Showcase Artifact 3

Skill: Post Op Patient Care

Artifact 1 – Honors Capstone Rotation (Pediatric Post-Op / GI / Trauma Unit)

During my Honors Capstone rotation, I completed 108 clinical hours on a pediatric post-operative GI and trauma unit. This experience strengthened my ability to assess and monitor patients during the critical recovery period after surgery. I practiced postoperative assessments including pain evaluation, monitoring vital signs, assessing surgical sites, and recognizing early signs of complications such as bleeding, infection, or respiratory changes.

Working with pediatric patients also required adapting communication and care strategies to meet developmental needs and support families. This experience helped me integrate classroom knowledge with real-time clinical decision-making, prioritize patient safety, and collaborate with the interdisciplinary healthcare team.

Through this artifact, I demonstrate growth in clinical assessment, patient monitoring, interdisciplinary communication, and family-centered care within the postoperative environment.

Artifact 2 – Post-Operative Care Experience as a Nursing Intern

Over three years working as a nursing intern, I gained extensive hands-on experience caring for patients recovering from surgical procedures. In this role, I supported nurses with postoperative monitoring, mobility assistance, pain management support, and patient education.

This long-term experience helped me develop strong clinical intuition and workflow management, as I regularly observed how nurses detect subtle changes in patient status. I also learned the importance of early mobilization, proper wound care, and monitoring intake/output to prevent complications.

Consistent exposure to postoperative recovery allowed me to become comfortable in fast-paced clinical environments while strengthening teamwork, communication, and patient advocacy skills.

This artifact reflects the development of practical bedside skills and confidence in caring for postoperative patients.

Artifact 3 – Honors Contract Research Project: Post-Operative Sleep Hygiene

For my Honors contract project, I researched post-operative sleep hygiene and its impact on recovery outcomes. This project explored how sleep disturbances after surgery can affect healing, pain perception, and patient recovery.

Through reviewing current literature and developing evidence-based recommendations, I gained experience translating research findings into clinical practice. The project highlighted how interventions such as reducing nighttime disruptions, optimizing pain control, and supporting circadian rhythms can improve postoperative outcomes.

This artifact demonstrates my ability to connect research with clinical care, emphasizing evidence-based practice in postoperative nursing. It also strengthened my skills in critical appraisal of literature, academic writing, and applying research to patient care.