BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF REFLECTION IN AN UNDERGRADUATE NURSING PROGRAMME

ISABEL DOSSER AND JACKIE NICOL

EDINBURGH NAPIER UNIVERSITY

SEPTEMBER 2013

AIM

To share personal and professional experience of facilitating reflection in an undergraduate programme

To discuss the benefits and challenges of facilitating reflection for student nurses

SIGHTHILL CAMPUS

BACKGROUND Reflection is a key component of the

undergraduate programme at Edinburgh Napier University

1500 students currently on the programme

Reflection is timetabled in every practice placement module

Key requirement of the Nursing and Midwifery Council

HOW?

Individual – with e.g. reflective diary, reflective account in placement books, theory modules

Recommended reading in theory trimesters

One to one- e.g. Mentor, academic staff or peers

Group- e.g. Classroom setting, practice placements

WHEN?

At beginning of programme

Personal development sessions – one to one

Individually in practice

Formal group reflection embedded within placements throughout three year programme

WHERE?

In practice with mentors and peers

Out with practice

In University

BENEFITS

Encourages reflective practitioners

Raises self awareness

Enhances personal development

Good learning tool

Group discussion can promote an in depth approach to learning

Shared learning

CHALLENGES

Challenges for students in practice

Lack of insight

Lack of motivation

Lack of time

Consequences of reflection

Lack of engagement/encouragement from mentors

Inconsistency in approaches to facilitation

Distractions in the environment

Tiredness

CHALLENGES

Challenges for facilitators

Awareness of learning styles

Awareness and understanding of theory

Environment

Time in practice/university

Attendance at ENU is not mandatory for adult learners (including reflection sessions)

Maintaining a consistent approach within school of nursing

SUCCESS!

A personal student from the September 09 BN (Adult) cohort, developed a paper which was published in July.

Powley, D. (2013) Reducing violence and aggression in the emergency department Emergency Nurse 21 (4): 26-29

ON REFLECTION

There are a number of benefits and challenges when facilitating large numbers of students

Motivated students and facilitators overcome practical obstacles

Personal experience confirms that many students benefit from varied

Many students flourish and complete the programme as reflective practitioners

Diolch

Thank You