Reflective practice: what, why and how

Abstract

LEARNING OBJECTIVES After reading this chapter, students should have gained: - an understanding of the importance and benefits of reflection to a practice-based discipline such as nursing - insight into the nature of reflection and the ideas of its leading theorists - an appreciation of the link between self-awareness and professional self-monitoring - an understanding of the strategies that assist with reflection-for example, reflective writing, journalling, critical incident analysis, clinical supervision, and forms of creative expression, and - insight into the legal and ethical issues surrounding the keeping of professional journals.