What skills did the nurses exemplify that you need to develop in yourself?

Skills exemplified in the Nurses movie that I would like to develop in myself are abundant as I am just starting out and want to hone my skills.  I would like to focus on working with children and the ability to connect with them.  I can see that with so many patient populations as the ability to connect with a wide variety of people is a foundation for nursing. 

Connect to learning in your coursework thus far and how you can build on that learning.

Connecting the coursework I have been exposed to thus far to connecting with people of various populations has been very helpful.  While being taught nursing practice and specifically assessments we learn how to review body systems based on different ethnicities.  We also learn about cultural sensitivity and implicit bias. Receiving education and working on self-awareness is a valuable aspect of nursing school.

Identify a clinical location or patient population featured in the movie that served a diverse patient population that you have not yet served in your experience as a UNE Student Nurse (think broadly).

A population that I have not worked with is rural and specifically the indigenous people.  In the film there was a piece on nurses going out to remote reservations.  It is such a unique and culturally sensitive type of nursing.  It also involves the challenge of working in a different environment.  To approach a culture with openness and without judgement is very important.  It’s a powerful thing to put yourself out there and venture into a remote community and be aware and compassionate to their culture.

What barriers to care are seen?

The barrier to care for the part on indigenous people was in part how they got to the patients.  The physical act of driving for hours into the desert was not an easy thing to do.  Another nurse talks about all the skills she never could have imagined.  She mentions working with the Marines and getting training on how to use a gun and training on providing care in a military setting. The situations that nurses are put into are varied and could involve any scenario.

How did the practice of cultural humility help to ready those nurses to care for patients of diverse populations?

Cultural humility is very important to say the least.  To be self-aware that we do not know everything about a culture and that is ok.  For us to acknowledge not understanding a culture and incorporating empathy is a part of nursing.  Knowing this before treating patients of different cultures will help guide care.  By allowing patients autonomy and guiding their own care based on beliefs is best practice.  To provide evidence-based knowledge to the patients and giving them the information to make decisions is the correct way.  We need to also realize that the patient will make their decisions and that is perfectly fine.

Are there any areas of your own knowledge where you would want to improve or learn more about caring for diverse populations and creating equity in the care you provide?

I am looking forward to finding a position in Oncology.  I feel this is a disease that affects all of us in some way.  I want to gaining knowledge on how different culture’s view cancer and their viewpoints on the healing process. The journey of healing is different for people and spirituality and culture plays a huge part in how they reach their goals of health. 

Reflecting on the guest speakers and recorded Career Services presentation:

How will you prepare for the interview to set you apart from other applicants (e.g., research the organization’s mission, priorities, practice model, specific job responsibilities; questions for the interviewer; career goals; interview skills to make a good impression)?

To prepare for job interviews I plan to be well versed ab out the specific position, the unit, and the facility.  By researching about these things, I will feel more confident about who they are and what I am going into.  Researching beforehand will provide confidence and the ability to answer questions.  It will also give me insight on how to engage with my own questions.  Being knowledgeable about the position and the unit will make a great impression.

How will you describe your strengths, supported by evidence (e.g., knowledge and experience gained from the UNE Nursing Program and extracurricular activities, teamwork, communication)?

To describe my strengths, I am going to focus on my clinical experience.  To convey my patient centered care and how I navigate nursing practice in the clinical situation will showcase how I will operate in the role.  Talking about how I collaborated with other nurses and providers will show an interprofessional/team approach to providing care.  I feel clinical hands-on applications are great way of showing clinical reasoning and practice.  Examples from skills and simulation labs will show how I navigated specific situations.

How will you describe “weaknesses” (I prefer “challenges”!) and plans/steps taken to address them?

         To describe my weaknesses, I would use that as areas of growth and self-awareness.  To acknowledge areas of improvement, show ambition to grow and learn.  By taking initiative to take what you don’t know and turn it into educational moments is a great thing.  There will always be room for growth and to learn more throughout our entire lives.  It’s great to have those opportunities!

      Reflecting on your participation in the Interview Round Robin and Nursing Career Showcase:

• How will you prepare for the interview to set you apart from other applicants (e.g. research the organization’s mission, priorities, practice model, specific job responsibilities; questions for the interviewer; career goals; interview skills to make a good impression)?
  • To set myself apart from other applicants I will use my interpersonal skills.  I feel that being able to connect with the interviewers shows that I will be able to connect with patients.  By being organized and doing the research going into the interview will leave me with plenty of talking points as well as the ability to promptly answer questions.  By showing ambition to grow within the hospital and climb their ladder will show that I am goal oriented and invested in the hospital.  Connecting and showing ambition are great highlights.
• How will you describe your strengths, supported by evidence (e.g knowledge and experience gained from the UNE Nursing Program and extracurricular activities, teamwork, communication)?
  • To show my strengths I will refer to my clinical experience as well as my life experience.  I value myself as being well traveled and well rounded.  To bring together all of my education, training, and life experience will show that I am a great candidate that has a lot to offer.
• Identify one piece of constructive feedback you received during either of these events and describe the plans/steps you will take to address and/or improve upon it.
  • I had all great feedback and much of it highlighted my ability to engage and my personality.  I think it really showcases my ability to connect with patients as well as to be a member of a team.  I feel I would be a great coworker and my ability to be personable and am a great addition to a positive work environment.