Nursing Reflection

This article discusses the Gibbs reflective model and its application in nursing. It presents a critical clinical scenario and the steps taken to improve communication skills. The author reflects on their experiences during a placement at the cardiology ward in the Gold Coast University hospital.

Running head: NURSING REFLECTION
NURSING REFLECTION
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1NURSING REFLECTION
According to Asselin and Fain (2013), using the Gibbs reflective model helps nursing
professionals in gathering knowledge from their experiences and improve their skills and
abilities to promote positive outcome. As mentioned by Bulman and Schutz (2013), the Gibbs
Reflective Cycle comprises of six important steps that include, description, feelings,
evaluation, analysis, conclusion and developing an action plan. It is crucial to note here that
all the steps are increasingly important in order to reflect and gather experience based upon
the clinical incident. This reflective paper would describe my feelings and experiences
acquired during the placement period at the cardiology ward in the Gold Coast University
hospital.
I had the golden opportunity to work at the cardiology ward in the Gold Coast
University hospital for a period of two weeks. The nurses and the co-professionals were
extremely helpful and offered me assistance with complex clinical issues. I acquired a sound
knowledge about electronic cardiogram and telemetry. However I would like to reflect upon a
critical clinical scenario that helped me gather profound knowledge and strengthen my
decision making process. The following sections of the paper would present elaborate details
on the clinical incident in accordance to the sis stages of the Gibbs Reflective model.
Description:
I was in charge of taking care of a patient who had been experiencing cardiac failure
and the patient was experiencing intense pain. The situation was critical and the patient
needed to be hooked to a syringe to save his life.
Feelings:
I was feeling extremely nervous and anxious at the same time. The family members
of the patient were already broken and I was not being able to manage the medical condition
of the patient or provide family counselling in an efficient manner.

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Evaluation:
The patient was kept in ventilation and the condition of the patient was deteriorating. I
found it extremely difficult to convey the patient’s progress information to the family
members. I felt my communication skills were not strong enough to manage the clinical
scenario.
Analysis:
At that point of time, I should have acted in a professional manner and should have
consulted my superiors about how I could effectively communicate with the family members
of the patient. I should have administered effective family counselling to the family members
in order to mentally prepare them for the patient’s loss of life.
Conclusion:
The next morning, the patient passed away. The condition of the patient kept
deteriorating and despite the efforts made by the physicians and the nursing professionals, the
life of the patient could not be saved. On breaking the news of the death to the family
members of the patient, the situation became overtly unmanageable. The family members
could not be consoled and as a result other patients were also disturbed due to the continuous
mourning and wailing by the family members of the patient.
Action Plan:
In order to effectively equip myself with strong communication skills, I would
comply with the following action plan.
Course of action Time-Frame
Attend workshops and seminars on nursing
interpersonal communication and palliative
10 weeks

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care
Read academic materials on palliative care
and interpersonal communication
10 weeks

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References:
Asselin, M. E., & Fain, J. A. (2013). Effect of reflective practice education on self-reflection,
insight, and reflective thinking among experienced nurses: A pilot study. Journal for
nurses in professional development, 29(3), 111-119.
DOI:10.1097/NND.0b013e318291c0cc
Bulman, C., & Schutz, S. (Eds.). (2013). Reflective practice in nursing. John Wiley & Sons.
pp.67-70. Retrieved from: https://books.google.co.in/books?
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