1. volume 30 number 42 / 15 June 2016 / 35nursingstandard.com
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STUDENT LIFE
Mirror, mirror in my mind
Reflective practice is essential to nursing, but what is the best
way to write up reflective accounts required for revalidation?
By Mandy Day-Calder
W
hen you join
the Nursing
and Midwifery
Council register,
you will be expected to practise
according to the Code. After
three years, you must undergo
revalidation to re-register.
Incorporating reflective
practice into your day-to-day
work is central to both the
Code and revalidation. To
revalidate, you have to produce
five written reflective accounts
demonstrating what you have
learned, how you have changed
your practice and how you
incorporate the Code’s four
themes into your work.
As a student, taking time
to think about incidents that
happened on placement or
during more structured learning,
and writing about them in a
systematic way, can help you to
develop reflective skills.
Consider your learning style.
For example:
» Do you like to write down
key facts straight away?
» Does it help to discuss events
with colleagues or classmates?
» How confident are you about
identifying your feelings?
» When do you have the time
and energy to reflect without
distractions?
Reflective accounts should be
concise and structured. You
may want to try different
frameworks, such as Gibbs’ or
Driscoll’s reflective cycles. For
revalidation, you will have to
use and NMC template. But
whatever format you choose,
you will need to:
» Identify what happened
The event must offer the
opportunity for learning. You
can reflect on both positive
and negative experiences.
Describe what happened and
your involvement. If it was a
CPD activity, say what your
learning aims were.
» Analyse Write down what
worked well and what didn’t.
How did you feel at the time
and afterwards? Which aspects
of the Code were adhered to
and which were not?
» Evaluate Explain the impact
the event had on you,
reflecting on the Code.
» Define learning and actions
What did you learn from the
experience? Did you identify
any gaps in your knowledge
or skills? What will you do
differently in future?
There are no right or
wrong answers. The most
important part is that you are
continuously learning.
Mandy Day-Calder is a freelance writer
and life/health coach
See pages 64-65 for more onrevalidation
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