Reflective Journal
Reflective writing is one way of citing evidence of practice and learning in practice. Reflective writing involves thinking about and reviewing events to try to make sense of them, using acquired nursing knowledge and understanding.
Reflective journaling also provides insight into context and emotions and addresses the matching of intellect, decision-making and problem solving appropriate for a complex and dynamic situation.
A key component of this assignment will be a reflection on specific incidents occurring during a practicum experience. The reflective journal is more than a description of what was seen, and the tasks have performed. This journal is a chance to comment on actions and experiences in a practicum placement and to explore feelings about the same. Include how these could/should affect personal and professional development.
As a novice nurse, it will be required to plan, implement and evaluate performance; the reflective journal gives the scope to begin to develop these skills while completing a practicum.
A reflective journal is a learning tool that can be used to look at experiences and help to do the following:
a)Review and reflect upon development, and how have grown on both an individual and professional level.
b)Organize thoughts.
c)Demonstrate practical application of the underpinnings of knowledge, link theory with clinical practice and vice versa.
d)Demonstrate practical competence.
e)Decide what new learning is needed; provide evidence to show where, when and how practice outcomes/standards of proficiencies have been achieved.
