Reflective Accounts Form Example NMC

Reflective Account Form 1: Adult Nursing Vascular Study Day

What was the nature of the CPD activity and/or practice-related feedback and/or event or experience in your practice?

The CPD activity I attended was a vascular study day around the care and management of patients who have vascular conditions and the need for amputation. The physiological, psychological and social aspects of patient care and various multidisciplinary methods were discussed in this session to find the best ways for effective rehabilitation. Especially since I was working with physiotherapists and learned what physiotherapists do post-operation, what they do for rehabilitation and what preparation there is for prosthetics.

What did you learn from the CPD activity and/or feedback and/or event or experience in your practice?

Being a nurse associate, I was used to working closely with a registered nurse, but now, as a registered nurse, I’m accountable for patient care on my own and make my own decisions. By observing how physiotherapists help with gradual mobility improvement, I could see how interdisciplinary coordination is essential to support an individual after amputation (Regan, 2017). I discovered that looking after psychological needs as much as physical care is as essential, and also ensured patients gained confidence alongside recovery progress. This holistic awareness forces me to be honest with my colleagues, think rigorously and with evidence, and provide tailored education to those under my care (Hoeve, 2018). These insights directly influence my growing role to become more professionally mature and more patient-centred care to transition from NA (Nursing Associate) future role.

This activity taught me valuable nursing care of the vascular patient, pre and post-amputation.

I learned that successful rehabilitation requires a cohesive team, physiotherapists functioning to rehabilitate the patient physically, nurses taking care of optimal wound care, pain management and education of patients. To illustrate, aligning nursing interventions with rehabilitation plans has improved based on an understanding of physiotherapy protocols such as gradual weight-bearing exercises (NMC 2018).

The study day provided feedback that emphasised the psychological support that is needed by patients who have lost a limb, and hence, I have to be empathetic and communicate well. I also discovered the significance of checking patients for post-op complications, including infection or delayed healing, directly affecting the physiotherapy process. Also, I understood the need to promote inter-disciplinary dialogue, particularly regarding elevation concerns and genuine enquiries into treatment plans. Understanding the ability to work with multidisciplinary teams to provide holistic patient care and improve outcomes was essential.

From the NMC Code (2018) perspective, the importance of continuing professionalism and competence was supported (Leigh, 2018). Lifelong learning was a key focus of the study day and the importance of staying up to date in my practise to provide safe and effective care and support my team’s goals.

How did you change or improve your practice as a result?

This experience has changed my work because I emphasise teamwork and interdisciplinary communication in my practice. In addition, I also adopted a reflective practice routine and reflectively analysed my clinical experiences using Gibson’s Reflective Cycle. In addition, I also looked for guidance from senior nurses who mentored me during my journey. I started delegating tasks more proactively, ensuring patient care is safe and efficient. These changes helped me feel a bit more confident with my role and make a positive contribution to patient outcomes. At the same time, I worked on enhancing my leadership skills through ward handovers and helping junior staff. I drew from this experience in having more fluency in managing workloads and giving myself confidence in overcoming emergencies. This proactive approach supports the professional stand expected by NMC Code standards to continuously learn and develop (NMC Code 2018).

How is this relevant to the Code?

Select one or more themes: Prioritise people – Practise effectively – Preserve safety – Promote professionalism and trust

This reflection is relevant to areas of the NMC Code (2018) interchangeably, such as 'Prioritizing People', 'Practicing Effectively' and 'Preserving Safety' (Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2018). I have developed a patient-centred approach, putting an individual’s physical, emotional and psychological needs first. Collaboration with physiotherapists is effective; this continuity of care aids patient recovery and independence. NMC Code (2018).NMC Code: Preserve Safety and Promote Professionalism and Trust. Patient safety and positive outcomes are preserved by my practise improvements, including improved infection control and patient education. As a future RN, I engage in CPD activities and apply my learning, indicating professionalism and a commitment to trustworthiness (2018).

Reflective Account Form 2: Adult Nursing Vac Therapy Dressing

What was the nature of the CPD activity and/or practice-related feedback and/or event or experience in your practice?

