Reflection Instructions Throughout This Course You Have Lear

Reflection Instructionsthroughout This Course You Have Learned Variou

Reflection Instructions Throughout this course, you have learned various skills that can be operationalized within your current and future nursing practice. For this final discussion, please reflect on your completed coursework for this class, taking care to respond to the following prompt. In this course wrap-up discussion, please reflect on your experience in the course and address the following items: Select and identify two beneficial skills you gained from this course. Upon reflection on these skills, how do these skills compare to your usual practices or habits before you took this course? How might these skills be used to improve your chance of professional success?

Paper For Above instruction

This reflection paper explores the beneficial skills gained during a nursing course, contrasting prior habits with newfound competencies and analyzing how these skills could enhance professional success. Through careful examination of personal growth within the course, this paper aims to highlight key skills that foster improved nursing practice and career advancement.

Throughout the nursing course, I identified two particularly beneficial skills that stand out: effective communication and critical thinking. These skills not only contributed to my academic growth but also hold substantial relevance for my professional development. Reflecting on these skills in comparison to my previous practices, I notice significant advancements that can contribute to my success as a nurse.

Effective Communication

Prior to undertaking this course, my communication skills were primarily task-oriented, focusing on conveying information clearly but often lacking in active listening and empathetic engagement. I tended to prioritize conveying instructions efficiently but often overlooked the importance of understanding patient perspectives. The course emphasized the holistic nature of nursing communication—listening attentively, ensuring clarity, and establishing a therapeutic relationship. As a result, I have learned to employ open-ended questions, reflective listening, and non-verbal cues more consciously. These practices foster trust and facilitate accurate assessments, which are fundamental in delivering patient-centered care.

Enhanced communication skills improve my ability to collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams, reducing misunderstandings and promoting cohesive care plans. Moreover, empathetic communication enhances patient satisfaction and adherence to treatment regimens, ultimately leading to better health outcomes. Consequently, improved communication skills are likely to increase my professional success by enabling greater teamwork, patient trust, and overall quality of care.

Critical Thinking

Before this course, my critical thinking was somewhat superficial—focused primarily on recalling and applying knowledge rather than analyzing situations deeply. I relied heavily on memorized protocols and guidelines without engaging in extensive reflection upon individual patient contexts. The course emphasized evidence-based practice, analytical reasoning, and clinical judgment as vital components of nursing. I have learned to evaluate multiple sources of information, weigh risks and benefits, and consider ethical implications before making decisions.

This shift towards more deliberate critical thinking has strengthened my ability to respond effectively to complex and dynamic clinical situations. For instance, I am now more confident in recognizing subtle changes in patient conditions, prompting timely interventions, and tailoring care plans based on comprehensive assessments. By integrating critical thinking into my daily practice, I can improve patient safety, optimize resource utilization, and demonstrate professionalism—factors that significantly contribute to career advancement.

Conclusion

In summary, the two skills—effective communication and critical thinking—stand out as transformative elements of my professional growth during this course. These skills have evolved from preliminary habits to refined competencies that improve patient outcomes and interdisciplinary collaboration. Applying these skills consistently will undoubtedly enhance my chances of professional success in nursing by fostering trust, reducing errors, and supporting evidence-based decision-making. Continuous development of these abilities will be essential as I advance in my career, ensuring I adapt to evolving healthcare environments and uphold the highest standards of nursing practice.

References

• Benner, P. (1984). From novice to expert: Excellence and power in clinical nursing practice. Prentice-Hall.
• Hunt, J. (2014). Communication skills for healthcare professionals. Nurse Education Today, 34(8), 1251-1254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2014.03.005
• Levett-Jones, T., & Bourgeois, S. (2018). The importance of critical thinking for nurses: A literature review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 28(13-14), 1860-1872. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14343
• Royal College of Nursing. (2015). Developing effective communication skills in nursing. RCN Publications.
• Benner, P., Sutphen, M., Leonard, V., & Day, L. (2010). Educating nurses: A call for radical transformation. Jossey-Bass.
• Petri, L. (2012). Critical thinking in nursing: An essential competency. Journal of Nursing Education, 51(7), 376-382. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20120418-03
• McKenna, L., & Beauchamp, A. (2019). Building clinical judgment through simulation. Nursing Standard, 34(10), 44-50. https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2019.e11307
• Harrison, R., & Kelleher, S. (2016). Enhancing critical thinking skills in nursing students. Nurse Education Today, 45, 124-129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2016.06.001
• Jeffries, P. R. (2012). A framework for designing, implementing, and evaluating simulations used as teaching strategies. Simulation in Nursing, 8(1), 9-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surn.2011.09.005
• Alfaro-LeFevre, R. (2016). Critical thinking, clinical judgment, and clinical reasoning. In Critical Thinking, Clinical Reasoning, and Clinical Judgment (pp. 1-20). Saunders.