Reflective Account

This essay seeks to critically analyse, reflect on and evaluate the effectiveness of my clinical placement area in delivery and management of the nursing care to a patient during the whole shift. The use of evidence based research on issues like clinical judgement, decision making and problem solving skills and communication with other health care professionals in enhancing care delivery will be espoused. Driscoll’s (2000) The What? Model of reflection will be highlighted and used in the process. A critical evaluation of my contribution to the health improvement of the patient through health promotion will be made. My limitations and learning needs as a result reflection will be identified and highlighted. An account detailing the shift in which I cared for the patient will be included. The essay will initiate by defining the word reflection and explaining how it can be used to inform practice.

Reid (1993) cited in Sully and Dallas (2005) defines reflection as a process of reviewing an experience of practice in order to describe, analyse, evaluate it and so inform future practice. Johns (2000) cited in Hinchliff et al (2003) states that reflection is a window through which practitioners can view and focus self within the context of her own lived experiences in ways that help her to confront, understand and work towards resolving the contradictions within her practice between what is desirable and actual practice. Reflection can influence practice by questioning why outcomes occur and by extending the reflector’s knowledge

base by encouraging research. Skills required for the process of reflection for learning include self awareness, the ability to describe experiences, to critically analyse situations and to evaluate learning ( ). The use of the reflection as a learning tool enhances our observational skills thereby helping us developing our professional effectiveness (Jasper, 2003).

The process of reflection occurs within a cyclical framework...