BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF REFLECTION IN AN UNDERGRADUATE NURSING PROGRAMME ISABEL DOSSER AND JACKIE NICOL EDINBURGH NAPIER UNIVERSITY SEPTEMBER 2013

AIM  To share personal and professional experience of facilitating reflection in an undergraduate programme  To discuss the benefits and challenges of facilitating reflection for student nurses

SIGHTHILL CAMPUS

BACKGROUND  Reflection is a key component of the undergraduate programme at Edinburgh Napier University  1500 students currently on the programme  Reflection is timetabled in every practice placement module  Key requirement of the Nursing and Midwifery Council

HOW?  Individual – with e.g. reflective diary, reflective account in placement books, theory modules  Recommended reading in theory trimesters  One to one- e.g. Mentor, academic staff or peers  Group- e.g. Classroom setting, practice placements

WHEN?  At beginning of programme  Personal development sessions – one to one  Individually in practice  Formal group reflection embedded within placements throughout three year programme

WHERE?  In practice with mentors and peers  Out with practice  In University

BENEFITS  Encourages reflective practitioners  Raises self awareness  Enhances personal development  Good learning tool  Group discussion can promote an in depth approach to learning  Shared learning

CHALLENGES  Challenges for students in practice  Lack of insight  Lack of motivation  Lack of time  Consequences of reflection  Lack of engagement/encouragement from mentors  Inconsistency in approaches to facilitation  Distractions in the environment  Tiredness

CHALLENGES  Challenges for facilitators  Awareness of learning styles  Awareness and understanding of theory  Environment  Time in practice/university  Attendance at ENU is not mandatory for adult learners (including reflection sessions)  Maintaining a consistent approach within school of nursing

SUCCESS! A personal student from the September 09 BN (Adult) cohort, developed a paper which was published in July. Powley, D. (2013) Reducing violence and aggression in the emergency department Emergency Nurse 21 (4): 26-29

ON REFLECTION  There are a number of benefits and challenges when facilitating large numbers of students  Motivated students and facilitators overcome practical obstacles  Personal experience confirms that many students benefit from varied  Many students flourish and complete the programme as reflective practitioners

Diolch Thank You