Reflective practice is essential for nurses. It supports our wellbeing, enables us to develop and improve our practice, and helps us to maintain compassion and empathy.
A number of nursing charities, including the Foundation of Nursing Studies, the QNI Scotland, the Florence Nightingale Foundation and the Point of Care Foundation, are calling for greater commitments to establishing and protecting time for nurses to engage in reflective practice.
UNISON is supporting this call, recognising the importance for nurses and patients. In our dealings with employers and regulators we will push for adequate protections so that nurses have sufficient time to engage in reflective practice.
“Our nursing leaders in UNISON are very aware of the constant challenges and pressures facing all of us across the profession.
More than ever, securing time and space for reflective practice is a battle. But it remains hugely important; it can help nurses to process difficult experiences and to learn from them. It helps us to maintain our compassion in trying circumstances and can support nurses to remain in the profession.
We want the NHS and other employers to demonstrate their commitment to their nurses by giving them the time and space for this vital practice. It must not be an after-thought that nurses need to sacrifice their own precious spare time for.” – UNISON National Officer for Nursing, Stuart Tuckwood
You can read the statement on reflective practice by nursing charities here.