A new book which explores good nursing practice has been launched by a Professor from the University of Bedfordshire.

Dr Chris Johns, Professor of Nursing at the University, has edited The Good, the Wise and the Right Clinical Nursing Practice, together with Charlotte Delmar, Director of Aarhus University Hospital’s clinical nursing research unit in Denmark.

The book includes contributions from professionals in the USA, Canada, UK, Norway and Denmark and is based on papers presented at last year’s International Reflective Practice Conference, held at Aalborg in Demark, in collaboration with the University of Bedfordshire.

Reflective practice is an approach to learning and research that guides practitioners' to explore their own experiences to gain insights into their practice.

Dr Johns said: “The book offers diverse views and practical wisdom in respect of clinical nursing practice, research and education. It gives a cutting edge perspective on reflective practice and opens up the use of art, narrative and performance for reflection. Through reflection we can share our experiences and learn from each other.”

Dr Johns works with dance and drama lecturers at the University to reflective on his experiences through performance, which he uses in his teaching. He organised the first International Reflective Practice Conference at the University in 1994 to focus on sharing knowledge and developing students to become reflective, mindful, and effective practitioners. It now attracts keynote speakers from across the world and next year the 2010 conference will return home to the University’s Putteridge Bury campus.

Dr Johns has researched and written extensively on clinical supervision and reflective practice, and practices clinical supervision across diverse health care settings. The Good, the Wise and the Right Clinical Nursing Practice is his seventh book on the subject. It can be ordered by e-mailing c.delmar@rn.dk

For information on previous books by Dr Christopher Johns and the University of Bedfordshire’s nursing courses, please visit www.beds.ac.uk/courses/bysubject/heacar