Reflection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Reflection - Essay Example This paper is based on an actual experience during my community placement with a patient I shall refer to as Mr. Smith (not his real name). To protect his identity and in accordance with patient confidentiality, his real name shall not be used in this reflection (Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2008). Reflective practice is the process of thinking about one’s actions in the clinical setting and taking responsibility for improving one’s professional skills. Taylor (2006) mentions that reflection allows a person to review the positive aspects of one’s actions in the clinical setting and to build on such achievements in order to identify areas which require improvement. The nursing profession is a dynamic and ever-changing profession and according to the Department of Health (DOH, 2004) and the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG, 2002), nurses have to expand their knowledge in order to improve their practice. A discussion by Jasper (2003), pointed out that knowledge gain ed from reflection fills in the gaps between theory and practice. This is crucial to nurses because continuous development is an important part of clinical governance (Royal College of Nursing, 2003). In effect, reflective practice helps improve the quality of care delivered to patients. The topic was chosen in order to demonstrate professional development in the communication skills seen in the delivery of patient care. This development would assist in evaluating patient advocacy in the multi-professional team. It would also help ensure that a nursing practitioner is able to identify the gaps in her communication skills with the patient. Gibbs, reflective cycle There are different reflective frameworks which were considered for this assignment; these frameworks also provide useful guidance in reflection. However, the Gibbs Reflective Cycle was chosen because it is familiar and helps provide a structured and simplistic cycle. Bulman (2008) however argues that the Gibbs Reflective Cy cle is too broad and it implies an incoherent reflective process. Nevertheless, this reflective cycle is the most appropriate cycle to apply because it includes specific elements of the experience which allow reflective processes to change and improve clinical practice (Johns, 2004). In establishing a framework for reflection, it is important to note that the reflective process is an intellectual and an affective experience which involves the process of exploring one’s experience in order to successfully initiate change (Bulman, 2004). It is therefore important for a reflection to lead to change in one’s behavior and clinical practice. Without adequate guidance in the process, the student or learner might not be able successfully learn from the reflective process (Benner, 1994). With the guided help of my mentors and more experienced clinical practitioners they would help ensure that I would be able to pass through the reflective process and learn from his reflection. 1. Description of the event During my placement with the District nursing team, my mentor asked me to accompany her to a gentleman’s house in order to carry out an assessment and to explain what services were available. Before the interview, I dressed professionally and appropriately, making sure that my uniform was crisp and clean and my hair was arranged properly. The referral came from his wife, and not from the patient, as the patient was recently discharged from the hospital.