Van Mai

N320- Spring 2016

Week 4

Student learning outcome #1: Apply basic leadership skills in the care of
families
This clinical week was assigned to care for an 11-week female
who was brought to the ER for consistent cough and nasal congestion
and was diagnosed with Bodetella Pertussis. I witnessed leadership in
nursing care when I first met with my primary nurse. She showed
concerns about the patient. She asked what I could do and how long I
stayed till. She briefly talked about the patient conditions and her
concerns. She then delegated tasks for me. She concerned if the
patient woke up she may have coughing spell. Therefore, she told me
not to do anything that might weak the patient up before 0900. She
showed me the wall suction was already set at 100 pressures and an
oxygen flow and instructed me how to turn it on or apply suctioning if
the patient has a coughing spell, secretion or desaturation. She also
instructed me to keep an eyes on the patient since patient was alone,
time the coughing spell, note if desaturation or decreased HR occurred
with coughing, chart coughing event and characteristics, formula feed
patient and offered a bath to the patient if mom is coming later, inform
her if there is any abnormalities finding. She then periodically checked
on the patient and I.
In addition, I also had an opportunity to be a leader. I was also
assigned to be a leader of my group. I was supposed to check on
everyone in my group to if they keep up with their works, nursing

Van Mai
N320- Spring 2016
Week 4

cares, charting, or need help. I was also supposed to assigned break

and taking over on other students patient who were on break. I feel
that I didnt practice leadership skill very well. There was time I was
too busy with my own patient and charting that I forgot to check on my
group members. I think in order for me to be a good leader, I need to
be better at time management, be more assertive and more efficient. I
will try to improve these aspects and observing other nurses so that I
could be a great leader someday.
Student learning outcome #2 Practice as a member of a multi-disciplinary
health care team.
This week I also practiced to be a member of a multi-disciplinary health
care team. I worked with the primary nurse to care for the patient.
Listened to her instructions and report to her if any abnormalities were
found. At one point, I saw the patient lying on bed, her two hands was
grasping each other. She kept looking at her them and her eyes were
crossed. I recalled that crossed-eye is normal in infant due to poor
neuromuscular coordination. But I was still nervous if she was exploring
herself or if she might have a seizure. Thus, I tried to distract the
patient but I was failed. I got nervous. After a few moments, the
patient returned normal and smiled to me. I was reassured that there is
nothing wrong with the patient; however to be safe, I discussed with
nurse about it and how I felt. She assured me that it was normal and I
dont need to worry about it. I didnt have opportunity working with

Van Mai
N320- Spring 2016
Week 4
other team members. In the future, I plan to coordinate with radiology
and laboratory teams or PT, OT, ST, and dietitian to bring out the best
outcome in patients.