Reflective Components in Undergraduate Mental Health Nursing Curricula: Some Issues for Consideration

Abstract

After reflective practice took nursing by storm 20 years ago it is timely to re-examine its influence and implementation on undergraduate teaching. Elements of reflection in relation to learning, matters that affect students and teachers in the classroom and on clinical placements, are reiterated. Interpersonal ethical concerns and issues associated with students' emotional responses to the situations on which they reflect also are considered. We have identified a number of elements that must be considered from both the student's and educator's perspectives to ensure safe and appropriate reflection activities are used in mental health-specific or non-specific undergraduate nursing subjects.

Reflective Practice: A Comparative Dimensional Analysis of the Concept in Nursing and Education Studies

“…These conditions, however, are all based essentially on personal qualities and do not take into account organizational conditions such as time allotted (McVey & Jones, ; Schoonover‐Shoffner, ), workload (Schoonover‐Shoffner, ) and workplace culture that promotes RP (Kofoed, ). Furthermore, the clinical setting should provide students with experiences they can reflect on because they do not have as many opportunities as clinicians have (Cleary, Horsfall, Happell, & Hunt, ). This point brings to mind the assumption, upon which Schön () based his work The Reflective Practitioner , that individuals possess a huge pool of clinical experiences upon which they can question their practice.…”

“…RP is a process that may be guided in different ways. It is often directed by an instructor or facilitator so that the learner may develop her awareness, reasoning, and pattern-recognition abilities (Cleary et al, 2013;Pritchard & Gidman, 2012) and be led to yet deeper reflection (Pritchard & Gidman, 2012). The suggested methods include clinical supervision and mentoring, role models, reflective journals, narration, sharing, and the use of critical incidents (Alpers et al, 2013;Evans et al, 2013;Rigby et al, 2012).…”

“…It is deemed to improve practice skills (Evans et al, 2013;Rigby et al, 2012), clinical reasoning (Glynn, 2012;Rigby et al, 2012), and evaluation skills (Rigby et al, 2012). RP, authors maintain, fosters empowerment (Aston et al, 2012;Gustafsson et al, 2007;Lawrence, 2011), assumption of responsibility and autonomy, and may change attitudes and behaviour (Cleary et al, 2013). It is furthermore said to enhance self-awareness (Billington, 2013;Cleary et al, 2013;Dawber, 2013;Goodwin & Deady, 2013;Rigby et al, 2012), empathy, emotional intelligence, and relationship skills (Bolden et al, 2011).…”

Recovery and the Role of Humility: Insights from a Case Study Analysis

“…These attributes could equally apply to any health discipline. If humility is to be promoted, then each health professional must be reflective and demonstrate a capacity to self-reflect, to grow personally and professionally (Cleary, Horsfall, & Happell, 2010;Cleary, Horsfall, Happell, & Hunt, 2013;. There also is a need to moderate personal interests, such as convenience, approval from peers, financial gain, status, power, and prestige (Coulehan, 2011), particularly when this influences consumer involvement or participation in the planning, implementation, and delivery of recovery-oriented services.…”

Integrity and Mental Health Nursing: Factors to Consider

“…These intrapersonal confrontations and conflicts need to be accepted and learnt from as part of reflection on practice (Ekebergh, 2007). It could be argued that reflection on practice-as an educational process (see for example, Cleary, Horsfall, Happell, & Hunt, 2013), a requirement for clinical supervision for supervisee and supervisor (Cleary, Horsfall, & Happell, 2010b), and a facet of mentoring and professional development (Cleary, Horsfall, O'Hara-Aarons, Jackson, & Hunt, 2011)-potentially feeds into the development of professional integrity and the maintenance of integrity in practice settings.…”