O K A N A G A N C A M P U S – SC H O O L O F NU R SI NG
Reflective Writing across the Curriculum
Reflective journaling is a mandatory component of all nursing practice courses. Gibbs reflective
cycle consists of six stages that guide you through the stages of the reflective process. The goal of
this process is to promote professional growth by challenging assumptions, identifying professional
strengths and limitations and taking actions to improve caring practices. Please submit your written
reflections using the following format. Please note that not all of the guiding questions will apply to
every practice experience.
Adapted from Gibbs reflective cycle (1988):
Stage One:
Desciption
What happened?
Stage Two:
Stage Six: Action
Feelings
Plan
How did the
What is your
experience make
plan moving
you think and
forward?
feel?
Stage Three:
Stage Five: Evaluation
Conclusion What was
What else could positive or
you have done? negative about
the experience?
Stage Four:
Analysis
What are the
causes and
consequences of
the experience?
Balfour, C., Kennedy, L., Strumpel, C., & Willson, M. (August, 2018)
STAGE ONE: DESCRIPTION
What happened? Describe something that occurred during your practice experience, include everything relevant.
STAGE TWO: FEELINGS
How did you feel and what did you think prior to, during, and after the experience?
How did the
experience make you Did your thoughts and feelings change during the situation? If so, why?
think and feel? Did your thoughts and feelings affect your actions at the time?
STAGES THREE: EVALUATION
What was positive about the experience (what worked)?
What was positive or
negative about the What was negative about the experience (what didn’t work)?
experience? How did you react to the situation?
How did the experience end? Was the experience complete (was there a resolution) or incomplete (are
you left with unanswered questions)?
STAGE FOUR: ANALYSIS
What are the causes Why did this happen?
and consequences of In what ways did you contribute to this situation?
the experience? o What did you do well?
o Did a previous experience help you?
o Can you compare it to a previous experience?
o If you were unable to contribute to the experience, say why.
In what ways did others contribute to this situation?
o How did their contributions help or hinder?
o Were their actions similar or different to yours?
Reconsider the things that went well and did not go well.
o Why? (Causes of action)
o What consequences could result from this situation?
Think about what could have been done to avoid negative consequences
Think about how positive actions could have been further improved
STAGE FIVE: CONCLUSION
Would you have learned anything by talking to the client/family about the experience?
What else could you
Was there anything you should have noticed?
have done?
Was there anything that you should have done/reported/asked about/read about?
Was there anything you should have discussed with the nurse or your teacher?
What resources/literature would have contributed to your understanding of the situation?
What did you learn about yourself during the experience? (positive or negative)
What did you learn about your current knowledge or level of practice (strengths and weaknesses)?
STAGE SIX: ACTION PLAN
How has the experience helped you to improve your practice?
What is your plan
What do you need to do to be better prepared to face this experience in the future?
moving forward?
o What knowledge/skills do you need to develop?
o What specific steps do you need to take?
How would you respond in a similar situation?
What advice would you give to other learners in similar situations?
How will you enhance your ability to communicate with clients/families?
What other issues need to be addressed?
Balfour, C., Kennedy, L., Strumpel, C., & Willson, M. (August, 2018) 2
References
Gibbs, G. (1988). Learning by doing: A guide to teaching and learning methods. Oxford: Further
Education Unit.
Lia, P. (2016). Using Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle. Retrieved from
[Link]
[Link]
University of South Wales (2013). Gibbs’ Model of the Reflective Cycle. Retrieved from
[Link]
21/Gibbs_Model_of_the_Reflective_Cycle.pdf
Balfour, C., Kennedy, L., Strumpel, C., & Willson, M. (August, 2018) 3