered some challenges. I worked with the scrub nurse in preparing the operating room and setting up the surgical equipment. During the surgery, I helped the scrub nurse in handing instruments as per the surgeon’s request. All was well until the operator accidentally interfered with the hepatic pedicle causing a bile duct injury. The atmosphere was suddenly tense though the surgeon remained calm all through. When one of the assistants asked me to pass a scalpel, I did not know the exact one and she threw a bloody gauze at my chest. I was shocked and had to remove the operating room to recollect myself, but I came back after the surgery to assist in prepping the patient for his ward.
Significance
I was more astounded by the assistant’s rudeness than the bloody gauze. I felt that the assistant looked down on me since I was a student and thought that I was inexperienced to be in that operating room. I was angry that the offender never apologized and felt disrespected. Later, I felt guilty that my emotions could have interfered with the operation procedure, causing the patient’s death, especially after learning that the assistant was going through a divorce. I felt that I did let my emotions overpower my senses and I had little regard for the patient’s well-being. Growing up in a household where I was often looked down upon made me vocal in standing up to myself and I react quickly when confronted with a negative impulse. The scrub nurse empathized with my predicament and told me that such events were not uncommon when a case escalates to a life and death situation.
Lessons and Behavior Change
The experience taught me that I had to work harder in learning how to control my emotions, especially on duty. Additionally, an individual’s actions could be due to other intrinsic factors such as stress (Sinskey et al., 2019). I would not have prevented the assistant from throwing the gauze, but I could have remained in the theatre till the end of the operation. If a similar incident were to recur, I would separate myself from the conflict and focus on the task at hand. Reading materials on controlling emotions and finding out the experiences of other students and scrub nurses during surgeries is essential in enhancing resilience and self-control (Sinskey et al, 2019). Additionally, I will champion for the provision of psychosocial support services to health providers to help them cope with traumatic experiences like divorce and loss which affect their work performance (Sinskey et al., 2019). My problem was that I allowed extrinsic factors to affect my decisions and actions. Currently, my focus is on patient wellness and safety with minimal attention to external influence.
Conclusion
Reflection helps nurses sort their negative feelings, enhancing their ability to make rational decisions in practice. The surgical assistant’s discourtesy clouded my thinking and affected my productivity. My rash decision could have disrupted the surgical process, causing the patient’s death. I should take time to process my emotions rather than reacting without consideration of the implication of my actions. Sharing experiences with other students and seeking guidance from clinical practitioners will help me prepare for future encounters.
Reference List
All Answers, 2018. Driscoll’s model of Reflection.NursingAnswers.net.
Sherwood, G. et al., 2018. Reflective practices: Meaningful recognition for healthy work environments. Nursing Management, 24(10), pp.30–34.
Sinskey, J.L. et al., 2019. Applying conflict management strategies to the Paediatric Operating Room. Anesthesia & Analgesia, 129(4), pp.1109–1117.