March 16, 2022
Assignment Information
A reflective journal is a learning tool that can be used to look at experiences and help to do the following:
a) Review and reflect upon development, and how have grown on both an individual and professional level
b) Organize thoughts
c) Demonstrate practical application of the underpinnings of knowledge, link theory with clinical practice and vice versa
d) Demonstrate practical competence
e) Decide what new learning is needed; provide evidence to show where, when and how practice outcomes/standards of proficiencies
have been achieved
Assignment Criteria
Developing a reflective journal that addresses the following criteria:
Requirement: The student will express their comprehension of the nursing process in the reflective journal.
Choose to write about any aspect(s) of practice which:
Feel the intervention made a difference in a client outcome
Feel went unusually well
Feel did not go as planned
Think captures the essence of nursing practice
Requirement: The student will identify the following elements in the reflective journal.
The focus should be on the nursing practice
What was going on (the context of the situation)?
o Shift, time of day, resources, the clinical scenario
What happened?
o Detailed description of situation/incident/experience
Why is this incident important?
What were the concerns at the time?
o What thoughts and feeling during and after the experience?
o What influenced the decision-making?
o What, if anything, was the most demanding aspect of this experience?
o What was unexpected?
Requirement: The student will analyze the positive and negative aspects of their learning.
Choose to write about the following:
A reflection or evaluation of the situation showing the competencies and expertise used (skilled communication, teaching, leadership).
Support these with current evidence-based practice literature.
What were actions taken? Include not just, what was done, but also more importantly the rationale for the actions. Support these with
current evidence-based practice literature
What new knowledge or insights were gained? How would make recommendations for change in practice?
Provide references to show evidence-based practice (see guidelines below)
Was anything learned? If so what?
Consider another way to manage nursing practice as it relates to this experience? Has the nursing practice changed in any way?
4. Requirement: The student will follow these guidelines
Utilizing the above guidelines for contextual writing; complete two (2) journal entries throughout (See AAG for
assignment due dates).
Journal entries should exceed no more than two (2) pages in length (not including reference page).
Journal entries should include a minimum of two (2) citations from a peer-reviewed, evidence-based journal. The inclusion of
evidence-based practice is an integral part of learning, critical thinking and growth therefore must be relevant to the journal topic and
shows relevant learning.
Journal to follow 7th edition APA guidelines and should include a title page, the body of the journal, reference page