Nursing Reflection Model

Reflection is an essential attribute for the development of autonomous, critical, and advanced practitioners (Mantzoukas and Jasper, 2004). It is academically supported that Reflection in nursing practice is an essential part of everyday clinical life. According to Chong (2009, p.112). Reflection allows not only nurses but individuals to re-think past situations that they have been in and help plan for similar situations that may arise in the future through the use of Reflection Models such as the Gibbs Reflective Cycle. For nursing practitioners this entails reflecting on interactions in the clinical environment in relation to colleagues, patients and families, and challenging situations. A reflective approach to clinical practice will allow

It was highlighted by Mantzoukas and Jasper (2004) that nursing practitioners came across reflection barriers as well as student nurses that took part in active reflection. According to Mantzoukas and Jasper (2004), nursing reflection was viewed by nurses as a tool to enhance professional knowledge and personal skills, but this was found to be of little use due to the limited ability of nursing staff to commence change. Mantzoukas and Jasper (2004) highlighted the reflective barrier of the relationship of nursing staff with medical doctors and staff- it found that nursing staff felt inferior to those positioned higher in the clinical chain of staffing. This was thought to be an important barrier to reflection as it prevented nurses from conveying their thoughts (Mantzoukas and Jasper, 2004). It is extremely important to recognise the barriers on reflection in nursing practice as it will allow for positive changes and outcomes in the nursing reflective process. However essential reflection is to the nursing profession, it can be difficult to find time to reflect during a busy clinical day; as nurses have very little time outside caring for patients to take time to discuss challenging situations that arose during the work day which may leave a large proportion of these situations on the minds of nursing staff throughout the day. According to O’Donovan (2006), nursing reflection is a purposeful thinking process for both nursing practitioners and student nurses which needs to be allocated proper time slots in order for accurate, beneficial and appropriate reflection to