Mirror to Growth_ Reflecting on Nursing Skills with Driscoll’s Framework

1. https://desklib.com/study-documents/driscoll-model-nursing-essay/ Mirror to Growth: Reflecting on Nursing Skills with Driscoll’s Framework Reflection is the foundation of professional development for nurses, enabling practitioners to integrate theory and practice. This reflective account discusses my experience in a health promotion project, reflected on through the vehicle of Driscoll's Model of Reflection—a structured system of three influential questions: What? So what? and Now what? Through examining my interactions, challenges, and learnings, I hope to illustrate how reflective practice improves nursing competence, patient care, and interprofessional working. What Happened? Connecting Theory to Practice The basis of this reflection is that effective communication directs healthcare provision. My group's study highlighted the fact that poor communication between health professionals and patients can result in misunderstandings, especially among vulnerable groups. An eye-catching case was Mrs. Childs, a patient suffering from dementia, who had difficulties with verbal communication. Conventional methods of communication did not work for her, highlighting the need for other forms of communication such as pictures and signs. This experience reinforced that nursing transcends medical care—it requires empathy, flexibility, and sensitivity towards patient dignity. Maintaining a patient's autonomy, particularly those with cognitive disabilities, calls for creativity in communication. The group's results were consistent with previous research, which points out that mentally disabled people are frequently encountered with communication barriers, which require individualized approaches (May, 2016). So What? Emotions, Conflicts, and Professional Growth Looking back at my emotional reaction, I saw frustration and insight. Though I was urging patience and obliquity with Mrs. Childs, other team members preferred strict approaches. Such conflicts, though difficult, were worth it—they challenged me to reconsider my presuppositions and incorporate varied viewpoints into my practice. One of the most important takeaways was the value of organized teamwork. Successful collaboration relies on equal input and free communication—values sometimes lost in our team. A study by Norouzinia (2016) verifies that both verbal and non-verbal communication within healthcare teams are essential for inclusivity. If we had had more balanced discussions, our conclusions could have been more comprehensive.

2. https://desklib.com/study-documents/driscoll-model-nursing-essay/ Now What? Applying Lessons to Future Practice In the future, I recommend three major changes to nursing practice: Improved Communication Strategies –Using multimodal approaches (visual, gestures) for cognitively impaired patients. Inclusive Team Dynamics –Having all members share equally, and promoting mutual respect and collaborative decision-making. Advocacy and Empowerment –Nurses must advocate for patient rights, especially for patients who cannot communicate their needs readily (Epstein, 2015). In addition, World Health Organization's health promotion principles will inform practice reformations to ensure that care is patient-centered, equitable, and preserves dignity. Conclusion: Reflection as a Pathway to Excellence Applying Driscoll's reflective cycle, I have analyzed my experiences and identified areas of strength and areas for improvement. This framework not only honed my critical thinking but also solidified the ethical mandate of patient advocacy. As I continue in my nursing career, I will hold these lessons close, working to integrate theory with empathetic, evidence-based practice. Finally, reflection is not just an intellectual exercise—it's a tool for transformation that shapes capable, compassionate nurses. With the constant questioning of What? So what? and Now what?, I am sure I can make significant contributions to health promotion, patient dignity, and interprofessional collaboration in healthcare. If you would like to learn more, visit desklib's website and learn more about this subject with our AI researcher tool.