The purpose of this essay is to reflect and critically study an incident from a clinical setting whilst using a model of reflection. This will allow me to analyse and make sense of the incident and draw conclusions relating to personal learning outcomes. The significance of critical analysis and critical incidents will briefly be discussed followed by the process of reflection using the chosen model. The incident will then be described and analysed and the people involved introduced. (The names of the people involved have been changed to protect their privacy) and then I will examine issues raised in light of the recent literature relating to the incident. My essay will include a discussion of communication, interpersonal skills used in the incident, and finally evidence based practice. I will conclude with explaining what I have learned from the experience and how it will change my future actions. In accordance with the 2002 Nursing and Midwifery Council, the clients' details and placement setting has not been disclosed in order to maintain confidentiality. Critical incidents are snapshots of something that happens to a patient, their family or nurse. It may be something positive, or it could be a situation where someone has suffered in some way (Rich & Parker 2001). Reflection and analysis of critical incidents is widely regarded as a valuable learning tool for nurses. The practice requires us to explore our actions and feelings and examine evidence-based literature, thus bridging the gap between theory and practice (Bailey 1995). It also affords us the opportunity of changing our way of thinking or practicing, for when we reflect on an incident we can learn valuable lessons from what did and did not work. In this way we develop self-awareness and skills in critical thinking and problem solving (Rich & Parker 2001). Critical incidents ??? "To be self aware is to be conscious of one's character, including beliefs, values, qualities, strengths and limitation. It is about knowing oneself" (Burnard 1992). I am going to use Gibbs (1988) Reflective Cycle. This because Gibbs is clear and precise allowing for description, analysis and evaluation of the experience helping the reflective practitioner to make sense of experiences and examine their practice. Taking action is the key; Gibbs prompts to formulate an action plan. This enables the reflective practitioner to look at their practice and see what they would change in the future, how they would develop/improve their practice. Gibbs (1988) consists of six stages to complete one cycle which is able to improve my nursing practice continuously and learning from the experience for better practice in the future.
Through the utilisation of the accompanying text, I aim to discuss and reflect upon one person’s care, to which I have had previous involvement. Using the perspectives set out by Chapelhow et al (2005), I aim to gain a broader outlook on what is expected of me as a Student Nurse. Chapelhow et al (2005) has identified six skills that they feel are required of every Health Care Practitioner. These skills are defined as ‘enablers’ as they are fundamental skills that provide the means for expert professional practice (Chapelhow et al 2005). Although there are six skills outlined, I will only be using two of them to analyse the care I provided. I have chosen to use communication and risk management as my two enablers.
Critical thinking and knowledge are the foundation of nursing practice, and the most essential elements in providing quality nursing care. Nu...
The article “Promoting the 6Cs of Nursing in Patient Assessment” by Clarke (2014), is one that covers the different elements of patient assessment, how critical thinking is required in assessment and how nurses can integrate caring into their nursing process, primarily during patient assessment. Patient assessment is the first part of the nursing process and requires the nurse to collect objective and subject information for analysis that can be then attributed to a nursing diagnosis (Potter et al., 2014). Even after a diagnosis has been made, nurses must continue to assess and analyze their patients in order to ensure the patient is in good condition and that treatment is going as planned (Potter et al., 2014). In the case of critical thinking, it is “a complex phenomenon that can be defined as a process and as a set of skills” and often focuses on sound logic and reasoning (Potter et al., 2014, p. 141). The definition of Caring differs somewhat depending on the theorist, but in essence it boils down to a concept central to nursing that requires the nurse to support the patient in their health,
Nurses in the general ward are faced with patients who are at high risk of clinical deterioration. A qualitative study using critical incident technique was conducted to distinguish the need to improve the ability of front line nurses in recognizing and responding to deteriorating patients through nursing education and modifications of clinical processes.
