Career Self-Assessment

MIRROR, MIRROR
LOOKING AT ME: A SELF-ASSESSMENT

Kimberely S. Strickland
NUCO 4430 Transition / Validation Seminar I
University of Virginia School of Nursing
October 12, 2010

MIRROR, MIRROR
LOOKING AT ME: A SELF-ASSESSMENT

Values
As a nurse, I always try to act in the best interests of the patient. In order to achieve this goal, I am honest about my shortcomings. I practice with an open mind and a questioning attitude. I have seen many nurses make avoidable mistakes because they were too afraid or too proud to consult a colleague when they could have asked a few questions. Additionally, if I make a mistake, I admit it quickly so that no harm comes to the patient. Admitting mistakes increases both my knowledge and patient safety. Another important facet of nursing is teamwork. Even though each patient is assigned one nurse, we must act as a team in order to put the needs of the patient first. For example, two or more people are required to pull up a patient in bed safely, two nurses check insulin to ensure a correct dose, and two or more nurses are often needed to decipher a doctor’s handwritten orders. Without honesty, an open mind, admission of mistakes, and teamwork, patient safety is always compromised.

Knowledge
I attended nursing school at Surry Community College and graduated in May 2006. However, this is not my first degree. I earned an Associate of Arts from Surry in 1993 and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Salem College in 1995[KH1] . My first job out of nursing school was on a step down unit at a small community hospital. I stayed there for two years before moving onto a medical-surgical unit at a major hospital in one of the largest cities in the state. When I started this second job, I had as much confidence as a new nurse[KH2] as I did that first day on the job even though I had two years experience. Now, I have two years experience on this busy unit and have seen a range of diagnoses from anemia to zinc deficiency. Because of this experience, I now feel that I can work on any unit and be successful.
One of my greatest strengths is my ability to talk to almost anyone in any given situation. My supervisors, co-workers, and patients compliment me on my honesty and clarity when conveying important information. Many times, I must translate what the doctor told the patient into more easily understandable terms. Sometimes, I may give the newly-admitted patient a preview of what to expect when the doctor arrives. Other times, I’ll help the patient and family formulate a list of questions for the doctor so none are unanswered. This helps me to establish a rapport with my patients and their families rather quickly so that trust is not an issue. This rapport and trust serves the patients and families well because they aren’t afraid to approach me if issues or new questions arise.
Active listening is another skill that has been honed since I became a nurse. This has been one of the most difficult skills to sharpen because I have an innate ability to tune out people, even those who are in close proximity to me. I have had to learn to focus my attention on what’s being said at that moment to prevent my mind from wandering. This skill is currently serving me well in the academic world as I pursue another degree.

Interests
I have a wide variety of interests but not a lot of time to pursue them, unfortunately. One of my favorite things is writing. When I was a little girl, I had several pen pals from foreign lands and corresponded with them for many years. When I matured into adolescence, I wrote silly poems about my job or family or pets. I was in my late thirties when I realized that I had the writing skills to pen a novel. Now I have two in the works.
Another love is teaching. I have always enjoyed sharing my knowledge and skills with others. I enjoy that moment of enlightenment when the student realizes what the teacher is trying to teach. Anytime students are assigned to my unit, I make a point of introducing myself and offering my assistance, whether they are assigned to my patients or not. After I graduate with my bachelor’s degree, I may pursue graduate school and a subsequent career as a nursing instructor[KH3] .

Accomplishments
Four accomplishments rank among the largest in my nursing career to date. First, I was selected to join the Magnet Committee for our hospital. This committee helps to educate the nursing staff about what Magnet means and cement our continued commitment to maintaining Magnet status. Second, I was also chosen to join the Safety Committee. This committee reviews medication mistakes made throughout the facility and devises methods to avoid these mistakes in the future. The committee also reviews current nursing practice to determine if more safe guidelines could be implemented. Third, I was chosen by my manager to participate on the Nurses’ Week Committee. This committee implemented a week-long celebration to honor the facility’s nursing staff. Fourth, I was admitted to the University of Virginia. I was extremely excited when I received the notification and am eagerly anticipating where my degree will lead me.

Conclusion
Looking at me is something I’ve never really enjoyed although it is a task that is constructive from time to time. Completing this self-assessment has confirmed my suspicion that I want to pursue higher education beyond my current pursuit. Completing the exercises required for the self-assessment has increased my confidence as a nurse as well by demonstrating that I have more knowledge and skills than I sometimes give myself credit.



References
Waddell, J., Donner, G., & Wheeler, M. (2009). Building your nursing career (3rd ed.). Toronto: Mosby Elsevier.
Waddell, J., Donner, G. J., & Wheeler, M. M. (2009). Building your nursing career: A Guide for students (3rd ed.). Ontario, Canada: Elsevier Canada.



[KH1]This is very impressive and will truly be an asset to your career

[KH2]You are not alone. Change and being the new man on the block is always humbling

[KH3]OK…we need to talk as we are looking at a new program that may interest you!





Career Self Assessment Paper
Name: Kimberely Strickland

Points

Total
Introduction
0.5
0.25
Vision - Description of your vision or picture of your future career
2
.5
Self-Assessment (33-40) – Values
1
1
Self-Assessment (33-40) - Knowledge and Skills
1
1
Self-Assessment (33-40) – Interests
1
1
Self-Assessment (33-40) – Accomplishments
1
1
Scanning the Environment (23)
2
0
Reality Check (from professional colleague)
2
0
Conclusion
0.5
0.5
APA: Paper, font, spacing, margins, indentations, seriation, paging, running heads, headings (not for introduction), title page (course title included), quotations, citations, reference page.
First person OK this paper; no bullets this paper
2
1
Grammar: periods, commas, semicolons, colons, dashes, hyphens, quotation marks, parentheses, slashes, capitalization, italics, numbers, verb tense, jargon, bias, pronouns, prepositions, spelling
2
2
Total
15
8.25=9.25

Comments:
Your values are unique. They will help you wherever you practice. Your self-assessment of your knowledge and skills was superb - honest, complete, and very well written. I am not surprised at all about your two novels. You write well, with good grammar, appropriate word choice, and an easy style. I do hope to read those novels soon. Your accomplishments are also commendable! You did a fantastic job with the pieces that you wrote, but you did not complete the assignment. I would have loved to read about your vision of being a nursing instructor under the heading ‘Vision.’ A scan of school and national trends would help to inform you about that vision – is it realistic? Does the ‘environment’ support teaching as a goal – faculty shortage, etc? In addition, a reality check from those you respect is critical in your assessment to confirm your strengths and point our areas for improvement. The content of your paper was wonderful; you simply needed more.

Kimberely, I can’t emphasize enough that APA is boring. It has no borders, it is ONLY 12 font, spacing is double always (not 1.5), and everything about it is prescribed. There is no creativity involved - no borders, no boxes, no large fonts, just plain formatting. When you write your papers, you need to have Perrin right beside you and do not stray from the examples given. Review the format for the running head. It is different between the title page and the remaining pages. The title on page 2 is simple 12 font centered. You were correct to cite Waddell on the reference page, but it must also be in your paper. A good place for this would be in the introduction. I noticed you did not include an introduction. In an introduction, you could state that you are using their model to complete your self-assessment. The reference page is also to be double-spaced. You did a great job with the headers. Again, your writing itself is outstanding!