Becoming a Reflective Effective Practitioner

Course title:	Becoming a Reflective Effective Practitioner
Apply:	direct to the University via the NHS Business Unit
Start (pt):	February
Mode:	part-time
Duration:	2 semesters
Location:	Hospital Site
Faculty:	Faculty of Health & Social Sciences

Summary

This course is concerned with enabling people to become reflective as part of everyday practice in the belief that the effective practitioner must be a reflective practitioner.

The programme is led by Dr Christopher Johns, who is recognised nationally and internationally as a pioneer of reflective practice within nursing and health care.

He has spoken and published widely on reflective practice [author of ‘Becoming a reflective practitioner’ and ‘Transforming Nursing through reflective practice’ – with Dawn Freshwater]


Being open to all health care practitioners across diverse practice backgrounds creates a very rich community of inquiry. The course has matured over 11 years to be very dynamic and innovative. Students who have undertaken this course have had their work published.

The course is delivered through weekly sessions through two semesters as a mixture of guided reflection sessions - whereby students learn through everyday experiences towards realising desirable practice, and a series of workshops that looks at reflective practice from broader perspectives:

1. Journalling and cultivating the imagination
2. Whole brain reflection using art form
3. Structuring reflection within everyday practice
4. Reflective theories and clinical supervision
5. Developing reflective standards of care
6. Body awareness & Therapeutic touch

Career Opportunities

The module is a powerful learning opportunity to focus on and develop expertise in practice grounded in the practitioner’s practice.

As the study areas illuminate, its potential for developing expertise in practice is impressive. As such, the module prepares practitioners to become advanced practitioners in whatever discipline of health in which they work.

Assessment

Students undertake three assignments, each of which is a natural progression from the previous assignment:

1. Reflect on a particular experience [using an appropriate model for reflection]

2. Reflect on self being & coming a reflective practitioner [drawing on theories of reflection]

3. Construct a reflexive narrative that illuminates self’ development through the course including a critique of factors that have constrained development

Further details about the course

The course is delivered as a group guided reflection interspersed with a number of workshops. Students set their own agendas as to what experiences to reflect on. Naturally there is a strong emphasis on creating a group culture based on trust and mutual support.

Areas of study include:

Reflective theories and practicalities

Guiding practitioners to learn through experience [clinical supervision skills]

Empathy and Clinical judgement

Accessing, critiquing theory and research to inform ‘best’ practice

Understanding the conditions of practice, the way these conditions constrain realising effective practice, and working towards shifting those conditions in order to become an effective practitioner [includes an analysis of power, tradition and embodiment]

Conflict management and assertiveness

Knowing and managing self to be in ‘good shape’ for practice [includes understanding and managing stress]

Clarifying vision of practice and creating therapeutic relationships

Taking responsibility for ensuring one’s effectiveness using reflective tools [including standards of care]

Using art form as a mode for reflection [stimulating creativity and imagination]

Entry requirements

Open to all health care practitioners who have completed or are working toward completion of Level 2 degree credit.

Find out more

For further information about this course, contact Dr Chris Johns on:
E: chris.johns@beds.ac.uk
T: 01582 743834
M: 07970 748835

How to apply:

Please contact the NHS Business Unit or download an application form from the website.

E: nhs-business-unit@beds.ac.uk
T: 01582 743048
F: 01582 743704

Related Links

• Healthcare top-up awards and short courses application forms
• Post-qualifying course prospectus and Unit Delivery Schedule

Further Study Opportunities

Postgraduate to research opportunities.

General Enquiries

• www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply for information about standard entry requirements, application routes, open days, fees and funding.
• T: +44 (0)844 848 2234 UK/EU Admissions
• T: +44 (0)844 848 2235 International Admissions
• Order a prospectus form. Enquire about courses and order a printed undergraduate or postgraduate prospectus.
• T: +44 (0)1234 400 400 University switchboard