How can reflective practice improve your communication skills as a nurse?

1 What is reflective practice?

Reflective practice is the process of thinking critically and systematically about one's own actions, experiences, feelings, and thoughts in relation to a specific situation or context. It involves asking questions, analyzing assumptions, evaluating outcomes, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and finding ways to improve or change one's practice. Reflective practice can be done individually or collaboratively, and it can be formal or informal, depending on the purpose and the setting.

2 Why is reflective practice important for communication skills?

Reflective practice can help nurses improve their communication skills in various ways, such as by developing self-awareness and emotional intelligence, recognizing and addressing communication barriers, learning from feedback and mistakes, adapting communication styles and techniques, exploring different perspectives, and resolving conflicts. All of these are key for effective communication and empathy, as they help nurses recognize the importance of tailoring messages to different situations, audiences, and purposes, while appreciating diversity and complexity in communication.

3 How to practice reflection for communication skills?

Practicing reflection for communication skills can take many forms, depending on the time, goal, and resources available. Keeping a journal or log of communication experiences, for example, can help you assess what happened, how it made you feel, and what you learned. Alternatively, using models or frameworks of reflection such as Gibbs' cycle, Rolfe's model, or Johns' model can provide structured questions to guide your reflection. Additionally, peer review or mentoring can offer an opportunity to exchange feedback and insights with a colleague or mentor. Group discussion or debriefing can be another way to share communication experiences and opinions in a supportive environment. Finally, professional development or education may be beneficial in accessing courses, workshops, books, or online resources that offer communication theories and skills.

4 Tips for effective reflection for communication skills

To make reflection for communication skills more effective and meaningful, it is important to be honest and open-minded when acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses, biases and assumptions, feelings and emotions. Additionally, be specific and concrete when providing examples, evidence, or data to support your reflection. It is also beneficial to be critical and analytical when questioning your communication practices, outcomes, and influences. Furthermore, explore different communication options, alternatives, or possibilities to be creative and innovative. Lastly, be proactive and action-oriented by planning how to apply your reflection to your communication practice and setting goals, actions, or indicators to monitor your progress and improvement.

5 Benefits of reflective practice for communication skills

Reflective practice for communication skills can bring many benefits for nurses, such as improving communication quality and effectiveness, enhancing communication satisfaction and enjoyment, building communication trust and rapport, increasing communication competence and confidence, and promoting communication professionalism and accountability. These benefits can result in better communication outcomes, reduced stress and frustration, positive relationships and interactions, improved skills and knowledge, as well as demonstrating communication standards and ethics.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?