Stress and Nursing Practice
Write a 500 word essay addressing each of the following points/questions. Be sure to completely answer all the questions for each bullet point. Separate each section in your paper with a clear heading that allows your professor to know which bullet you are addressing in that section of your paper. Support your ideas with at least two (2) sources in your essay. Make sure to reference the citations using the APA writing style for the essay. The cover page and reference page do not count towards the minimum word amount.
Describe the case that defined you as a nurse.
What happened, how were you involved?
How does this case still affect you and your practice?
What steps have you taken to overcome the stress of this event? (Remember to protect patient privacy).
Explain the importance of debriefings.
If a debriding would happen in your workplace who would be involved, what would be discussed, who would lead the debriefing, where would it take place?
Let’s break this assignment down into manageable steps:
- Understanding the Question: This essay is asking you to reflect on a personal experience from your nursing practice that significantly impacted you, and how it affected you and continues to affect your practice. It also prompts you to discuss coping mechanisms and the importance of debriefings in the healthcare profession.
- Section Breakdown:
- Defining Case: Begin your essay by describing a case that significantly influenced you as a nurse. Try to recall a particular event or patient that left a lasting impact on you. Be detailed in your description but maintain patient privacy.
- Involvement and Impact: Reflect on your role in this particular case. How were you involved? How did this experience influence your understanding of nursing, your approach to patient care, or your view of the healthcare system? Consider how this case continues to influence your practice today.
- Overcoming Stress: Discuss the steps you have taken to manage the stress or emotional impact of this case. This could include anything from seeking support from colleagues, to practicing mindfulness or other stress management techniques.
- Importance of Debriefings: Here, discuss why debriefings are important in nursing practice. You could discuss how they allow for reflection, improve future practice, or provide emotional support.
- Debriefing Scenario: Describe how a debriefing would happen at your workplace. Who would be involved? What would be the topics of discussion? Who would facilitate the debriefing? Where would it take place? Be as specific as possible.
- Research: Find at least two credible sources that can support your statements, particularly those regarding the importance of debriefings in nursing.
- Writing the Essay: Begin writing your essay, making sure to divide it into the sections mentioned above. Each section should have a clear heading. Your essay should be about 500 words, not including the cover page and reference page.
- Citations: Make sure to cite your sources properly in APA format both in the text and in a reference page at the end of your essay.
- Proofreading: After you’ve written your essay, take the time to review it for grammatical errors and to ensure it flows well. Check that you’ve accurately addressed each question and that your citations are correctly formatted.
This assignment allows you to reflect deeply on your nursing practice, which can be a valuable exercise. Good luck!