NURS 220 focused on the clinical and communication skills needed to provide safe quality care to patients. Throughout this course I was able to learn many of the basic skills used in the nursing field including hand washing, bed making, NG tube placement, catheter placement, wound care, ostomy care, IV insertion and care, medication administration, and other skills. Although some of these skills may seem so simple, such as hand washing, this class proved how important proper technique is in every skill. We also learned the differences between clean technique and sterile technique and the importance that these have in preventing infections.
This class was the first class that really made me realize everything that is expected of nurses. We also received our clinical uniform that we will use throughout this program at Longwood. As nurses, we are faced with many challenges. I personally view my scrubs as a symbol of not only the care provided to patients, but as a representation of what it means to be a nurse. My goal is to recognize what a nurse is and be competent in my skills every time I put on my scrubs, whether it be representing Longwood University or the nursing community as a whole. Wearing scrubs for the first time and practicing skills that I will perform during my career is a huge step in becoming a nurse so I have connected a picture of when I received my scrubs.
Fall 2020—Madison Pribble— Class of 2023