critical relfection

The concept of critical reflection is defined by looking back on past experiences, learning and gaining better knowledge and understanding. It is a fact that critical reflection is a vital part of nursing and has been found to optimize patient care and therefore is a fundamental part of the nursing industry. This essay will explain and further discuss the concept of critical reflection, the purpose of critical reflection, why it is essential for Nurses and furthermore what tools and methods can be used for critical reflection.
The purpose of critical reflection is about connecting personal learning and ways of knowing with other types of learning and knowledge (International Practice Development 2013) critical reflection also helps with learning and making alternative decisions to open opportunities and gives Nurses a further insight and perspective into patients including their history, cultural backgrounds and social factors as they are able to go beyond physical appearance and understand the patient .
Reflective practice is important for everyone - and nurses in particular, nurses are constantly being encouraged to be reflective practitioners (Nursing Times.net, 2004) Nurses go through the method of analyzing, reconsidering and questioning experiences therefore critical reflection is important for the reason that Nurses will build rational thoughts about experiences to understand and gain better a perspective and insight for the future.
After reading the National Competency Standards For Registered Nurses (January 2006) which states, reflecting on practice, feelings and beliefs and the consequences of these for the individual/ groups is an important professional benchmark, hence nurses need to be able to critically reflect on past events that may otherwise be unpleasant to the individual/ group and evaluate the situation and learn from it.
There are countless of tools available. Sue Duke (2008) said, it is important for nurses to find a way to