The Role of Technology in Nursing

#12
I think that technology in nursing is a facilitator. It allows for people to do all the skills of nurses in the past, before technology, but to a more intense degree. I think it enriches all aspects of nursing. Though it changes the way we care for a patient, it provides for better outcomes.

From an educational standpoint, technology allows for educators to teach students that supports their individual learning styles. As students, we can learn through different experiences, such as simulations and actual practice. Simulations in the skills lab allow for supplemental learning, along with actual clinical practice, that provides a controlled environment to comfortably learn. Technology also helps if people are sick, and have to miss class. In some school they are then able to access a lecture and class information on the internet directly from their home.

I think technology is an essential part of professional nursing in today's society. As technology advances in the future, we will be able to use it to facilitate our degree of practice even further.

The Language of Nursing

#11
This week, as I wrote earlier, I had a patient that spoke no English. As I was writing my Record of Care, I came to self-evaluation part of the paperwork. At that time I was able to reflect on my week. I was thinking of all the care that I was able to provide for my patient even though she spoke no English. I did have an interpreter a lot of the time, but not every time I entered the room. I realized how I was able to communicate through my actions alone. I was able to speak deep concepts such as care, concern, love, and gentleness without ever saying a word. Then I realized that nursing is a language all on its own. The act of caring for someone speaks all these concepts. It reminded me how universal nursing is. I can go anywhere in the world, even though I may not be able to speak much of the language, I can still show love. This week I learned how to communicate better, was able to experience the language of nursing.

Language barrier

#7
Yesterday I was picking out patients for clinical today. I was interested in taking care of a woman with an infection in her foot. Then I saw she did not speak any English. She only spoke Russian. I was going to change patients because of that. Then decided it would be a challenge and I was ready for it. So I met her today and had Ilana introduce me since she speaks Russian. Ultimately the day went well, and I was able to communicate in other ways like hand motions, demonstrations, and drawing pictures. I also had help from Ilana translating while I tried to communicate more intricate messages. It was a challenge but turned into a great experience. The nurses said she was more pleasant and content than she had ever been since she was admitted. She said that was the only day the woman was not constantly asking to go home. I saw how a little attention, and making an effort to communicate and understand her, went a long way. Sometimes the most difficult situations turn into the most rewarding.