Clinical Reflection

Gregory Wendt

BSCN 2084

Riley Jo O’Neill

December 20th, 2021

 Clinical Reflection

I have chosen to use the Gibbs Reflective Cycle model.

Description

During my clinical rotation in the NICU I got to watch a caesarean section being

performed. I waited in the other room and watched the surgery through the window. After the

baby was delivered a nurse brought the infant into the room. The nurse assessed the baby and

gave an APGAR score.

Feelings

I felt a bit nervous to watch a real surgery being performed live, because I had never seen

that before. However, I found the experience of watching the surgery to be very exciting. It was

also very special being present for the delivery of a baby. Seeing the happiness of the parents

meeting their child was infectious. Felt like I was a part of a big, defining moment for that

family.

Initial Evaluation

The experience was good because I got to witness the delivery of a newborn baby and the

excitement of one of the parents when first meeting their new child. There was no real negative

aspect of the experience, aside from my initial nervousness of watching a surgery.

Critical Analysis

This was a great experience because I got to see both a surgery and the birth of a child. I

also enjoyed watching the nurses assisting the surgeon and anesthesiologist. Seeing firsthand
how a nurse assesses a newborn child was also very educational. We had talked about the

APGAR score in class, so it was great to see it being performed for real. It is based on heart rate,

respiratory rate, flexion, reflexes, and skin colour. The nurse performed it 1 minute after birth

and then again for a second time 5 minutes later (Gladding, 2017). I was also very impressed at

the nurse’s ability to count the infant’s heartrate. I know from practicing in the lab that it is very

difficult to be able to count that many beats in your head.

Conclusion

Upon reflecting on this incident, I think that I might like to one day assist with a surgery.

Surgery seems like something that would interest me. Although I don’t think working in

maternity is something that’s for me, I did really enjoy my time in the NICU.

Final Evaluation and Action Plan

Next semester I will do another Paed/OB rotation and if given the chance to go back

onto the NICU I would be happy to spend another day there. It was a great educational

experience and I liked learning about the unique aspects of caring for newborn babies. It was

very different from my regular clinical experience on 3B.

 References

Gladding, I. (2017). Nursing care of the newborn and family. In S. E., Perry, M. J., Hockenberry,

D. L., Lowdermilk, D., Wilson, L. Keenan-Lindsay, & C. A., Sams (Eds.), Maternal

child nursing care in canada. (pp. 672-719). Elsevier.