The Clinical Learning Spiral: a model to develop reflective practitioners.

Abstract

Reflective practice in clinical nursing is an exciting concept. Much of the literature on reflection has been derived from education. Recently the Australasian Nurse Registering Authority Committee (ANRAC) endorsed reflective practice as a registering prerequisite competency for beginning nurse practitioners. This paper examines the concept and development of an action research clinical learning spiral to foster reflective practice of both undergraduate students and their clinical teacher in the practice setting. The innovation of a mutual group, that is, teacher and students interacting through reflection to create a co-operative learning environment is explored. In designing the spiral a number of models were consulted and incorporated. The action research clinical learning spiral adds structure and focus to the process of reflection-on-action and provides an avenue for students and the clinical teacher to set mutual goals of action to trial for future experiences. This process of reflection allows the clinical facilitator to be an integral component of success to the students learning in the clinical context.