Journal Entries Example Paper

Section 1

This week I spent my volunteer time with a special needs child learning about his care requirements and the position of a caregiver. He had an intravenous tube inserted to help with his hydration and medication administration. In addition, he had a tracheostomy tube inserted to help with his breathing. Besides that, he had a gastronomy (G-tube) inserted through a hole in the stomach to help with giving the oral medication and formula. Journal Entries Example Paper The patient’s mother was the patient’s primary source of custodial care. She was more knowledgeable about his care needs and helped me in understanding his care needs and the role of a caregiver by home teaching me about the needs of her son. I focused on learning how to use the G-tube to administer oral medication and formula. In addition, I learned how to bathe the patient taking into account his gastronomy, intravenous and tracheostomy tubes as well as other medical equipment attached to him. I found that while using the G-tube was a lesson on technic, bathing the patient was the most challenge event. I had to ensure that even as he was bathed, the medical equipment remained attached, free from contamination, and was not disturbed. Also, I conducted a simple task such as taking his temperature, blood pressure and pulse in an hourly basis. Additionally, I engaged the patient in social activities such as playing video games and reading. Furthermore, I looked over the medication list and ensured that it was always updated with the necessary signatures and ensured that the care nurses signed on and off at the scheduled time with the time sheets. Moreover, I got the opportunity to review the MAR (medication administration record) to ensure that medication was administered as scheduled and correct doses were always available. Overall, I spent this week’s learning, providing, and appreciating the concept of home care.

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Section 2

This week’s volunteer activity was an eye opening and fascinating experience. It was an eye-opening experience since it allowed me to appreciate the understanding of home care from the family’s perspective. I have an interest in continuing a counseling career in the church setting, an interest for which I am currently continuing to higher my education and believe that I will routinely encounter similar experiences. Although this was a single experience with home-based care and cannot turn me into an expert on the subject, it was a true experience as it made me aware of the difficulties that home care providers face. I find this useful knowledge for the counseling role. I see the volunteer experience as an opportunity to gain leadership knowledge. Looking over the nurse’s schedules truly tested my leadership skills, specifically the ability to remain calm and in control of situations even when faced with disastrous outcomes. Besides that, the experience allowed me to observe how parents interact with their children and nurses in home care situations. While this case does not represent all home care cases, still its value cannot be misjudging the importance of staying focused, solving problems and studying the patterns of physical health with the mental health of all people involved. In a very stressful environment and without medical knowledge, it forces the mother to become an expert in taking care of her son, taking responsibility and becoming a leader. The volunteering experience has provided a healthy boost to my life satisfaction, self-esteem and self-confidence, not to talk of providing me with a sense of identity and pride as well as a sense of accomplishment.  Journal Entries Example Paper