Reflective Paper

Assignment Overview:
This assignment involves thinking critically and reflectively on your practice as an RPN
and allows you to explore your ideas, opportunities and motivation to advance in your
profession. In this assignment you will begin to demonstrate how the literature can be
used in conjunction with your personal experience to inform nursing practice and
scholarly writing.
The objectives of this assignment are:
 To reflect upon and interpret the meaning and significance of a past event for
your learning and growth as a BScN student
 To link change and nursing theory to your beliefs of nursing and patient care
 To discuss how this reflection has changed your perceptions and beliefs about
the event
 To access scholarly literature to show how new understandings can be included
into your nursing practice and approaches with your patients

Step 1: Look back at a patient experience or event that has occurred recently.

Step 2: Elaborate and describe what happened during the event. How did you feel?
What was the experience like for you and the patient? What surprised you or peaked
your curiosity about this event?

Step 3: Analyze the outcomes. Review why the event turned out as it did? How did you
influence this event or the outcomes? What was your contribution? If the event or
outcomes were not what you expected, consider how you could improve on them next
time. This is an opportunity to really question your beliefs and assumptions, and ask
yourself what the experience reveals about what you value. Consider new roles and
competency as an RN.

Step 4: Revise your approach based on your review of the event and your new learning
from the literature to decide how or if you will change your approach the next time. This
revision should include knowledge from your review of the research, and theory texts to
identify ideas for dealing with the situation next time. With this new learning, you may
decide to try a new approach, learn more about the subject or decide that you handled
the situation very well.

Step 5: New Trial. Explore strategies to put your revised approach into action. Include
the supports from the literature for your new approach. Connect the change with your
new competencies and the importance of reflective practice.

Due Date: October 13th 2010 Total Marks: 20

Notes:

 5-6 pages of content, double spaced, 1” margins

 APA 6th Edition Format
 Submit both an electronic and hard copy of your paper.

The following literature may be useful to your reflective paper:

- CNO Documents/ Scope of Practice statement
- Caring theorists that you have explored
- Knowledge from Change Theory found in your text or other sources
- Nursing knowledge available in the scholarly literature through database search

Exceeds Expectations
80-100%
Intro. Clearly articulated introduction with
central idea of the reflective topic
outlined. Includes a clear overview of
paper organization.
(1.5-2)
Body Excellent clear and concise explanation
Reflection of the situation/reflection. Outcomes
and interpretation of events are clearly
presented, insight is evident.
(2-3)
Body Excellent analysis of the outcomes
Analysis related to personal assumptions and
beliefs. Incorporates a caring
philosophy; roles and competencies of
the RN are notably addressed.
(4.5-5)
Body Excellent integration of research
Revision material throughout the paper.
Demonstrates solid understanding of
new knowledge and decision making.
Explores personal areas for
development.
(4.5-5)
Conc. Makes excellent inferences based on
the information. Links well to
introduction and summarizes
information very well.
(1.5-2)
APA Excellent use of language and grammar
with little or no errors; well-organized
paragraphs and sections that flow
smoothly; APA format followed very
closely.
(2-3)
Comments:
Evaluation Criteria for Reflective Paper
Solidly Meets Expectations
70-79%
Well articulated introduction with
central idea of the reflective topic
outlined and brief overview of paper
organization.
(1-1.5)
Good, detailed clear and concise
explanation of the situation/reflection.
Outcomes of the event are presented
and some insight evident.
(2)
Information analyzed and presented
thoroughly in appropriate detail.
Incorporates a caring philosophy and
discusses roles and competencies of
the RN.
(4)
Good integration of research material
throughout the paper. Demonstrates
sound thinking with consistency and
summarization of thought. Suggests
personal areas for development.
(4)
Makes good inferences based on the
information. Links to introduction and
summarizes information reasonably
well.
(1-1.5)
Good use of language and grammar
with no more than 5 errors; reasonably
well-organized paragraphs or sections
that flow smoothly; APA format mostly
followed.
(2)
Minimally meets
Expectations 60-69%
Reflective topic vaguely introduced.
Overview is simple and paper
structure is vaguely discussed.
(1)
Satisfactory description of the
event. Outcomes of the event are
presented but lacking in insight.
(1.5-2)
Satisfactory discussion of the
reflective topic. Demonstrates
basic understanding of the issue,
and a caring philosophy. Roles of
the RN vaguely addressed.
(3.5)
Satisfactory integration of material
throughout the paper. Some
inconsistencies in thought with
pertinent information missing.
(3.5)
Makes satisfactory inferences
based on the information.
Adequate summarization of
information.
(1)
Satisfactory use of language and
grammar with many errors;
somewhat organized paragraphs or
sections; APA format rarely
followed.
(1.5-2)
Below Expectations
0-59%
Little or no introduction to the
reflective topic. Overview lacking
or not identified. Structure of
paper is not discussed..
(<1)
Poor or vague description of the
event. Lacks depth of
understanding and missing
important points
(<1.5)
Poor or little discussion of the
topic related to nursing
competency. Demonstrates
inconsistencies in analysis of the
topic.
(<3.5)
Poor integration of material
throughout the paper. Important
information is missing and the
paper demonstrates a lack of
understanding.
(<3.5)
Makes poor inferences based on
the information. Summary is poor
with little or no reflection and
analysis.
(<1)
Poor use of language and
grammar with numerous errors;
poorly organized paragraphs or
sections; APA format not
followed.
(<1.5)
Final Grade: /20