ABSTRACT
This chapter explains that the notion of concepts rather than experiences as points for reflection opens up a new frontier in reflection and learning. It draws on psychological and neural perspectives to examine and explore the potential for reflection in seven core emotions which have commonality across nursing practice. Extant literature and narratives drawn from practice are used to help explore and understand each emotion. Each emotion was experienced separately but also in combination with others and often as part of a cascade leading to a more negative or more positive mood than previously experienced. The centrality of emotion to professional caring, decision making and judgement together with the identification of seven core emotions with commonality across nursing practice form the basis for a new framework for guiding practice. The framework harnesses the positive characteristics of the anxiety, fear, anger, frustration, satisfaction, joy and sadness to inform on practice.
