Reflective Essay on Communication
In this essay, I intend to reflect on a situation I encountered during my first community placement I had the opportunity to develop my communication skills not just theoretically but also practically, facing a real life environment. My placement made me aware of the importance of interpersonal and communication skills which are very important in the delivery of care. Throughout my nursing career, I will be encouraged to develop reflective practice skills and become a reflective practitioner. Reflection refers to a series of steps that you may take to question and explore an experience with the aim of learning from it. I will discuss the importance of communication in order to maintain a therapeutic relationship.
In this reflection, I have utilized Gibbs (1988) Reflective cycle. This cyclical model is a recognized framework to assist with a critical reflection on practice. I chose to use this cycle because it will improve my nursing practice continuously, and learning from the experience for better and improved practice. Gibbs (1988) reflective model consists of six stages. Boyd and Fales (1983) offer a useful definition of reflection, suggesting that it is “the process of internally examining and exploring an issue of concern, triggered by an experience, which creates and clarifies meaning in terms of self, and which results in a changed conceptual perspective.” According to Siviter, 2004, p165) explains that reflection is about gaining self-confidence, identifying when to improve, learning from own mistakes and behaviours, looking at other people’s perspective, being self aware and improving the future by from the past. However, having knowledge about reflection does not necessarily mean that nurses are able to use reflection in a meaningful way during practice. Self reflection helps nurses to learn about the actual practice of nursing and helps them to evaluate their own practice and performance. Reflection may also be prompted by more positive states, for
In this reflection, I have utilized Gibbs (1988) Reflective cycle. This cyclical model is a recognized framework to assist with a critical reflection on practice. I chose to use this cycle because it will improve my nursing practice continuously, and learning from the experience for better and improved practice. Gibbs (1988) reflective model consists of six stages. Boyd and Fales (1983) offer a useful definition of reflection, suggesting that it is “the process of internally examining and exploring an issue of concern, triggered by an experience, which creates and clarifies meaning in terms of self, and which results in a changed conceptual perspective.” According to Siviter, 2004, p165) explains that reflection is about gaining self-confidence, identifying when to improve, learning from own mistakes and behaviours, looking at other people’s perspective, being self aware and improving the future by from the past. However, having knowledge about reflection does not necessarily mean that nurses are able to use reflection in a meaningful way during practice. Self reflection helps nurses to learn about the actual practice of nursing and helps them to evaluate their own practice and performance. Reflection may also be prompted by more positive states, for
References: Boyd, E.M and Fales, A.W. (1983) Reflecting learning: key to earning from experience, Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 23(2), 99-117. Childs et al (2009) (Essential Skills Clusters for Nurses: Theory and Practice, Wiley Blackwell.UK Dryden, W. (ed.) (1989) Key Issues for Counselling in Action, SAGE, Bristol. Gibbs, G. (1988) Learning by doing : A guide to teaching and learning methods. Further Education Unit, Oxford Polytechnic, Oxford. Siviter, B. (2004) Student Nurse Handbook: A survival Guide. Bailliere Tindell, London World Health Organisation. (1981). Health Programme Education: Guiding Principles. Geneva: WHO. Wilkinson et al, (2003). Can intensive three-day programmes improve nurses’ communication skills in cancer care. Psycho-oncology, 12(8),747-59. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100405152538.htm (accessed March 30,2012)