CNA346- Transition to Professional Practice – Nursing Assignment There are several challenges facing

CNA346- Transition to Professional Practice – Nursing Assignment

There are several challenges facing the graduate nurse like myself as I make the transition from the university environment to clinical practice. Medication management has been identified as one of the key areas requiring further development as it is a crucial aspect of quality nursing care and clinical governance (Randolph 2013, Edwards & Axe 2015). Although medication management incorporates a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care involving the selection, collection, delivery and prescription of medications, nurses are in the prime position to ensure the safety of patients when it comes to medication administration and monitoring of effects requiring knowledge and clinical reasoning skills (Jordan & Kyriacos 2014; Wright 2015). Despite this important role, medication errors commonly exist and novice nurses are associated with a higher risk for errors when compared to experienced Registered Nurses (RNs) (Berklow & Virkstis, cited in Saintsing, Gibson & Pennington 2011, p. 355). The allocation of higher workloads compared to student placements, stress, inexperience and limited clinical reasoning skills have been identified as possible causes of medication errors in novice nurses (Saintsing, Gibson & Pennington 2011). Medication errors account for the second most reported incident occurring in Australian hospitals and are associated with significant morbidity, mortality and economic implications (James, cited in Sahay, Hutchinson & East 2015, p. e21). I have selected medication management as the focus of this essay as I have found this to be a weakness in my clinical practice while participating in several practical experience placements. The two key areas that I have had difficulty with are the interpretation of the National Inpatient Medication Chart (NIMC) and the preparation of intravenous (IV) medications. On reflection, I can attribute my medication-related issues to a noticeable gap between the limited practical opportunities provided in the classroom and the clinical environment, familiarity with clinical resources including IV pumps,

Question:

Write an essay that identifies and analyses strategies to assist your own development as a reflective practitioner