2025 Case Study: A Challenging Shift NSG305

INSTRUCTIONS:

Length: 2000 words (+/- 10%)

Using one of the reflection models described in

https://www.ajan.com.au/index.php/AJAN/article/view/395/141

Students are to reflection on the provided case study about whistleblowing (case study below). You are you will need to draw out two key features (one ethical and one legal issue) and provide an analysis of these issues. You will write a 400 word reflection using your chosen model, which will be attached as an Appendix to your essay (we will discuss how to do this in class). Your reflection should focus on putting yourself in the shoes of the student nurse in the case study, thinking about how the scenario would make you feel with respect to the issues you have chosen to focus on and the challenges you would personally face in dealing with those issues.

Your brief analysis will form the first 100 words of your essay (under the analysis section), explaining the two issues you have chosen. Avoid first person in the text of the essay, so no sentences like "I have chosen XX issues because.......................... " (for the reflection in the Appendix, first person is fine). Students are to identify which standards and laws have been breached in the case study. Note that there are many examples in the case study, but students are to choose only two to focus on (500 words - 250 words per issue as a guide). Investigate the literature to identify interventions that could be used to support whistleblowing nurses (500 words). The submission should include an introduction and conclusion.

Please use headings throughout. APA referencing must be used for both intext references and the reference list

See below suggested essay structure:

Title of the essay (this heading should be centred to comply with APA formatting requirements)

Introduction (these headings will be left aligned to comply with APA formatting - 250 words)

Analysis (500 words)

Recommendations (500 words)

Conclusion (250 words)

Appendix A: Reflection (start on a new page, heading centred - 500 words)

2025 Case Study: A Challenging Shift

I flopped onto the couch, and Mum asked, How was your shift? I sighed, knowing I had a lot on my mind. It was pretty intense today, I said. I saw a few things that really got me thinking about what being a nurse means, legally and ethically.

First off, there was Mr. Johnson, an older guy with dementia. His dementia was bad, but not bad enough that he couldnt make his own decisions. The nurse was super rushed and didnt explain what she was doing before inserting a catheter. He looked so uncomfortable, and I remembered were supposed to always respect patients and get their consent. He kept yelling at her to stop. It felt wrong and made me wonder about the legal stuff, like what happens if you dont follow those rules.

Then, I noticed another student nurse taking photos of the ward, and some had confidential info on the walls. Later, I saw them on her social media. Privacy is a huge deal, and it felt really inappropriate. Posting something like that could lead to serious legal trouble for breaching patient confidentiality. I dont want to tell anyone about it though I dont want to get anyone in trouble.

Another incident involved an EN nurse who gave an injection she wasnt qualified to give. It was surprising because I thought everyone was careful about sticking to their scope of practice. This could definitely lead to legal consequences if something went wrong with the patient.

Then there was a medication error. A nurse gave the wrong dose to a patient, and a medical emergency was called. The patient ended up in a coma. It was terrifying and heartbreaking to see. This is exactly why were drilled on the five rights of medication administration in class. Making mistakes like that doesnt just have serious health consequencesits also a huge legal liability.

Mum asked how I felt about all this. I shrugged. Honestly, its a lot to take in. It shows how much responsibility nurses have. Its not just knowing the medical stuff but also really understanding the ethical and legal sides. It can be pretty scary.