What is Gibbs reflection?
Gibbs reflection is a structured approach to reflecting on experiences. It is a six-stage cycle that can be used to reflect on any experience, but it is particularly useful for reflecting on nursing experiences.
Why is Gibbs reflection important in nursing?
Gibbs reflection is important in nursing because it helps nurses to learn from their experiences and improve their practice. By reflecting on their experiences, nurses can identify what went well, what could have been improved, and what they learned. This information can then be used to improve future practice.
How to use the Gibbs reflection cycle in your nursing assignments
To use the Gibbs reflection cycle in your nursing assignments, you can follow these steps:
- Description: Describe the situation that you are reflecting on. What happened? What was your role? What were other people doing?
- Feelings: What were your thoughts and feelings during the situation? How did you feel afterwards?
- Evaluation: What went well? What could have been improved? What did you learn from the experience?
- Analysis: Why did things happen the way they did? What factors contributed to the situation? What can be done differently in the future?
- Conclusion: What overall lessons did you learn from the experience? How will you apply these lessons to your future practice?
- Action plan: What specific actions will you take to improve your practice in the future?
Tips for writing a good nursing reflection
Here are some tips for writing a good nursing reflection:
- Be honest and reflective. The purpose of reflection is to learn from your experiences, so it is important to be honest with yourself about what went well and what could have been improved.
- Be specific. Avoid making general statements about your experiences. Instead, focus on specific examples and incidents.
- Be critical. Don’t just list what went well and what went wrong. Think about why things happened the way they did and what you can do differently in the future.
- Be clear and concise. Your reflection should be well-written and easy to read. Avoid using jargon and technical language.
Body
Stage 1: Description
In the description stage, you will describe the situation that you are reflecting on. What happened? What was your role? What were other people doing?
Here is an example of a description of a nursing experience:
I was working on a medical-surgical unit when I was assigned to care for a patient who had recently had a stroke. The patient was paralyzed on his left side and was having difficulty communicating. I was responsible for providing the patient with basic care, such as bathing, dressing, and feeding. I also had to monitor the patient’s vital signs and neurological status.
Stage 2: Feelings
In the feelings stage, you will describe your thoughts and feelings during the situation and afterwards.
Here is an example of a description of feelings in a nursing reflection:
I felt a lot of pressure to provide good care for my patient, especially because he was having difficulty communicating. I also felt worried about making a mistake. However, I was also grateful for the opportunity to learn from such a complex case.
Stage 3: Evaluation
In the evaluation stage, you will evaluate what went well and what could have been improved. You will also identify what you learned from the experience.
Here is an example of an evaluation in a nursing reflection:
I think that I did a good job of providing basic care for my patient. I was also able to monitor his vital signs and neurological status effectively. However, I could have improved my communication with the patient and his family. I also could have done more to help the patient and his family understand his condition and the rehabilitation process.
Stage 4: Analysis
In the analysis stage, you will think about why things happened the way they did. You will also identify what factors contributed to the situation and what can be done differently in the future.
Here is an example of an analysis in a nursing reflection:
I think that the patient’s difficulty communicating was the main factor that made this case challenging. I also think that I could have improved my communication with the patient and his family. In the future, I will make sure to use simple language and to ask the patient and his family questions to ensure that they understand.
Stage 5: Conclusion
In the conclusion stage, you will summarize the overall lessons that you learned from the experience and how you will apply these lessons to your future practice.
Here is an example of a conclusion in a nursing reflection:
I learned a lot from caring for this patient. I learned the importance of patience, communication, and collaboration. I also learned the importance of involving the patient and his family in decision-making. In the future, I will apply these lessons to my practice by taking the time to get to know my patients and their families, by communicating clearly and effectively, and by involving patients and their families in decision-making whenever possible.
Stage 6: Action plan
In the action plan stage, you will identify specific actions that you will take to improve your practice in the future.
Here is an example of an action plan in a nursing reflection:
- I will make sure to use simple language and to ask the patient and his family questions to ensure that they understand.
- I will make sure to involve the patient and his family in decision-making whenever possible.
- I will take the time to get to know my patients and their families.
- I will communicate clearly and effectively with my patients and their families.
Conclusion
Gibbs reflection is a valuable tool that nurses can use to learn from their experiences and improve their practice. By following the six stages of the Gibbs reflection cycle, nurses can write reflective essays that are insightful and informative.
Tips for using the Gibbs reflection cycle in your nursing assignments
- Be specific. When describing the situation, your feelings, and your evaluation, focus on specific examples and incidents.
- Be critical. Think about why things happened the way they did and what you can do differently in the future.
- Be honest and reflective. The purpose of reflection is to learn from your experiences, so it is important to be honest with yourself about what went well and what could have been improved.
- Be clear and concise. Your reflection should be well-written and easy to read. Avoid using jargon and technical language.
Resources for further learning
- Gibbs, G. (1988). Learning by doing: A guide to teaching and learning methods. Further Education Unit, Open University Press.
- Jasper, M., & Jasper, M. (2011). Learning from experience: A guide to reflective practice. Routledge.
- Schön, D. A. (1983). The reflective practitioner: How professionals think in action. Basic Books.
FAQs
Q:What is the difference between Gibbs reflection and other types of reflection?
Gibbs reflection is a structured approach to reflection that is divided into six stages: description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion, and action plan. Other types of reflection may be less structured, but they will still involve reflecting on your experiences and thinking about what you can learn from them.
Q:How often should I write Gibbs reflections?
There is no set rule for how often you should write Gibbs reflections. However, it is a good idea to reflect on your experiences regularly, especially after challenging or significant experiences.
Q:What should I include in my Gibbs reflections?
Your Gibbs reflections should include a description of the situation, your feelings, your evaluation, your analysis, your conclusion, and your action plan. You can use the following questions to guide your reflection:
- What happened?
- What were my thoughts and feelings during the situation?
- What went well?
- What could have been improved?
- What did I learn from the experience?
- Why did things happen the way they did?
- What factors contributed to the situation?
- What can I do differently in the future?
- What overall lessons did I learn from the experience?
- How will I apply these lessons to my future practice?
Q:How can I improve my Gibbs reflections?
One way to improve your Gibbs reflections is to be specific and critical. Focus on specific examples and incidents, and think about why things happened the way they did. Another way to improve your reflections is to be honest and reflective. The purpose of reflection is to learn from your experiences, so it is important to be honest with yourself about what went well and what could have been improved.
Q:Where can I find more information about Gibbs reflection?
There are many resources available online and in libraries about Gibbs reflection. You can also find information about Gibbs reflection in nursing textbooks and journals.