In my practice, I worked with international nurses unfamiliar with how the principles and VAC therapy should be applied for wound care. The learning experience turned me into a proactive educator, and it was a discovery of being a passive student becoming an active educator, something entirely different than a nurse associate becoming a registered nurse. Weaning off knew that one of the things that would play a crucial role in as effectively educating my colleagues on the theoretical and practical aspects of VAC therapy was through developing my teaching and leadership skills. I pointed out the advantages of reducing infection risk, managing exudate, and improving tissue perfusion facilitated by VAC therapy.

In particular pointed out that daily dressing changes are not only going to be unnecessary but could worsen the patient's pain and suffering (Apelqvist, 2008). Yet explaining this to various nurses, of different backgrounds took adaptability and an awareness of one’s own cultural sensitivity. Based on practical demonstrations, discussions and evidence-based practices, I helped the team improve in the knowledge and competence relative to the wound manage. Not only were they a valuable professional experience, but when combined, they made us save money and it affected the patient outcomes by reducing complications.

What did you learn from the CPD activity and/or feedback and/or event or experience in your practice?

With this experience, I was able to broaden my understanding of VAC therapy and experienced the improvement of my clinical teaching and communication skills. In simplifying complex interventions to make it easy for the nurses to understand it without being well-trained or have a similar background. But in the opposite side, I also noticed that clear communication involves not only clinical accuracy but also sensitivity when it comes to language barriers and learner needs.

I adjusted my precise language so the excerpts would be short and uncomplicated in comprehension yet exact in the medical sense. My colleagues provided feedback on what gaps were in my own knowledge and this motivated me to continue with further professional development. Workshops on high-risk medications, and I guided the practice to continue to be current and evidence-based through reviewing NICE guidelines (NICE, 2024). However, I also knew that technical competence alone is not enough. It is necessary to teach the patient about the medication side effects and adherence strategies, as well as alternatives. This change of my approach was aligned with the NMC Code (2018), explicitly practising effectively and preserving safety.

I also realized that education of colleagues positively impacts the outcome of patients. VAC therapy is properly applied not only to decrease dressing disruptions and speed healing but also to give the patient less pain. These outcomes illustrate why promoting collaborative, evidence-based care, in line with the NMC Code (2018) is essential.

How did you change or improve your practice as a result?

This experience has caused me to effectively look for gaps in the education of my colleagues and close them through teaching in an informal manner, mentoring, or offering structured training sessions. This helped in making me more confident and competent as a registered nurse. The one thing I am most proud of is seeing those nurses I trained confidently put VAC to practice independently — this made every bit of effort that went into teaching really pay off.

But this process paved the way to improvement. I found that you cannot always rely upon verbal explanations. However, knowledge retention was significantly improved when visual aids and step-by-step guides were integrated. To facilitate this, I took an e-learning module in teaching in clinical practice, which offered me the strategies to teach diverse cadets more efficiently. I also made the Behaviour of regularly consulting the British National Formulary (BNF, 2024) to make sure I was aware of recent practices, as well as applicable forms of current medication and possible side effects.

How is this relevant to the Code?

Practise Effectively – People prior – Preserve Safety – Promote Professionalism and Trust

Conforming to this experience is consistent with several principles of the NMC Code (2018). Educating my colleagues allowed them to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care and apply VAC therapy competently and safely, minimizing patient discomfort and improving healing outcomes. It shows Practising Effectively, the practice of non-stop improvement and the sharing of knowledge.

Gentler to patients: VAC therapy is gentler to patients since the surrounding tissues and wounds are not exposed to acidic irrigation as in VAC therapy (Mac April 23, 2010). Conversely, failing to adequately employ this therapy may have adverse consequences and adds weight to ongoing education and supervision.

It taught me to be Professional and Trustworthy as I had to move the nurse associate role to becoming a registered nurse. Mentoring colleagues enabled me to contribute to a work environment that values supporting colleagues to develop professionally, collaboratively and in the context of patient safety. And this experience had also helped me plaster on more confidence, a more potent weapon to draw from, so I became a more appended and experienced reflection and co-adapt practitioner.