This semester I completed my first hospital based clinical rotation. Looking back, I grew and learned a ton through this experience. I was put in a lot of situations in clinical where I did not know how to respond. A lot of the times my patients would say something to me and it would leave me feeling awkward and not knowing what to say. However, as clinical progressed and I learned more through my communication class, I could see how I improved in my communication skills. Reflecting back on the first time I had to go into my patient’s room, I was so nervous and anxious, and this was manifested in my communication. I would stumble over my words, and even my nonverbal communication showed that I was nervous. Week to week I saw myself becoming more comfortable engaging in my conversations with patients. I learned to utilize silence in my practice this semester as well. At first, as I was completing head to toe assessments, taking vitals, or doing other things I always thought that I needed to fill the silence with words. However, as the semester progressed I realized this was not the case. I learned that each patient is different and how to be flexible in my practice. After first entering the room, I could understand what patients wanted to engage in conversation and how some needed silence. I never understood how silence could be therapeutic, but after experience and learning this semester my thoughts have changed. Mindfulness techniques were also something that I learned that will stick with me in my nursing practice. I could realize as I was walking onto my unit or before I entered my patients room that I was nervous and breathing really fast. Taking a few seconds just to engage in deep-breathing or just listen to the sounds around me, could change my mood and attitude for the rest of the day. Especially this semester, I struggled a lot with controlling my nonverbal communication techniques. I had to wake up so early for clinical and I was introduced to so many new things I have never done before. I was taught to assess my patients’ pain, it is very important to pay attention to their non verbals, but I never really thought about what my nonverbals could tell a patient. My nonverbals showed my patient that I was not confident and that I was nervous. When a patient sees that their caregiver is not confident, it doesn’t exactly instill confidence into them either. I learned to ask questions when I did not know what I was doing, but also to be confident in my ability and skills.
After identifying a few places where I realized I needed to grow, I think it is also very important to assess a few areas where I still hope to grow. One of these areas is my tone of voice, this is because I am a very soft spoken and quiet person at times. When I would engage in conversations with my patients, I would sometimes have to restate my questions to my patients because I did not say them loud enough. Another area I would like to grow in is my comfortability in assuming the role of the nurse. I still found myself nervous to go to clinical and doubting my ability to be a nurse. I hope next autumn semester will be a lot more growth and improvement in my practice.