The Effects of Multiple Reflections on Clinical Experience for New Nurses

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to reveal what new nurses had recently learned and discovered through multiple reflections about their clinical experiences with their mentors as well as to reveal ways for them to recognize effective reflective support.

Method: A total of seven nurses, having experienced reflective support when they were new nurses, were interviewed at two facilities that practiced multiple reflections on clinical experience. The data was content analyzed qualitatively.

Results: These new nurses gained “awareness of their own previously unrecognized weaknesses,” “awareness of what they value most,” and “recognition of concrete actions through dialogue,” etc. Effective reflections that participants recognized included “respecting the uniqueness of new nurses” and “supporting new nurses’ actions.” On the other hand, ineffective reflections included giving “unilateral suggestions” and “authoritative guidance with a lack of understanding concerning the situations of new nurses.”

Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that the new nurses did receive effective support, such as being respected for their uniqueness, through a deepening understanding between them and their mentors. As a result, more than a single reflection method, a multiple reflection method facilitated within them a greater awareness of self-understanding and practices.