Reflection on Nursing Handover
REFLECTION on Nursing Handover
I have decided to reflect upon the first time I did a nursing handover. In accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (2004) Code of professional conduct, confidentiality shall be maintained and the patient’s name is changed to protect indentity.
Reflective writing is considered a key component of portfolio assessment because it provides evidence of skills development and increasing clinical competence (Smith 2005).
What is reflection? Reflection is defined by Wilkinson (1996) as an active process whereby the professional gains an understanding of how historical, social, cultural, cognitive and personal experiences have contributed to professional knowledge and practice.
Reflective practice can take place in-action or on-action. Reflection in-action occurs when you are thinking simultaneously as practice occurs. Meanwhile, reflection on-action occurs as retrospective thinking about an experience (Newell 1994).
Why is reflective practice so important? Reflective practice is important for everyone - and nurses in particular - for a number of reasons. First, nurses are responsible for providing care to the best of their ability to patients and their families (NMC, 2002; UKCC, 1992). They need to focus on their knowledge, skills and behaviour to ensure that they are able to meet the demands made on them by this commitment.
Second, reflective practice is part of the requirement for nurses constantly to update professional skills. Keeping a portfolio offers considerable opportunity for reflection on ongoing development. Annual reviews enable nurses to identify strengths and areas of opportunity for future development (Grant and Greene 2001; Revans 1998).
Third, nurses should consider the ways in which they interact and communicate with their colleagues. The profession depends on culture of mutual support. Nurses should aim to become self-aware, self-directing and in touch with their environment (Grant and Greene 2001; Revans 1998).
I have decided to reflect upon the first time I did a nursing handover. In accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (2004) Code of professional conduct, confidentiality shall be maintained and the patient’s name is changed to protect indentity.
Reflective writing is considered a key component of portfolio assessment because it provides evidence of skills development and increasing clinical competence (Smith 2005).
What is reflection? Reflection is defined by Wilkinson (1996) as an active process whereby the professional gains an understanding of how historical, social, cultural, cognitive and personal experiences have contributed to professional knowledge and practice.
Reflective practice can take place in-action or on-action. Reflection in-action occurs when you are thinking simultaneously as practice occurs. Meanwhile, reflection on-action occurs as retrospective thinking about an experience (Newell 1994).
Why is reflective practice so important? Reflective practice is important for everyone - and nurses in particular - for a number of reasons. First, nurses are responsible for providing care to the best of their ability to patients and their families (NMC, 2002; UKCC, 1992). They need to focus on their knowledge, skills and behaviour to ensure that they are able to meet the demands made on them by this commitment.
Second, reflective practice is part of the requirement for nurses constantly to update professional skills. Keeping a portfolio offers considerable opportunity for reflection on ongoing development. Annual reviews enable nurses to identify strengths and areas of opportunity for future development (Grant and Greene 2001; Revans 1998).
Third, nurses should consider the ways in which they interact and communicate with their colleagues. The profession depends on culture of mutual support. Nurses should aim to become self-aware, self-directing and in touch with their environment (Grant and Greene 2001; Revans 1998).