Critical Analysis Of Critical Reflection In Contemporary Nursing Education

Critical reflection occurs when we analyse and challenge the validity of our presuppositions and assess the appropriateness of our knowledge, understanding and beliefs given our present contexts (Mezirow, 1990). According to Rolfe (2014) “Students can only learn to be reflective practitioners when they are in practice” because that is when wicked problems arise. Critical reflection is another concept commonly mentioned in the literature on reflection (Bright, 1996; Brookfield, 1994; Collins, 1994). This portfolio comprises the analysis of the role of critical reflection in contemporary nursing education and the evaluation of the usefulness of feedback and assessment process in relation to work setting, fostering reflective learning. The role

For instance, critical thinking allows nurses to identify, evaluate and improve practice by bringing about change in response to feedback from various practice experiences.” However, as Gardner (2014), advocating there is a need to shift from focusing on nursing skills as an individual towards participating in a much more holistic critical process encompassing the wider social context. In this way, critical reflection incorporates principles of critical social theory. In addition, critical reflection from an essential social perspective aims to bring forth an awareness of any underlying assumptions so these may be challenged and altered for next time. As Usher and Holmes (2010) write, reflection “offers a way to bring to the surface the contradictions between what you intend to achieve in a situation and how you actually practice”. In addition, critical reflection may assist with advancing nursing practice from the status quo towards actively creating opportunities to change for a better outcome whether that may be during the experience or in the future. Reflective thinking is hypothesis testing, and real-time experimentation done in situations where “wicked problems” occurs that facilitates deeper knowledge and understanding (Rolfe, 2014). For Rolfe (2014), knowledge is a verb, not a noun, and he

Rolfe (2001) claims that reflection- in-action is more advanced form of thinking and leads to more advanced practice. He further describes that is it is a process of what the nurse is always testing theories and hypothesis in a cyclical process while simultaneously engaged in practice (Rolfe, 1993). It means examining behaviour and that of others while in a situation (Schon, 1995; Schon, 1987). “To be able to reflect one must step outside the experience in order to make the observance comprehendible” Gray (1998). “Aziza highlighted (Forum 2; Challenges and debates about reflective practice, Reflection-in-action/practice and Reflection-on-action/practice) that competent nurses encounter an unusual event or “wicked problem”. Rolfe (2014), calls it, the nurse automatically analyse, problem solve and reflects in that instant without even realising it.” Hence, it brings about confidence, skills and knowledge and anticipation in professionals in nursing. Professionals are accountable for their actions and in this case students, and new nurses would have an opportunity to think what could have been better to improve the