University of Notre Dame, NURS1013: Reflection in Nursing Practice

This essay explores the crucial role of reflection in the professional development of registered nurses. It emphasizes how critical self-reflection enhances nurses' knowledge, teamwork, and patient care. The essay synthesizes multiple studies to demonstrate that reflective practice enables nurses to better understand patient needs, plan personalized interventions, and delegate tasks effectively. It highlights the impact of reflection on reducing stress, increasing competency, and fostering leadership skills. The conclusion reinforces the essential nature of reflection for ongoing professional growth, improved patient outcomes, and overall positive impacts on nursing practice. The essay is written based on the assignment brief for the NURS1013 course at the University of Notre Dame.

Running head:HEALTH RESEARCH
Reflection for Professional Development in Registered Nurses
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1HEALTH RESEARCH
Introduction and Thesis Statement
Reflecting on actions and experiences is an integral part of life, and in a high-
stakes profession such as nursing, the role of self-reflection and criticism is
undeniable. Learning from the reflection of one’s experiences is critical for
professional development (Miraglia & Asselin, 2015). This essay aims to shed light
on the role of reflection in the professional development of registered nurses.
The practice of reflecting on experiences amongst the registered nurse
providing active patient care in a medical setting has proven to be extremely helpful
in providing good patient care and ensuring best possible outcomes.
Ideas and Supporting Statement
Multiple studies have shown that reflection is a process of critically analysing
a person’s experience that has impact on patient outcomes. In an integrative review
conducted by analysing 25 articles, it was seen that for a nurse, reflecting on her
actions increase knowledge. In a team, it enables teamwork and cooperation
between the nurses (Miraglia & Asselin, 2015).
Being a registered nurse requires commitment and the ability to transform
oneself and grow with experience. It has been observed that using reflection as a
learning tool has proven to be helpful as it is more than just a thoughtful process. It
creates learning situations for the individuals and the nurses can apply their insight
to a similar situation in the future. It is indispensable for students in order to learn
how to adapt and is currently encouraged at professional and educational settings
(Jootun & McGarry, 2014).
Using the evidence-based findings in nursing intervention has often proven
helpful and had a positive impact on both the nurses and the patients. These findings

2HEALTH RESEARCH
are acquired via reflection. In a study conducted amongst nurses caring for ageing
adults, it was seen that using reflection as a key tool for planning nursing
interventions for the elderly was an efficient way to provide the best possible care.
Most nurse lack proper and specialised training to care for the elderly and adapting
through practice is the best possible solution to that. It made the nurses gain a better
perception of their patients and increased their work satisfaction (Dubé & Ducharme,
2014).
Registered nurses have a vast variety of duties, including providing
personalised care to the patients as well as delegating tasks to nurses who are
qualified. Using the process of reflection helps them to understand the patient’s
needs and understand what needs to be done in order to ensure the best patient
outcomes. It has been seen that self-reflection increases the competency of a
professional as well as reduces stress levels (Pai, 2015).
As a nursing leader, a registered nurse must engage in reflective teaching as
well. Encouraging self-reflection while practising the same is crucial to being a
successful and competent nursing leader. Reflective learning and practice help to
cooperation within the team while ensuring the best possible patient outcomes
(Wald, 2015).
Conclusion
From this essay, it can be concluded that reflection is essential in the
progression of the professional lives of registered nurses. Critical reflection helps in
increasing professional knowledge individually and helps the nurses understand their
patients better. This helps them plan personalised intervention for each patient and

3HEALTH RESEARCH
delegate the tasks to the best-qualified nurse in the team. This ensures the best
patient outcomes and has an overall positive impact on practice.

4HEALTH RESEARCH
Reference
Dubé, V., & Ducharme, F. (2014). Evaluation of a reflective practice intervention to
enhance hospitalised elderly care: A mixed method study. Journal for nurses
in professional development, 30(1), 34-41.
Jootun, D., & McGarry, W. (2014). Reflection in nurse education. Journal of Nursing
& Care, 3(2).
Miraglia, R., & Asselin, M. E. (2015). Reflection as an educational strategy in nursing
professional development: An integrative review. Journal for nurses in
professional development, 31(2), 62-72.
Pai, H. C. (2015). The effect of a self-reflection and insight program on the nursing
competence of nursing students: a longitudinal study. Journal of Professional
Nursing, 31(5), 424-431.
Wald, H. S. (2015). Professional identity (trans) formation in medical education:
reflection, relationship, resilience. Academic Medicine, 90(6), 701-706.