Reflective Journal - week 7

 1. What did you actually learned from the unit.

I actually really liked this unit!! I feel like I had time to do what was expected of me, had time to complete my assignments, had time to actually learn from them as opposed to stress about what I haven't done/what needs to be done. I really enjoyed the interview this week as well and learned a lot about what it takes to keep your business going and the importance of maintaining professionalism as opposed to being your employees friends. I also learned a lot from my husband, his help with the budgeting module was very informative to me. It also brought insight as to why the facility I work for has to follow budget, when you are the RN the budget part can often times feel like a slap in the face, however I learned that a business has to make money. 

2. Discuss your feelings/experiences from the team activities? Did it change your opinion on the subject? If so, how? If not, why?

We only had the one team activity this week of writing interview questions which as usual I enjoy reading everyone else's questions that they come up with as they are usually questions that I would never think of. I feel as though my team has the perfect diversity, we all think differently and yet are able to work together and learn from one another. 

3. How you will utilize the information learned in your nursing practice.

I am going to try and complain less about the staffing models we currently follow, working on the designated COVID unit has been such a challenge. Donning/doffing, practicing proper PPE, not being able to access the nurse servers while in the patient room, not being able to just go in and out if you forget something or the patient wants water, adds so much to our daily tasks as nurses on our unit. We have ALL been frustrated with the budget and staffing, COVID changed things,. However, I am going to try and be more understanding that  business is a business, they have to make money and there is a fine line between that aspect and taking care of your nurses. 

4. You personal feelings about the material covered.

I feel like I answered this question in all three of the above questions. Learning about budgeting was definitely eye opening. When my husband looked at the budget proposed, and suggested that somewhere and somehow the nurse aspect is taking the largest amount and will have to be cut, it opened my eyes that maybe my facility isn't *always* intentionally trying to make it feel like they don't treat their nurses right, because I know my husband would never propose that unless he sees it as needs to be done. It was a new perspective that I have never thought of before.