040323A Practical Approach To Promote Reflective Practice Within Nursing
CLINICAL
ADVANCED
A practical approach to promote reflective practice within nursing
Boud, D. et al (1985) Reflection: turning experience into learning.
London: Kogan Page.
Bright, B. (1996) Reflecting on reflective practice. Studies in the
Education of Adults; 28: 2, 162–184.
Brookfield, S. (1994) Tales from the dark side: a phenomenography of adult critical reflection. International Journal of Lifelong Education; 13: 3, 203–216.
Buckingham, M., Clifton, D.O. (2001)
Now, Discover your Strengths.
London: Simon and Schuster.
Nurses are constantly being encouraged to be reflective practitioners. While many articles have been written on the subject (Freshwater and Rolfe, 2001; Burns and
Bulman, 2000; Burton, 2000; Taylor, 2000; Palmer, 1999;
Boud et al, 1985) there is little practical advice for nurses on how to reflect critically. Broad frameworks for reflection have been offered by theorists such as Benner and
Wrubel (1989), Gibbs (1988), and Johns (2000). The Johns model identifies particular areas of reflective practice:
● Describing an experience significant to the learner;
● Identifying personal issues arising from the experience;
● Pinpointing personal intentions;
● Empathising with others in the experience;
● Recognising one’s own values and beliefs;
● Linking this experience with previous experiences;
● Creating new options for future behaviour;
● Looking at ways to improve working with patients, families, and staff in order to meet patients’ needs.
What is reflection?
Reflection is the examination of personal thoughts and actions. For practitioners this means focusing on how they interact with their colleagues and with the environment to obtain a clearer picture of their own behaviour.
It is therefore a process by which practitioners can better understand themselves in order to be able to build on existing strengths and take appropriate future action.
And the word ‘action’ is vital. Reflection is not ‘navelgazing’. Its aim is to develop
ADVANCED
A practical approach to promote reflective practice within nursing
Boud, D. et al (1985) Reflection: turning experience into learning.
London: Kogan Page.
Bright, B. (1996) Reflecting on reflective practice. Studies in the
Education of Adults; 28: 2, 162–184.
Brookfield, S. (1994) Tales from the dark side: a phenomenography of adult critical reflection. International Journal of Lifelong Education; 13: 3, 203–216.
Buckingham, M., Clifton, D.O. (2001)
Now, Discover your Strengths.
London: Simon and Schuster.
Nurses are constantly being encouraged to be reflective practitioners. While many articles have been written on the subject (Freshwater and Rolfe, 2001; Burns and
Bulman, 2000; Burton, 2000; Taylor, 2000; Palmer, 1999;
Boud et al, 1985) there is little practical advice for nurses on how to reflect critically. Broad frameworks for reflection have been offered by theorists such as Benner and
Wrubel (1989), Gibbs (1988), and Johns (2000). The Johns model identifies particular areas of reflective practice:
● Describing an experience significant to the learner;
● Identifying personal issues arising from the experience;
● Pinpointing personal intentions;
● Empathising with others in the experience;
● Recognising one’s own values and beliefs;
● Linking this experience with previous experiences;
● Creating new options for future behaviour;
● Looking at ways to improve working with patients, families, and staff in order to meet patients’ needs.
What is reflection?
Reflection is the examination of personal thoughts and actions. For practitioners this means focusing on how they interact with their colleagues and with the environment to obtain a clearer picture of their own behaviour.
It is therefore a process by which practitioners can better understand themselves in order to be able to build on existing strengths and take appropriate future action.
And the word ‘action’ is vital. Reflection is not ‘navelgazing’. Its aim is to develop
References: Schon, D.A. (1995) The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think Taylor, B.J. (2000) Reflective Practice: a Guide for Nurses and Midwives. UKCC (1992) Code of Professional Conduct