Personal Development and Reflective Reasoning in Nursing Essay

â€Å"Maybe reflective practices offer us a way of trying to make sense of the uncertainty in our workplaces and the courage to work competently and ethically at the edge of order and chaos†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Ghaye, 2000, p.7) In order to fully understand the personal development and reflective reasoning in relation to your development in the Nursing field, one will have to define these two terminologies. Personal development means to include activities that improve awareness, can develop potential that will ultimately enhance the quality of life. Medical colleges advocate personal development plans as a basis for continuing professional development. Whereas, reflective reasoning is where a nurse can apply learning and insights of others into their own work. In nursing courses students learn through lecture and discussion, which is the primary method for teaching theoretical principles, but when you add a more complete understanding of the relationship between theory and practice one may become a more competent nurse. Awareness of issues and analysis of knowledge and feelings are some stages that are involved in reflection but then identification and integration of new learning is needed as well. By consc iously engaging in their own and others reflection it is believed that the level of professional interaction will improve. Motivation, one issue bound to crop up in ones work life, as well as leadership and of course managing conflict these are some issues when speaking of personal development. The ability to reflect upon us is a valuable part of human life, insisted Taylor (2000). Reflection and reflective practice are claimed to enhance professional development, link theory and practice, promote critical thinking, lead to self-awareness a... ...Cartwright(Ed.), Studies in social power(pp. 150-167). Ann Arbor, MI: Institute for Social Research. Ghaye, T. (2000) Into the reflective mode: bridging the stagnant moat. Reflectice Practice, 1(1) 5-9. Gray, G. (1998). Becoming a reflective practitioner. In Towards a Discipline of Nursing, Churchill Livingstone, Melbourne, pp. 335-354. Harrington-Mackin, D. (1996) Keeping the Team Going: A Tool Kit to Renew & Refuel Your Workplace Teams, March 26, 1996 AMACOM Kerfoot, K. (2001). The Leader as Synergist. MEDSURG Nursing, 10(2), 101-103. Laurent, C.L. (2000). A nursing theory for nursing leadership. Journal of Nursing Management, 8, 83-87. SCHÃâ€"N D A (1983) The Reflective Practitioner: how professionals think in action London: Temple Smith Taylor, B.J. (2000) Reflective Practice: a Guide for Nurses and Midwives. Buckingham: Open University Press