NMIH204 Self-Directed Learning Plan: Driscoll Reflective Model

This report presents a self-directed learning plan focused on identifying and addressing a knowledge gap in nursing practice, specifically the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Utilizing Driscoll's Reflective Model ('What? So what? Now what?'), the author reflects on their first year of nursing study, identifying a need to strengthen evidence-based practice. The significance of this gap is assessed in terms of its potential impact on motivation, professional development, and the quality of patient care. An action plan is then developed, outlining strategies such as volunteering, seeking mentorship, and utilizing simulation labs to integrate theoretical knowledge with clinical practice. The ultimate learning outcome is to bridge the theory-practice gap and enhance future professional nursing practice. This report is designed to improve nursing educators and students as well as improve the quality and efficiency of nurses.

Running Head: SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING 0
Self-directed Learning
Self-directed Learning Plan: Driscoll Reflective Model
(Student details :)
3/11/2019

Self-directed Learning 1
Contents
A gap in my knowledge (What).............................................................................................................2
The significance of the above mentioned knowledge gap (So what?)....................................................3
NMIH204 Self-directed Learning Plan (Now What).............................................................................4
Identified learning need.....................................................................................................................4
Action plan........................................................................................................................................4
Identified...........................................................................................................................................4
Learning outcome..............................................................................................................................4
Estimated time to complete................................................................................................................4
Resources required for completion....................................................................................................4
References.............................................................................................................................................5

Self-directed Learning 2
Self-directed Learning
A gap in my knowledge (What)
This discussion involves finding learning needs through preparing an action plan as well as
reflecting upon that action plan and its relevance to my nursing practice. While I am thinking about
what I have learnt in my first year of nursing study, identifying as well as reflecting on a gap in my
knowledge then I have found some important skills missing from my knowledge set. In this way, with
this idea of reflection I am trying to improve my professional nursing skills for future career
development.
Source: (Scully, 2011)
Here, the major gap in my knowledge gained during first year of nursing study is evidence-
based practice of all of the theory concepts I have studied. Although, I am proficient in theory which
makes me capable to write better care plans, discuss pathophysiology, as well as treatment rational yet
the gap is in theory and practice (Bonsall, 2015). Hence, as per my thinking my current knowledge is
struggling with my hands on real-time nursing practice (Williams, 2018). In addition, my knowledge
of pharmacology and Pathophysiology requires to be strengthened more. In this way, I learnt as well
as gained a lot of theoretical knowledge yet my evidence-based practice and nursing practice as an
intern is lagging behind which is causing major knowledge gap (Sandstrom, 2013).

Self-directed Learning 3
Source:
The significance of the above mentioned knowledge gap (So what?)
In this way, based on (Hickson, 2011) here I am going to assess the significance of above
identified knowledge gap. Besides, the theory-practice gap has many major impacts on the nursing
profession, which are as follows:
 My theory-practice gap will create a major problem related to motivation as it creates huge
de-motivation.
 My knowledge gap of practice and theory can create professional issues like dignity of work.
 My research gap in nursing profession will lag throughout the career due to theory-practice
gap (Scully, 2011).
Significance of the gap results in lack of clinical practice which further offers lack of
opportunities for constant learning education. On the other hand, the gap amid taught
nursing theories as well as their use in practice creates several work-related problems (Grossman &
Valiga, 2016). According to me, clinical learning is the major area which explicates the significance
of a nursing student’s presentation in a clinical setting, as well as offers the nursing students a path to
practice the theoretical skills (Charlotte, 2014). Hence, I am feeling that if there is no gap in gained
theory and nursing practice then development of nursing student’s professional identity, increasing
their knowledge, and applying the theoretical and practical knowledge in the clinical setting will be
extremely easy (Sandstrom, 2013). Therefore, as per my views due to non-existence of this

Self-directed Learning 4
knowledge gap the readiness amid new graduate nurses will be high which will be beneficial for the
students’ career and patients’ health as well. In this era of increasing demands of knowledgeable as
well as experienced nurses in the present healthcare sectors, world require efficient nurses hence gap
in knowledge needs to be addressed in my upcoming semesters. Moreover, significance of the gap can
be further defined as the discrepancy amid what I being student nurse acquire from theoretical
classroom lectures and what I will experience in the real clinical setting (Scully, 2011).
NMIH204 Self-directed Learning Plan (Now What)
Identified
learning need
Action plan Identified
Learning
outcome
Estimated
time to
complete
Resources
required for
completion
Evidence-based
practice is needed
so as to improve
the simulation of
nursing theory
with the clinical
practice
knowledge for
the future career
development
(Ghadirian,
Salsali, &
Cheraghi, 2014).
I will volunteer
my nursing
educators and
supervisors as
much as possible
so that the
knowledge gap
between theory
and practice can
be closed
I will be able to
integrate acquired
theoretical
knowledge with
the evidence-
based practice
during my future
nursing
professional
practice
1 Year The resources
required for closing
of the knowledge gap
are as follows:
 Help from
nursing
educators
 Labs where I
can practice
daily
 Some soft
wares and
technological
devices
where I can
apply
theoretical
knowledge to
get
anticipated
real-time
results.

Self-directed Learning 5
References
Bonsall, L. (2015, 05 08). Informed Consent: An Ethical Way of Nursing. Retrieved from Nursing
Center: https://www.nursingcenter.com/ncblog/may-2015-(1)/informed-consent-an-ethical-
way-of-nursing
Charlotte, D. (2014). The importance of professional standards. Nursing Made Incredibly Easy, 12(5),
4.
Ghadirian, F., Salsali, M., & Cheraghi, M. (2014). Nursing professionalism: An evolutionary concept
analysis. Iranian journal of nursing and midwifery research, 19(1), 1.
Grossman, S., & Valiga, T. (2016). The new leadership challenge: Creating the future of nursing.
London: FA Davis Company.
Hickson, H. (2011). Critical reflection: Reflecting on learning to be reflective. Reflective Practice,
12(6), 829-839.
Sandstrom, B. (2013). Promoting the implementation of evidence-based practice: a literature review
focusing on the role of nursing leadership. Worldviews on Evidence based nursing, 8(4), 212-
223.
Scully, N. (2011). The theory-practice gap and skill acquisition: An issue for nursing education.
Collegian, 18(2), 93-98.
Williams, E. (2018, 01). Define Professionalism in Nursing. Retrieved from Chrone:
https://work.chron.com/define-professionalism-nursing-15763.html