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