Sickle Cell Transition Placement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Sickle Cell Transition Placement - Essay Example According to Anon (2009) about 7 percent of patients often die due to the increase of liver iron, and other causes including strokes and infection are also considered causes of deaths among these patients. This essay will be a reflection of my sickle cell placement as a student nurse. This topic was chosen because I wanted to observe what sickle cell nurses do for patients in order to enhance my learning; moreover, I also believe that this learning associates well to my course. I also chose to observe what sickle cell nurses do for patients because I of the likelihood of encountering patients with sickle cell disease in the future. This essay shall first undertake a reflection on the transition activity; secondly, it will demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the transition activity, which in this case is sickle cell disease. This second part will also demonstrate the impact of the topic and the transition activity to my area of professional practice. This second portion shall also dis cuss the role of sickle cell nurses and shall then provide reasons why the activity was chosen. Thirdly, this essay will analyse how this transition activity has contributed to my own learning and skills development. Lastly, by focusing on this transition activity, this paper will also determine further areas for personal and professional development and how this might be taken forward through future research and further study as a registered nurse. In accordance with the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (2008), any personal confidential information regarding the patient/s and individuals involved in this placement shall not be disclosed. The Trust where I conducted my placement shall also be kept confidential. Body Reflection on the Transition Activity I had my transition placement on sickle cell disease, and initially during my placement, I had a discussion at the hospital with the patients and later visited them in their own homes. In general, the activities duri ng my placement were varied. I met with the multidisciplinary team regarding patients who suffered from sickle cell and how best to care for them. I also discussed the findings/results of the tests. I also observed how the sickle cell nurses administered care to the patients, addressing their needs physically, mentally, psychologically and emotionally. I also observed how nurses explained the disease to parents and their children, including the consequences of their illnesses as well as its risks/effects. I also observed how the nurses discussed with parents about the loss of their children, discussing with them the possible therapeutic options they can take as grieving parents. The transition activity initially provoked feelings of anxiety. However, in the process of learning, my anxiety soon vanished and I was able to transition gradually into the crucial duties of a sickle cell nurse. Duncan and DePew (2010) discuss that with more experience, the transition process among students of nursing can somehow be eased. In considering what I was able to get from this learning professionally, I was able to learn the qualities of the disease, including the specific role of the sickle cell nurse in ensuring efficient patient care. On a personal level, I was also able to get a specific feel for the nursing practice, including its