Week 2

Week 2 –

Some aspects of journaling are becoming clearer, and I can begin to see how it is a positive and affirming aspect of nursing. I re-read the article given to us and found that Stoltenberg and Delworth (1987) state that there are eight growth areas –
*intervention
*skills competence
*assessment techniques
*interpersonal assessment
*client conceptualization
*individual difference
*theoretical orientation
*treatment goals and plans
*professional ethics

What I am beginning to realize is that journaling is more than words on paper – it is a summary of what happened in your day; dealing with clients, dealing with co-workers, dealings with supervisors, dealing with families – and it becomes a place to put it all down. Our emotions affect our choices, and if we journal it may aid in releasing these emotions by putting them on paper. I believe that this becomes part of the ownership of nursing.

My fear with journaling is that it will become a “dear diary” of sorts. While I continue to grow and mature in my professional career, my hope is also to develop the skills to be as professional in my journal. This way I can return to it and see strategies and different ways to perform my tasks, and see it less as a “here is what I did today” and more of a “here is what I can learn from today”.

This is my first venture into a true profession, and I wonder how experienced nurses feel about journaling. Will I be working with a CS that embraces this idea? Will they understand the merits of it? Will it be looked upon as a learning tool? Although this is only week two, I see journaling as a way of measuring growth – and my hope is that journaling will also increase my mental health. As I help others find balance in their lives, I also will find it in mine through reflection, introspection, emotional outlet and skills that I am learning that journaling will provide for me.