How to write a reflection for an assignment | Nursing UK
TLDRThe video script is a comprehensive guide on writing reflections for assignments, emphasizing the importance of structure, using reflective cycles like Gibbs', and maintaining confidentiality. It suggests starting with a description of the situation, analyzing its relevance to professional standards, and concluding with plans for future practice. The script also highlights the value of critical analysis, referencing, and using personal experiences to improve as a nursing professional.
Takeaways
- 📝 Start reflections with a clear structure, similar to other assignments, including an introduction, main body, and conclusion.
- 🔄 Utilize a reflective cycle, such as Gibbs' cycle, to guide the writing process and ensure a logical flow of thoughts.
- 📖 Begin the reflection by describing the situation or experience, providing context for the subsequent analysis.
- 🤔 Delve into the relevance and importance of the reflection topic in relation to professional standards and guidelines, like the NMC code of conduct.
- 👍👎 Critically analyze the situation by discussing both positive and negative aspects, and how they contribute to learning and development.
- 🔍 Conduct research to find supporting articles and references that validate and expand upon personal experiences and thoughts.
- 📈 Use references to back up claims and demonstrate wider reading, including NMC code, government policies, and reputable articles.
- 🚫 Maintain confidentiality in reflections by avoiding specific names, locations, or identifying details of the experience.
- 📝 Switch between first and third person as appropriate, following university guidelines and focusing on the reflective process.
- 🎯 Aim for high marks by aligning the reflection with the assignment brief and marking criteria provided by the educational institution.
- 💡 Don't overthink critical analysis; it's essentially weighing the pros and cons of a situation, similar to decision-making in everyday life.
Q & A
What is the main topic of the vlog?
-The main topic of the vlog is about writing reflections for assignments, specifically in the context of nursing and healthcare education.
Why is structure important in writing a reflection?
-Structure is important in writing a reflection because it helps to organize thoughts and present ideas in a clear, logical, and coherent manner. It typically includes an introduction, main body, and conclusion, which aids in providing a comprehensive analysis of the experience being reflected upon.
What is the Gibbs reflective cycle?
-The Gibbs reflective cycle is a framework used for writing reflections. It guides the writer through a process of describing, feeling, evaluating, analyzing, concluding, and planning, which helps in thoroughly examining an experience and deriving meaningful insights from it.
What is an alternative to the Gibbs reflective cycle?
-An alternative to the Gibbs reflective cycle is the Driscoll reflective cycle. There are also other reflective cycles available that one can explore to find the one that best suits their needs and preferences.
How does the speaker describe their experience with short staffing on the ward?
-The speaker describes an experience where they were short-staffed with only two nurses for 29 patients. Despite the challenging situation, it turned out to be a valuable learning experience and a good day overall, leading to critical analysis and reflection on the situation.
Why is referencing important in a reflection assignment?
-Referencing is important in a reflection assignment because it supports the writer's experiences and thoughts with credible sources, such as the NMC code, government policies, NHS guidelines, and academic articles. It also demonstrates wider reading and research, which can enhance the quality of the reflection.
What are some resources the speaker recommends for finding references?
-The speaker recommends using online libraries, Google searches with relevant keywords, and professional websites such as Nursing Times, Elsevier, Nurses.co.uk, and the RCN Student Network for finding articles and blogs that can be referenced in a reflection.
How should confidentiality be maintained in a reflection assignment?
-Confidentiality should be maintained by not mentioning specific details that could identify the location of work, names of individuals, or any sensitive information. The writer should keep the description of the setting and experiences as general as possible without revealing identifiable information.
What is the speaker's advice on using the first person in a reflection?
-The speaker advises that it is acceptable to use the first person at the beginning of the reflection when describing personal experiences. However, when discussing professional guidelines and standards in the main body, it may be more appropriate to switch to third person. The first person can be used again in the conclusion when discussing future actions.
How does the speaker suggest approaching critical analysis in a reflection?
-The speaker suggests approaching critical analysis by considering the pros and cons of the situation or experience, similar to making decisions when purchasing something. It involves weighing the positive and negative aspects and providing a balanced view of the situation.
What is the speaker's strategy for ensuring a high-quality reflection?
-The speaker's strategy includes following the assignment brief closely, using a structured approach, going in-depth with the analysis, providing critical insights, and including high-quality references to support the points made. The speaker also emphasizes aiming for the highest grade possible and meeting the marking criteria to achieve a good mark.
