Reflection and mental health nursing. Part seven: reflection as a tool for teaching and learning

Abstract

Reflection is an important skill in the armoury of the mental health nurse. Most nurses are familiar with its use in the review and development of their clinical client-centred practice; however, its use for the nurse's own development is less well appreciated. The author highlights how the elements of a reflective learning process can be used by the clinically based nurse to enhance the support of their students' learning. The principles of reflection before, during and after action are then explored as a tool in enhancing the clinician's own experiential learning, examining the dynamic relationship between experience and reflection.