1. Written reflective accounts
Notes for facilitators
Add name, title and date information if required
Module lasts 30 minutes

2. The requirement Notes for facilitators
Highlight that the written reflective accounts can cover CPD, practice-related feedback and/or experiences in a nurse or midwife’s own practice.
Explain that these reflections must always relate back to the Code
Explain that nurses and midwives must use the mandatory NMC form to record their reflective accounts

3. The purpose of this requirement

4. Four themes brought together in one Code

5. How to meet the requirement
Notes for facilitators
Each reflective account can be about an instance of CPD/feedback/event or experience in practice, or a combination of both. For example, a reflective account could be created based on a particular topic which may have arisen through personal or team feedback.
Each of the 5 reflections must relate directly to one or more themes of the Code as it may be the case that the subject content may reflect more than one theme.
There must be 5 separate written reflective accounts in total over three years.
The NMC has provided a form that you must use to record your reflections.
You are not required to routinely submit a copy of the reflective accounts to the NMC. However, you must retain these in your portfolio as a record and your confirmer will want to see this.

6. How to reflect on your practice
Notes for facilitators
As part of practice, reflection as a process allows the nurse or midwife to establish connections between new and existing knowledge and experience.

7. Reflection Notes for facilitators
Remember formal reflective accounts do not need to be lengthy or complex. Academic models of reflection are not required here. The reflection does not have to be lengthy or cite research – it can be effective being straightforward and to the point as long as reflection and learning outcomes are clear.
Alternatively, if more academic accounts have already been written as part of a wider educational programme that relate to practice and meet the requirements, then they can be included but using the mandatory form.

8. Reflection as an enabler
Action for facilitator
Before showing next slide ask participants to suggest barriers to reflection – show of hands

9. Barriers to Reflection

10. Outcomes Notes for facilitators
Discuss the benefits of reflection and why nurses and midwives must reflect on their practice in order to improve the care they provide.

11. How to record your reflective accounts
Notes for facilitators
The form for recording reflective accounts can be found in the How to Revalidate Guidance
You should make sure that you do not identify any individual whether alive or deceased in your records. There is further guidance on this in the NMC’s guidance documents.

12. Actions for facilitators
Talk through the headings of the NMC form.
Notes for facilitators
Make it clear that the NMC form is mandatory but that individuals may have different approached to reflection. It may be helpful to discuss other models of reflection, but they will need to adapt these to fit within the NMC form.

13. Activity: Recording reflections in the portfolio
Activity: 15 minutes
5 minutes. Break in to 4 groups. Each group to be assigned an element of the Code. Group discuss the relevance of that part of the code to practice.
5 mins. As an individual write a reflective account on NMC form.
5 minutes feedback.

14. What a confirmer needs to see

15. You should now