Nurses are encouraged to be reflective practitioners, but what does that mean? How can intentional reflective practice lead to personal and professional transformation? These questions are thoughtfully addressed in several featured articles of the Journal of Christian Nursing, July – September, 2011.
Let's face it: reflective practice doesn't come naturally. "Tasks and deadlines compel me to push forward daily, to be actively working, not quietly reflecting," admits Kathy Schoonover-Shoffner, JCN editor. "Every time I think my life is too busy or stressed to stop, think, process, or pray, I remind myself of how busy Jesus' life was. . . . I am amazed that Jesus disciplined himself to withdraw and reflect. If our Lord, King of the Universe, could take time to reflect, I certainly can."
Kathy describes her own bumpy journey in her free JCN editorial, Reflections on Reflective Practice. "Reflection isn't stopping and doing nothing; it is an intentional action just like exercise. There's nothing passive about it," Kathy writes. "Reflection is directing my thoughts rather than letting my thoughts direct me."
Nancy Kofoed describes this process in her feature article, Reflective Practice for Personal and Professional Transformation. Another feature article by Kamalini Kumar unpacks practical aspects of Living Out Reflective Practice. Kumar probes, "How can we slow down, both professionally and personally, to ask ourselves the tough, honest questions that help us be better nurses and Christ-followers?"
For full access to these articles and more, join NCF and receive the Journal of Christian Nursing as a member benefit or subscribe to JCN. CE credits are available.
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