Reflection and mental health nursing. Part four: making time for reflection

摘要

Reflective practice is probably one of the most talked about but least practised aspects of mental health nursing. As a profession and as individual practitioners, we like to feel we practise in a reflective way, but in all honesty can you really say that your clinical practice is built upon a logical and disciplined reflective approach? As I travel around and talk to different types of nurses in various fields of practice, I see staff who are stretched to their limits with various deadlines, paperwork and inspections, with little time or energy for reflection on what they do, how they do it and why they are doing it. Making time for reflection The key to reflective practice is to develop time within your busy work schedule. I know that this is easy to say, but it is essential that you take control of your working life and create this time. How you do this will depend on a number of factors: the type of clinical area you work in; the volume of patients; their dependency levels; your shift patterns; the level of responsibility you have; how assertive you are as a person; your ability to manage time; and your ability to delegate up the hierarchy as well as down the hierarchy. One of the most common pieces of advice I have given to people over the years is to learn how to say ‘no’ to their managers or colleagues. If you forever say yes to requests to take on extra responsibilities or duties you will find yourself becoming overstretched and overworked. Know your limits and be prepared to politely but assertively say to others, I cannot do that unless I am relieved of some of my other duties.