Reflection on Dissertation Process: A Nursing Student's Experience

This reflection paper details a nursing student's experience with their dissertation, specifically a systematic review. The paper employs the Driscoll reflective model to explore the student's journey, highlighting the 'What,' 'So What,' and 'Now What' aspects of the process. It discusses the initial feelings, challenges such as formulating a research question, and the extensive research required. The student reflects on the use of tools like the JBI appraisal and extraction tool and emphasizes the development of skills in research, methodology, and analysis. The reflection concludes with the student's newfound confidence in conducting research and writing dissertations, as well as the personal growth achieved through the experience. The paper also underscores the importance of research in nursing to improve patient experiences and enhance clinical practice.

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Reflection Paper
Introduction
It is essential to point out that many things can be learned in a classroom as well as
formal academic study. However, reflective practice is considered as the best way of acquiring
experience. Consequently, this is because reflective learning is regarded to be a type of a lifelong
process that is often used to promote the continued development of a nurse (Baird and Winter
143). This paper proposes to discuss the procedures of my dissertation assignment through the
use of Driscoll reflective model.
What?
Primarily, the overall undertaking of a particular project or dissertation particularly in the
form of a systematic review is likely to conjure various feelings emotions as well as experience.
Consequently, such experience often contributes in a massive way in the development of new
skills, knowledge, and understanding, particularly in the nursing field (Gray, Timothy, and
Christopher). This reflection paper intends to highlight the process I took to complete a
systematic review of the literature. Additionally, it will delve deeper into the positive as well as
negative impacts in the author’s own words.
So What?
The journey of this systematic review began some few years ago. Although not fully
prepared for what I expected, I was confident enough to come up with a good report. After going

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through the introductory process of a dissertation, I now understand that it often takes time to
complete such paper given the fact that it involves a lot of research. Moreover, I realized that
undertaking a research review is a long and arduous procedure that requires one to learn a variety
of languages, concepts, as well as terminologies even before writing anything (Lindenman et al.
581). One particular challenge that I encountered was coming up with a clear and subjective
research question. I had to balance between personal interests and clinical practices when
designing a short research question.
Furthermore, I realized that there was a variety of researches that had been undertaken
related to my topic. After thorough analysis, I had to come up with a research question that
would benefit not only patients but add value to the clinical practice in society. However, I
underestimated the significance of ensuring that the research technique was comprehensive as
well as systematic (Brown). With the help of the JBI appraisal as well as an extraction tool, I was
in a position of ensuring that the methodology was of top quality and full of rigor. Such tools
ensured that the process was easy to undertake and come up with a coherent study (Vos, Lynn,
and Kate 47). Notably, I discovered the systematic review to be very prescriptive with a
structured procedure that required a lot of time to compose a top-notch paper.
Now What?
After undertaking my dissertation assignment, I am confident that I have equipped myself
with major skills as well as knowledge of how one is required to do thorough research on any
particular topic. Moreover, I have gained experience in the process of writing methodology and
analyzing a paper. In this light, I am better equipped to do other researches and writing a concise
dissertation in my higher level of learning. From a personal point of view, I have developed
skills that would assist me in doing future researches in my academic endeavors. This reflective

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paper has also showcased the significance of researching a nurse with the aim of improving a
patient’s experience in hospitals.

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Works Cited
Baird, Marilyn, and Jane Winter. "Reflection, practice and clinical education." Transforming
practice through clinical education, professional supervision and mentoring (2005): 143-
159.
Brown, Timothy. "Charity Fundraising Events–An understated domain: The changing landscapes
of charity fundraising event management processes, contexts and ‘communities’ in the
United Kingdom." (2018).
Gray, Timothy William, and Christopher John Coombs. "Developing professional judgement in
surgical trainees: the role of critical reflection." Australasian Journal of Plastic
Surgery 1.1 (2018).
Lindenman, Heather, et al. "Revision and Reflection: A Study of (Dis) Connections between
Writing Knowledge and Writing Practice." College Composition and
Communication 69.4 (2018): 581-611.
Vos, Lynn, and Kate Armstrong. "Context and process challenges associated with supervising
postgraduate dissertations: An example from marketing." The International Journal of
Management Education 17.1 (2019): 47-61.