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Reflective writing

Reflective writing is a valuable tool in nursing education, enabling you to critically assess your experiences and integrate theoretical knowledge with clinical practice and practical application. This guide aims to provide you with a clear understanding of reflective writing and offer practical steps to effectively engage in this practice.

The Rolfe et al. (2001) model offers a framework for reflection, structured around three key questions: What? So what? Now what?

The What? part describes the situation. So what? analyses what happened and explained it. Use references to support the analysis. Now what? determines how this experience will influence future practice

What?

Describe

Begin by detailing the specific situation or event you are reflecting upon. Consider the following:

  • What happened during the experience?
  • Who was involved?
  • What did you notice (5 senses)?
  • What was your role?
  • What actions did you take?
  • What were the outcomes?
  • What do you feel about what happened?

Example: During my clinical placement, I assisted in administering medication to a patient. I noticed that what was being prepared was different to the prescribed dosage.

So what?

Analyse

Analyse the significance of the experience and its implications. Use your theory and knowledge to aid in analysis.

Reflect on:

  • Why did it happen this way?
  • What did you learn about your practice?
  • How can the results be explained? How do they compare to literature?
  • How did it affect you emotionally and professionally?
  • How did this relate to your past experiences?

Example: This situation highlighted the importance of vigilance in medication administration as the incorrect dosage/ medication could severely affect the patient's health.  It made me aware of potential gaps in communication within the healthcare team.

Now what?

Action

Determine how this experience will influence your further practice. Consider:

  • What have I learned?
  • What will you do differently in similar situations?
  • What strategies can you implement to improve?
  • Are there areas you need further learning or support?
  • How and where might you use your new knowledge and competencies?

Example: I plan to double-check medication orders against patient charts and consult with colleagues when discrepancies arise. I will also seek additional training on medication safety protocols.

Tips for effective reflective writing

  • Be honest. Authenticity in your reflections leads to meaningful insights.
  • Maintain confidentiality. Avoid using real names or identifiable information about patients and colleagues.
  • Link theory to practice. Connect your experiences to nursing theories and evidence-based practice.
  • Be selective. Not everything has to be included but capture the key events or ideas.

Conclusion

Reflective writing, guided by the Rolfe et al. model, is an essential component of nursing education. It empowers you to learn from you experiences, adapt your practice, and continually strive for excellence in patient care.

This page is an adaptation of Reflective writing by Otago Polytechnic and is used under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license. Changes include rewriting some of the passages and adding original material