In this reflective assignment, I am going to be discussing a critical incident encountered in practice early 2015. My second point will focus on reflection; define reflection, types of reflection used and why it is important to reflect in practice. I will apply Driscoll model of reflection. (Driscoll, 2007 cited in Nunn, 2012). Under critical incident, I will define and explain our feelings during the time of incident and what was implemented after the incident. Martin (2014) defines critical incident as an event or episode that deviates from the expected or desired cause and could have potentially negative effects for patients care and safety. The incident shocked and left the staff that was on duty traumatized, but at
Hillard, C. (2006) ‘Using structured reflection on a critical incident to develop a personal portfolio’, Nursing Standard Vol 21(2) 35-40
The ability to become reflective in practice has become a necessary skill for health professionals. This is to ensure that health professionals are continuing with their daily learning and improving their practice. Reflective practice plays a big part in healthcare today and is becoming increasingly noticed.
Rolfe, Gary; Freshwater, Dawn; Jasper, Melanie (2001). Critical reflection for nursing and the helping professions: a user's guide. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire; New York: Palgrave. pp. 26–35
Definitions of reflection vary depending on the discipline of the author. Having reviewed the literature, Bulman (2008, p.2), a nurse, defines it as “reviewing an experience from practice so that it may be described, analysed, evaluated and used to inform and change future practice”. It is a personal process requiring honesty, openness, self-awareness, courage and a willingness to act on criticism. It acknowledges that feelings and emotions influence actions. Critical reflection involves in depth examination and questioning of personal, social, historical, cultural and political assumptions and perspectives that are embedded in actions. It is an active process enabling one to make sense of events, situations and actions that occur in the workplace (Oelofsen, 2012). It transforms a situation in which there is confusion and doubt to one that is clear and coherent (Dewey, 2010).
This assignment focuses on an incident which was experienced during a community placement. The patient suffered from bowel cancer, my mentor and I were visiting her to change her dressing. The names of people have been changed to ensure confidentiality Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, 2008). Gibbs (1988) cited in Jasper (2013) will be used as the reflective model because it is simple and, easy to understand. Through the model’s six key stages I will describe my experience and how I maintained dignity while giving personal care to patients in the community. Writing a reflective account makes one relive their thoughts and, feelings and make appropriate changes when required (Howaston-Jones, 2013).
Middleton, J. (2004). A Practical To Promote Reflective Practice Within Nursing .Retrieved March 31, 2004 from www.nursingtimes.net.
It may have been something you did differently that had a positive result and you may conclude you would do it again upon reflection. The most important part of reflection is making sense of situations and events that occur so that our decision making and any actions we take lead to good, effective practice. Nurses have to keep a record of their continued professional development. At annual reviews, nurses are able to present evidence of their development through a portfolio which should contain reflective accounts of their practice. These reflective accounts will help them identify strengths and weaknesses, highlight their performance, improve their skills and highlight any areas that could be developed.
During my Bachelor of Nursing Clinical placement, I encountered many clinical events however, there one particular event occurred during my first two weeks that will be discussed in this reflection using the Gibbs’ model of reflection. This was the first time conducting a full set of observations on a patient entirely at my own doing, with my preceptor supervising. The observation round began patient in bed, I proceeded to introduce myself as Annie a student nurse, then asked for consent and explained the procedure to the patient. Patient confirmed that it was okay for me to continue on to do her observations so I proceeded to start the observations with the supervision of my preceptor. I was feeling prepared however, still having moments of
We have the freedom to “feel” meaning that we are entitled to our own emotions. In my opinion, to be self-aware is to know oneself. Self-awareness is to understand your strengths and weaknesses and your ability to motivate yourself to be greater. It will also give you a clear picture of how other’s perceive you and helps you to understand others as well because you have the ability to relate.
“Self-awareness is a psychological state in which people are aware of their traits, feelings and behaviour. Alternatively, it can be defined as the realisation of oneself as an individual entity.” (Crisp & Turner, 2010). In other words, self awareness is recognising one’s personality which includes strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, beliefs and emotions.