The concept of reflective practice and its application to nursing. Introduction to the subject

Abstract

THE CONCEPT OF REFLECTIVE PRACTICE AND ITS APPLICATION TO NURSING. INTRODUCTION TO THE SUBJECT

The aim of this article is to present the possibility of application of the conception of reflective practice to everyday practice of nurse. Contemporary Polish nursing is in the process of many changes. Polish nurse is in a process of transition between working in a system based on the physicians’ orders and working as independent, professional worker for whom these orders are only part of everyday work. In order to meet new requirements nursing education has been transferred to the academic level. Additionally, nursing standards and algorithms supposed to be helpful in the work with the patient. Thanks to them nursing is in some sense unified and its quality increasing. However, following standards can result mechanical work with patients with similar problems and schemas of collecting interviews can remain conversation which is limited to the minimum necessary. Applying the concept of reflective practice seems to be the way which gives nursing standards ‘human face’. “Reflection on action” and ‘reflection in action’ compels nurses to the broader perspective when they deal with clinical problems. Reflective practice is a helpful way of dealing with difficult and unusual situations. And finally, it is the excellent proposal for the self-development. Its application allows analysis of nurses’ experience in the light of knowledge they have what in turns contributes to the nursing practice development.