Nursing student nursing culture question?

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 9, 2014

I think that if it supposed to be about a real-life placement you had, then it is not a matter of "picking a nursing culture." But rather, it is a matter of identifying the characteristics of the real-life culture you were in. "Cultures" are not only exotic ones that are different from our own, they are all around us. We are members of our families, friendship groups, workplace groups, etc. -- all of whom have cultural characteristics.

Also, the a culture can have positive effects on a patient as well as negative ones. For example, a culture of safety promotes safe practice. A culture that values nursing competence and skill would probably have good orientation programs and other education for nurses that would result in the delivery of good care. etc. A culture that supported family-centered care would be supportive of the patients' families and their involvement in the care.

So ... think about your patients and how the culture of the places where you did your clinicals influenced the care provided, outcomes, etc. Pick something that interests you to emphasize.

kathleen07 · Oct 10, 2014

My placement was very team work focused. Like, the culture felt very team worked based in how it was set up (i.e. x2 worked together to care for 6 patients, x1 shift coordinator who floated around to assist if necessary/receive handovers).

I am keen to write my reflection about how in a morning shift, it was very busy and patients were detiorioating and we needed assistance so the shift co-ordinator was able to assist as well as allocate another RN to help.

Do you think im going down the right track?

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 10, 2014

Sounds good to me. (and I have been a nursing faculty member) But only your instructor can say for sure. I only know what you said in your original post.

Also, I apologize for all the typos in my previous post. I was in a hurry.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Oct 10, 2014

I think that would be a great paper to write. Too many times only the negative is examined, so it's possible that yours would stand out from the crowd and perhaps offer your classmates something to aspire toward.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2014

That sounds good! Nursing is too broad to "pick" "the" culture of, and since it's supposed to be based on your observations in the peds unit, we can't say what the culture was like. But my first thought was that pt well-being can be improved by the culture. "Impacted" doesn't necessarily mean "harmed."

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2014

I think the team effort impacted the patient ina positive manner and works well as a team to ensure effective and safe patient care...good topic.

kathleen07 · Oct 11, 2014

Thanks for all the advice and help guys! Definitely appreciated! :)

Would you call the nursing culture a "culture of teamwork"?

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2014

I would

kathleen07 · Oct 12, 2014

Hey guys,

Was wondering if you could help me with another question about this reflection.

I want to write a question about what barriers may stop a team work culture happening.

But just wondering how i should word it..

Do you think I should ask it by saying "what barriers may prevent a culture of team work forming?"

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Oct 12, 2014

You could word it that way. You might also want to think about what conditions could result in a culture of team-work being lost. For example, what would happen if the shift supervisor retired? Would the team hold together with someone else in that role, maybe someone whose interpersonal relations are very different, or would it gradually disintegrate? If you replaced any one person on the team with someone who isn't interested in helping others get their work done, how long would it take until it turned into "every man for himself"?