Part 2: Stress and Nursing Practice
Write an 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. Review the rubric criteria for this assignment.
- 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?
Assignment Expectations:
Length: 500 words
Structure: Include a title page and reference page in APA format. These do not count towards the minimum word count for this assignment. Your essay must include an introduction and a conclusion.
References: Use appropriate APA style in-text citations and references for all resources utilized to answer the questions. A minimum of two (2) scholarly sources are required for this assignment.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a medical professor, I strongly believe in the importance of stress management in nursing practice. In this essay, I will describe a case that defined me as a nurse and the steps I have taken to overcome the stress of that event. Additionally, I will also explain the significance of debriefings and how it plays a vital role in nursing practice.
Case that defined me as a nurse:
As a nurse, I once had a patient who was critically ill. Despite providing the necessary healthcare, the patient’s health continued to deteriorate. Eventually, the patient passed away due to complications. I was involved in this case as it was my responsibility to monitor the patient’s vitals and provide medical attention as needed. This incident still affects me and my practice. It made me realize how fragile life is and how important it is to provide the best care possible to patients.
To overcome the stress associated with this event, I took various steps such as attending counseling sessions, talking to peers, and improving my self-care routine by keeping up with exercise and nutrition. This helped me learn how to manage stress effectively and take care of my overall well-being so that I could continue to provide quality care to the patients I serve.
The importance of debriefings:
Debriefings are essential in nursing practice as they provide an opportunity for healthcare professionals to process and reflect on a critical event. It allows healthcare staff to share their thoughts and feelings and come to terms with their emotions in a safe and non-judgmental environment. This process is essential to prevent burnout and mental health concerns in healthcare staff.
In a debriefing, staff who were involved in the critical event should participate, including the physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. The debriefing should take place in a private location that is comfortable for all staff involved. An excellent way to conduct the debriefing is to have a trained mental health professional lead the discussion.
Conclusion:
Stress management and debriefings are crucial elements in nursing practice. As a nurse, I have experienced the impact of intense and traumatic events and know the importance of seeking support and appropriately processing these events. Encouraging debriefings and providing a safe environment for healthcare professionals to discuss their thoughts and feelings can help to prevent burnout and promote better patient care.
