Carolinas Simulation Center Personal Reflection Examples

The simulation environment offers a safe place for students to practice critical scenarios and gain confidence in proscribed settings (Decker, Sportsman, Puetz, & Billings, 2008). Simulation helps faculty to facilitate learning which meets one of the NLN’s core competencies. Simulation also enhances communication through emerging leadership and delegation skills, and builds teamwork through goal and priority setting (Dillon, Noble, & Kaplan, 2009). Therefore, according to Lasater (2007) simulation is highly effective as an adjunct teaching strategy in clinical practice.

There have been many experiences that have helped me develop the skills necessary for training in research while also cultivating my interest in it. As a future physician, I want to participate in healing patients as well as improving medical care through research, where I can help build upon our current medical knowledge. Although there are many experiences that have contributed to my desire to train in research, the three most significant are my work as a research assistant, my work as a TA and Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leader, and my interactions with medical researchers.

The main task of my internship was to gain more experience and knowledge of our respective field. Overall, the experience proved to be both enjoyable and rewarding. During this internship I used the skills that I learned from my Medical Assistant class and used them in the real world scenarios at the hospital. Also while I there I was exposed to new experiences. Such as performing Urine test on Drug and alcohol patients. For this procedure I had to stand in the restroom with the patient's and watch them urinate into a cup. I had to stand in the restroom with the patients because in the past they try and cheat the system. For example

I’ve been grateful for this opportunity to immerse myself in the medical workplace and learn from actual doctors. My internship has allowed me to see the real side of medicine—that it is more than just “playing doctor” --it is hard work and calls for dedication to your profession. It has helped me to understand that going into the healthcare field requires passion for helping and caring for people. I can see this every day in the nurses and surgeons I work with and enjoy working alongside

My research internship was an experience that stimulated my intellectual side. I learned a great deal about research design, procedures, and analysis. Along the way, I encountered several road blocks, but I knew that frustration was not a productive emotion. I sought the help of my mentors and told them the truth: that my data wasn’t making sense and I did not know why. We brainstormed ideas and I researched every night until we discovered that the problem must have had something to do with the low expression of the gene in the particular tissue. At Creighton, I will use my research experience to continue advancing the body of knowledge. Specifically, I would like to participate in the Summer Research Fellowship Program.

A human patient simulator is a life-like, anatomically correct, computer driven mannequin with physiologic responses that mimic real patients. Education in simulated learning environments (SLEs) has grown rapidly across health care professions. A randomized controlled trial has investigated whether SLEs can, in part, substitute for traditional clinical education finally provided evidence that clinical education in an SLE can in part (25%) replace clinical time with real patients without compromising students' attainment of the professional competencies required to practice (Watson et al., 2012). An increase in recognition of medical errors has dictated the need to improve education by allowing students and clinicians to learn in an environment

Experiences often have a noticeable impact on potential career paths, and I am no exception. I spent a major portion of my recent summer interning at Sanford Health, a local hospital, with Sanford Vascular Innovations, a research group located within the hospital. As part of my internship, I became involved in the patent process for novel medical devices and observed live surgery, both state-of-the-art and timeless, to increase my understanding. Observing the live surgeries provided me with a more knowledgeable position from which to write a background of current medical treatments for the novel medical devices. Even though the specific medical devices were not in the trial phase, just observing the operations afforded me a greater understanding of how the device could be used and where potential complications could occur. Performing the actual surgery would provide even more insight into how medical devices are used and where complication may occur.

For years nurses have gained experience in the medical field through clinical rounds at hospitals and doctors offices. Learning has always taken place first through textbooks and then through personal experience during required clinical time. These methods have proven effective but include limitations to the amount of exposure a student can gain before entering the workforce. A new way of learning is on the rise with the use of High Fidelity Simulations (HFS) or the Sim Man. HFS is a computerized life size manikin that simulates real human responses to treatment. This new technology allows students to practice rare procedures or treat common diagnoses.

In short, when clinical simulation is to be carried out, the following steps can help in evaluation.

There are three types of simulation and they are, Low-fidelity simulation Intermediate-fidelity simulation and High-fidelity simulation (HFS) is help to experiential learning using life-size manikins with actual physiological responses, and sophisticated interactive ability in realistic scenarios. Students can make, detect and correct patient care errors without negative consequences(Nagle, McHale, Alexander, & French, 2009). High-fidelity simulation help to support the trainees confidence and competence from the theory to the clinical environment. (Bambini, Washburn, & Perkins, 2009)The simulations support discussions among the trainees, which concern on different aspects of their professional practice, and could improve the achievement and improve of clinical skills. HFS help to improve team collaboration and communication in the training program ((Birkhoff & Donner, 2010; Ling, Xiaohong, & Xiaoping,

Technological innovations are influencing education strategies and specifically advancing the domain of health professional education. Simulation is becoming more popular as a means to provide innovative learning experiences and foster understanding of didactic content, as well as offer an avenue for students to refine their collaborative practice skills. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) in its report, To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health Care System, recommended simulation training as a teaching strategy that can prevent future errors in the clinical setting (Kohn, Corrigan, & Donaldson, 2000). The report states that “health care organizations and teaching

One of the most important lessons I have learned and retained is that the goal of a scientist is to tell a story that clearly outlines the implications of the research findings in a simple manner. In addition, this semester, I am interning as a research associate at Parkland Hospital in order to gain exposure to various research environments. This has given me a unique medical perspective, and I hope to further evaluate my interest in medical/scientific research by immersing myself in research training at UT Southwestern. By carrying out experiments while attending classes I haven’t been able to get a complete research experience, so I would really like to put forth all my effort and work full-time on a research project through the UT Southwestern SURF

I can also say that, that my internship enhanced my professional skills. It added to my confidence in my ability to work as a research coordinator and toward reaching my goal to become a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator by completing the ACRP Certification. What is next to me is to expand my professional networking; aiming to start working within the field of clinical research as soon as possible. With my education, scientific background and the experience I got from my study at Humber College, I am fully confidant in my ability to reach my goals within the nearby

I became a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) volunteer in May of 2015. As such, I had the opportunity to observe the interview process of two potential adoptive families. The interview team consisted of seven employees of the Catawba County Department of Social Services, which included social workers, supervisors, and managers. A GAL program supervisor was also present, as well as a child therapist. This experience left me with a deep respect for the careful and thorough evaluation demonstrated by the interview team members. It is a tremendous responsibility to secure the best permanent placement home for children in foster care. The interview team assessed the strengths and needs of the children and the potential adoptive parents. Reflection on my ability to think critically and evaluate information, while taking into account my personal values and biases, led me to the conclusions that I have much more to learn.

I learned something about myself during this internship program. One of the most important things that I learned is skill. During internship, the opportunity to get new knowledge is everywhere, which includes knowing how to fulfil task relevant to my desired career path and I can become better by spending time to sharpening and honing my skills during the internship.