Tim Hogan 

11 / 5 / 2022 

Adult Health I 

How I Made a Difference 

This semester in nursing school I have been assigned a clinical position at a local rehabilitation hospital. This has led to several instances where I get the privilege to care for patients as they recover and return to their normal lives. Fortunately, one patient interaction specifically stood out to me as meaningful for both the patient and me. I was able to connect with one patient on multiple occasions and felt that I was able to help the patient realize her needs and purpose.

One thing that made this patient interaction particularly important to me is because the day prior to my clinical, I had been working with an ambulance company and was given the task of bringing the patient from the original hospital to the rehabilitation hospital. During the transportation to the rehabilitation hospital the patient explained to me that she was nervous about moving facilities and that she was unsure of her ability to regain strength. I did my best to reassure her and informed her that the facility was one of the best in the area. Although she was grateful for my reassurance she was not completely convinced and still had reservations.  

The next day when I attended clinical, I was fortunate enough to be assigned to her region of the floor. I entered her room, and she recognized me and was visibly pleased to see me. I was able to be a familiar face for her to express concerns or fears too. I asked her how her first night was and if there was anything preventing her from being comfortable. She expressed great appreciation and told me how nice it was to see me again. I continued to check in on her throughout the day and I could tell she was beginning to feel more relaxed. 

This small connection meant that the patient had someone she genuinely cared about and took time to know and understand her situation. For me, this connection was special because I had not been able to provide continuous care in a situation like this previously.