ABSTRACT
As a student nurse you should find it easy to complete the sentence: ‘my course would be so much better if only . . .’ This is because most students will have at least one idea of how their programme could be improved. Similarly many students will be able to identify easily what a particular lecturer or mentor
needs to do in order to be better at their job. We all engage in the kinds of conversations in which the shortcomings of systems, organisations or other people are identified and where simple solutions for making things better are suggested. Unfortunately, the same cannot always be said in relation to ourselves: indeed, we rarely engage in conversations that identify our own shortcomings, let alone provide solutions for improving our performance as nurses. If nothing else, reflection provides an opportunity to review the effects and consequences of our behaviour and actions. Tariq has asked Julia to use a structured form of reflection in an attempt to enable her to identify her role in the incident and to help her begin to understand how the incident might have been avoided altogether. From this Tariq hopes Julia will consent to construct a plan of action to assist her personal and professional development.
