Reflective account of two placement experiences - Essay Example

mental balance and wellbeing. For instance, I was assigned to care for a service user with dementia. Accordingly, such individuals require specialized arenas of care, as they are medically categorized as being amongst the most prone of individuals in society (Darling, 2011:642). It hence takes individual input, gradual experience, acquired expert knowledge and excellent communication skills to effectively function in such a setting (Jasper, 2003:24). With no form of experience, expertise, expert knowledge and internship, I experienced amongst others nervousness and lack of confidence that made me scared.

In dealing with such individuals, the lack of confidence did not aid much as provision of care for the service users, required individuals (medical students and professionals) who had a better idea of how to handle such service users. In such a setting, the presence of medical professionals was crucial, as the service users were not capable of helping themselves (Eva & Regehr, 2005:S47). Even with the presence of other first year nursing students, the lack of expert knowledge and experience hampered my overall handling of existing service users.

I however take solace in the fact that if functioning in such situations was not with its high and low moments, I would invariably feel not effectively utilized in such clinical settings (Sandars, 2009:687). It was difficult for me to feed them, give them medication or any other care they needed because of the violent behavior that made me even more scared especially for the fact that I lacked experience. It was difficult even to get close to them at first because I was not confident and thought they would beat me up or even worse bite me.

However, with time I overcame such issues as my mentor modeled me. She instructed me on what to do on top of the fact that I saw what she was doing and adapted slowly. I was not knowledgeable of such conditions but after