Kaitlyn Morrissette

Synthesis of Nursing Practice NUR 4142

Final Analysis
It is unbelievable that this journey is coming to an end. Nursing school was undoubtedly
one of the hardest things I had ever done. I have become a better person throughout these 3 years
at the college of nursing. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had in this program and the
developments I have made thus far. I chose Bon Secours because of their mission and core
values. I hope to apply them in my practice along with all the skills and knowledge I have
learned along the way. There is still so much to learn in the profession of nursing and I am at the
very beginning of my career. I am excited to begin my new journey as a registered nurse.
When I applied to nursing school, I wanted to make an impact on nursing and in my
future patients lives. I thought that I would be great for the job because I loved taking care of
others and genuinely cared about those around me. After I started clinical I knew there was
nowhere else I would rather be. There are several aspects to nursing and I was sure that I would
find a place where was meant to be. I was determined to find a passion and a position to excel in.
It is a beautiful thing when a passion and a career come together. Nursing is my passion, better
yet mother-infant nursing is my passion. I still have a lot to learn, but I am determined to put in
the work and do great things in my profession.
As a nursing student I quickly learned how important communication was. I felt as if
there was never a dumb question and it was better to be safe than sorry. There was so much to
learn in the beginning and I had to lean on my fellow students, nurses, and instructors to obtain
the best experience and grow into the best nurse I could be. I completed my nursing
competencies, medical-surgical rotations, clinical, pharmacology courses, leadership classes, and

specialty courses in this program. To say at the very least, I finished the basics. I had several
clinical rotations on several different units where I practiced nursing skills, medication
administration, applied new knowledge, obtained vital signs, and completed head-to-toe
assessments. It is funny to think that there is more to learn, there will always be more to learn in
the health care profession.
Throughout my med-surg rotations my most memorable experience was when I was able
to follow my oncology patient from the oncology floor, to pre-op, to the operating room, and
then to the PACU. During the rotation I practiced nursing presence which can sometimes be
undermined. This man was very scared and in a lot of pain due to tumors he was developing on
his spine. I was with him throughout the entire experience where the surgeon would relieve
pressure on his spine. My presence brought him comfort. When we were in the PACU, I had to
leave because my time for the rotation had some to an end. This man looked at me and said,
Thank you for being here, you were my angel today. Little moments like this are small but
provide a great example on how important nursing presence is.
During this experience, every single nurse I encountered was warm and welcoming. To
examine the communication and collaboration between several of the different units was
impeccable. During the operation, even the neuro-surgeon requested that I had a stool so that I
could see what he was doing. The anesthesiologist showed me his work area and his goals for the
patient. It was truly amazing to see such a great team working together. After I graduate, I hope
to practice the communication and collaboration I have learned about and witnessed at Memorial
Regional Medical Center.
I really felt as if I had a great nursing experience when I had an 8-week summer
externship in the St. Francis Medical Centers Emergency Department. I applied and was so

surprised and honored to be chosen for their program. The emergency department is where I felt
as if I was starting to practice as a nurse, chart like a nurse, and anticipate like a nurse. I was
working with nurses, techs, and doctors, taking on several patients, practicing skills repetitively,
and understanding the importance of my assessments. It was a fast pace some days and I
genuinely loved it. EKGs, starting IVs, drawing blood, and inserting foley catheters were skills I
thought I would never have confidence in and I gained that confidence in the ED.
For my senior year immersion experience, I had the opportunity to practice as a nurse for
202 hours on the mother infant unit at St. Francis Medical Center. I learned quickly that my
passion is with postpartum mothers and their newborn babies. Teaching is a large part of what I
loved about this experience. I felt confident in what I was doing when talking to new parents
about their newborn and more importantly I felt like I was making a difference in someones life.
My assessment skills with this patient population became efficient and also juggling 4 couplets
was a challenge but it is manageable. Throughout the experience, I was placed in the nursery
with my preceptor where we would catch babies. When we use that term that simply means
that we head in on the time of delivery and assess the babys airway, use the APGAR tool, dry
the baby, and ensure bonding by skin-to-skin contact. It was very rewarding to be in the nursery
and witness different types of deliveries and act when necessary, for example, I have performed
deep suctioning with instruction of my preceptor. I learned a lot in the completion of my 202
hours on MIU, but more importantly I learned where I belong.
Nursing school has taught me the importance of education and evidence-based practice.
Nurses are continuously looking for ways to improve their practice and patient outcomes. I have
had several education opportunities and evidence-based practice presentations to acknowledge
that we are practicing in the best interest of our patients and for ourselves. One way in which I

could grow is to practice evidence-based practices and provide my patients with the best
discharge teaching there could be.
My growth throughout nursing school is absolutely amazing. I love the experiences I
have had in school, at my externship, and in my senior year immersion. I feel as if I am a better
person for completing nursing school and I understand that there is more room for growth in my
nursing practice. I will continue to look for education opportunities, build my confidence, and
learn to prevent and anticipate potential problems.