Outlines
📝 Introduction to Reflection Writing
The speaker begins by addressing the audience and expressing gratitude for their continued support. They introduce the topic of the vlog, which is about reflections and how to write them for assignments. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the structure of a reflection, suggesting the use of a reflective cycle such as Gibbs' cycle, which they found most accessible and well-researched. They also mention other reflective cycles like Driscoll's and encourage the audience to find the one that suits them best. The speaker then outlines the structure of an assignment, which includes an introduction, main body, and conclusion, and applies this structure to reflections, using a personal example of a challenging day at work due to staff shortages. They discuss how to analyze both the positive and negative aspects of the situation and conclude with how to apply the learnings to future practice.
🔍 Researching and Referencing in Reflections
The speaker delves into the importance of researching and referencing in reflections. They suggest using online resources and libraries to find articles related to one's experiences, such as staff shortages or feelings as a student nurse. The speaker recommends using reputable sources like the Nursing Times, Elsevier, and the RCN Student Network to support one's reflections. They also discuss the challenges of referencing personal experiences while ensuring confidentiality, advising against mentioning specific names or locations. The speaker shares their personal approach to referencing, emphasizing the need to back up bold statements with reliable sources to earn higher marks.
📚 Writing Style and Confidentiality in Reflections
The speaker addresses the use of first and third person in writing reflections. They explain that while the introduction can be in the first person, reflecting on personal experiences, the main body should transition to third person, using authoritative sources like the NMC code to discuss experiences. The speaker also stresses the importance of maintaining confidentiality, advising against the mention of any identifying details such as hospital names or trust information. They share their own practice of only mentioning the type of ward they worked on and keeping all other details generic.
🎯 Critical Analysis and Aiming for High Grades
The speaker provides tips on how to achieve high marks in reflections by focusing on critical analysis and using quality references. They explain that critical analysis involves weighing the pros and cons of a situation, comparing it to making everyday decisions like buying a mobile phone. The speaker encourages the audience to not overthink this process and to be as critical as possible in their reflections. They also suggest using a variety of sources, including research papers, articles, and journals, to demonstrate wider reading and earn more points. The speaker shares their strategy of aligning their work with the assignment brief and marking criteria to aim for the highest possible grade.
🙏 Final Thoughts and New Year Wishes
In the final paragraph, the speaker briefly touches on the concept of critical analysis, reiterating its simplicity and comparing it to everyday decision-making. They encourage the audience not to panic and to approach critical analysis with confidence. The speaker concludes the vlog by reiterating their New Year wishes and expressing optimism for the year ahead. They acknowledge that the start of the year may be challenging but remain hopeful for positive outcomes by the end of 2021. The speaker signs off by wishing the audience happiness, safety, and health, and promises to return with more content in the following week.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Reflections
💡Assignments
💡Gibbs Cycle
💡NMC Code of Conduct
💡Critical Analysis
💡Confidentiality
💡References
💡Personal Experiences
💡Professional Development
💡Marking Criteria
Highlights
The video is a vlog about writing reflections for assignments.
The speaker uses Gibbs reflective cycle as their preferred method for structuring reflections.
Driscoll and other reflective cycles can also be used depending on personal preference.
A good reflection should have a clear structure with an introduction, main body, and conclusion.
The introduction should describe what happened, providing context for the reflection.
The main body should delve into why the situation is relevant and important, using guidelines and policies to build evidence.
The conclusion should outline how the reflection will improve future practice.
Reflections can be on both positive and negative experiences.
References should be included in the reflection, especially when discussing policies and guidelines.
Confidentiality is crucial; do not mention specific locations, ward numbers, or names.
The use of first person is acceptable, especially when discussing personal experiences.
Critical analysis involves weighing the pros and cons of a situation.
Quality references are essential for a well-supported reflection.
The speaker shares a personal example of reflecting on a challenging shift due to short staffing.
The vlog emphasizes the importance of understanding the NMC code of practice and its relevance to reflections.
The speaker encourages aiming for the highest grade possible by meeting the marking criteria.
The concept of critical analysis is simplified as weighing pros and cons, similar to making a purchase decision.
The video concludes with a message of hope for the future and an encouragement to stay happy, safe, and healthy.
Transcripts
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