Reflective practice: what, why and how

Abstract

The context in which nursing occurs has changed markedly in the last two decades. As a result of advances in nursing and medical knowledge, and reduced government spending (which has led to a reduction in hospital beds, shorter hospital stays and more rapid patient turnovers), workers in healthcare institutions are spending much more of their time dealing with acutely ill patients who require specialised care (Usher et al 2001). In order to function in these complex environments practitioners are required to constantly 'refresh and update their knowledge and skills, and frame and solve complex patient and healthcare problems' (Mann, Gordon & Macleod 2009:595-6). This can cause feelings of concern or confusion, but it also offers us an opportunity to reconceptualise our profession by making it more responsive and reflective of the needs of society (lauder, Meehan & Moxham 2004). The role of the nurse is also influenced by cultural, social, economic, historical and political constraints that all affect the ways in which nurses approach and react to certain situations (Taylor 2010). It is a given that society expects nurses to practise safely and to undertake what is necessary to keep up-to-date. Reflection helps us to self-correct where the notion of continuous improvement becomes habitual to our practice (Usher, Foster & Stewart 2012).