Introduction

As a nursing intern for the tenure of 6 weeks, I have learned different techniques and was exposed to enigmatic professional development. This has helped to understand the nursing procedures in the years to come.

Infection Control Practices

It was the first time in my nursing practice where I have come across various procedures that are required in infection control practices. There are multiple protocols mentioned in the NQHS to prevent infection through unsafe measures. I have learned about Hand hygiene, uses of the PPE, needle-stick and sharp object injury prevention, cleaners and disinfectants, hygiene-related to respiratory systems, disposal of, and injection exercises during this time. ("Infection Control and Prevention - Standard Precautions", 2020) There was a particular case of Mr Simons, who was 96 years and had received a severe fall injury. In this specific case, I have experienced my detailed knowledge to deal with the wound washing, dressing of the wound, and also should not talk while dressing the wounds. There are also angles of hand raise and tincture angle to the application of medicine. I was not doing these correctly were one of the RN helped me rectify, and I was scared with the procedure as I find I do not want Mr Simmons to get infected. This experience has given me a practical sense of treating wounds and taking care of elderly patients. I had to keep track of the records and medications provided to the patients, and this is as per the Standard of care and NQHS rules and regulations. (NQHS, 2020) The patients and the nurses should be equivocal to understand what is wrong with the patients. I have also realised that all the patients are to be given personhood care and they should be duly notified about the bells and the medications. I had mixed feelings as this was my first time dealing with the patients, and this has been a straightforward experience. I have realised that to deal with aged patients, they should be cautious, patient and should have enough courage to deal with the situation. There are certain things that I could have done differently and tackled the problem in a multidisciplinary approach. Specific actions ought to be taken in the future such as learning of the wound dressing and looking into each patient differently as all the patients have their demands and needs. ("Control and Prevent the Spread of Germs", 2020)

Medication Administration Practices

As a nurse intern, I have learnt all the protocols that are given by NQHS and other medical boards of Australia. I remember a day. Mrs Davis, there was faulty treatment done towards her. The nurse supervisor attending her did not write down the medications that were administered to her. The next day I was attending her, and she complained that to me. I am a person who is diligent towards my patients, so I informed the supervising doctor. He took steps to rectify the nurse supervisor, who was then warned. From these medication practices, I had learned how Australian  Nurses and Midwifery rules were strict in informing their doctor and nurses about the care and medication given to the patients, how each step regarding medication is to be written down in the patient's booklet. Every time while visiting the patient, all the vital stats are to be checked appropriately. This helped me analyse all the standards of care provided by Australian medical boards, and I got to know about medications that are required for the same kind of diseases. (Safety and quality of medication administration, 2020) I learned essential protocols from the medication administration practices that one medicine might work in the morning and evening. The dose of the medication was increased to stabilise the patients. It is essential to regulate the patient merely to check on their progress and details about how they might function in the next moment. ("Control and Prevent the Spread of Germs", 2020) From next time my action plan should be while administering medication-write down the medication that is to be given, check the vital stats of the patient, and acknowledge the doctor or nurse in chief if there is any problem with the patient. For medication, it is always wise to ask the patient or their family if the patients show any allergic reaction to specific protocols of drugs such as H drugs. ("Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia - Fact sheet: Enrolled nurses and medicine administration", 2020)

Communication With the Multidisciplinary team members, clients, agents, and family members

I remember some days in nursing practice seemed almost ideal, and some days seemed very restless. I remember a case that was brought in the emergency department where a young man of 25 years had met with an accident, and his ribs were broken, and one of the ribs had punctured his lungs. Though he was responding to the CPR, his heart was undergoing tachycardia. (NQHS, 2020) This was the time I have witnessed that all the pulmonary and cardiac departments, along with the orthopaedic department worked together with medication and surgical procedures to save the patient. My duty, in this case, was to provide the patient with external ventilation so that his lungs were functional and the cardiac doctors were able to stabilise his heartbeat. ("Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia - Professional standards", 2020) I had a day that was full of panic, but I learned how to deal with emergencies and tackle patient conditions along with a multidisciplinary team. (Nursing, 2020)

Policies and Procedures for NMBA registered Nurses standard of Practice (2016) and NQHS standards of Practice

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) undertakes all functions as set by the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, and the NMBA ("ScienceDirect.com | Science, health and medical journals, full text articles and books.", 2020) regulates the practice of nursing. Their crucial motive is to protect the public. Being one of the interns at such a big organisation, I also faced several cases; one of them is I was assigned to examine one patient she was a woman. So, as the examination is necessary, I started to ask that woman why it is required without asking her whether she is comfortable or not. Later I understand that she was not satisfied with me but somehow manages to go with the flow. According to the rule, nurses have to advocate and act to facilitate access for quality and cultural safety. ("Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia - Professional standards", 2020) At that time, the manager used a code of conduct for nurses to talk with me and told me about cultural safety and care. The health care facility supported me at that time to complete my understanding. ("Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia - Professional standards", 2020)

I would always remember that situation and keep myself motivated, and definitely, the same problem would come. I will remember what my senior told me, and I will ask the lady first about her comfort.

Ethical dilemmas in the clinical areas

While I was a trainee at one of the health care, I was assigned to check one prostate cancer patient. He was so scared of his illness that he wanted to commit suicide and one day he called me and informed me about his wish and at the same time he asked me not to tell that to anybody even to the doctors. ("Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia - Professional standards", 2020) The ethical dilemma ("National Center for Biotechnology Information", 2020) is known as if I would tell my other staff, including doctors about that the patient wants to commit suicide without informing him.

At that time, I was confused and also I was not able to understand what I should do. I was freckled, tensed as it was my first time handling such a case. So I took some time and then I decided to inform all the matters to all my colleagues and senior staff and also to the doctor. After I reported them about the suicide tendency of the patient, I found the whole team started to make much more communication with the patient. Health care provided special nursing treatment to him, and as a result, after a couple of months of treatment, he gets released without any sign of suicide attempt. ( NQHS, 2020)

Then I realised I took the right decision and if the same kind of situation came shortly, I would inform my seniors as well as my staff for better understanding.

Professional development of the student

The practical experiences give better insights into the subject. Six weeks of internship experience helped me to get to know about many procedures that the nurses need to do as a part of their daily work schedule. I came to know about the protocols in NQHS for preventing infections. (NQHS, 2020) The hand hygiene, other preventions for sharp injuries, handling of PPE, hygiene-related to respiration, safe injections practices are some of the medical processes that I have got insights. By handling the case of Mr Simons, I have learned about wound washing, wound dressing, angles of hand raise and tincture. Interactions with the RN helped me to know about new things associated with the nursing practices. ("Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia - Professional standards", 2020) The medication administration is well structured and well-disciplined. The experience helped me to know about rules and regulations before medications. In the internship period, I interacted with my team members, clients, agents and family members. Different communications need different approaches and temperament. I have experienced those who will help me in future. I have got an overview of the NMBA policies and procedures that are followed by the RNs and also the NQHS standards of practices. (Woolforde, 2018) The nurses sometimes face ethical dilemmas while pursuing their jobs. I have also experienced it. The internship opportunity helped me to get a work exposure which will help me in future with confidence and knowledge. ("National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards", 2020)

Conclusion

With time, as a nurse, I will be able to evolve and show an enormous amount of dedication to my profession. I will slowly understand all the protocols of nursing standards in Australia and begin my journey as a trained professional.