reflective essay examples using driscoll model

Full Guide on Driscoll Model of Reflection Nursing Essay

by ella | Feb 11, 2024 | Health

The Driscoll model of reflection nursing essay is among the simplest models you will encounter when studying your nursing program. Driscoll created three separate versions of it in 1994, 2004, and 2007. Driscoll looked into Terry Boston’s 1970 original stem questions: what? So what? And now what?

A nursing reflection model provides evidence of your general knowledge and aid in recovery following a traumatic event. The Driscoll model of reflection on nursing care ethics is some of the most well-known cycles of self-reflection that nursing students have to study. In this article, we will help you understand what is Driscoll’s model of reflection in healthcare and relevant Driscoll’s model of reflection in nursing examples. Before we dive into details, let’s first discuss what reflective models are.

What are reflective models?

In a health and social care program, reflections are commonly utilized tools. This process is known as practice review, which refers to the process through which students reflect on their past experiences in the field and provide feedback on how to improve their future methods. In a nutshell, reflection is an investigation conducted into past behavior and then using that information to inform future adjustments.

Improving the user experience is now considered a key growth strategy. The 5Rs provide a structure for introspective and strategic thinking that is important to the reflective process. They are engaged in various activities, including reporting, responding, relating, thinking, and reconstructing.

Anyone can use this framework to think deeply and reflectively about any event in their lives. Various models are now employed for introspective reasons, but the Driscoll model of reflection nursing essay is the most common.

What is Driscoll’s model of reflection?

As its name implies, Driscoll’s reflective model is a reflecting model. This is one of the simplest models to use for quick reference in the nursing field. Driscoll is honored for developing this model in 1994, 2004, and 2007.

The model describes the experimental learning cycle as having three stages. These three phases are based on questions asked by Terry Boston in 1970.

What are the steps in Driscoll’s model of reflection?

Stage 1: what.

The first part of the structured reflection requires you first to answer the following questions:

• What was the experience or circumstance you will be reflecting on?
• What were the main events?
• What did you do, specifically?
• Was there another person involved?
• Did you have a good time? Or bad? Maybe both? To what end, exactly?

Stage 2: so what?

This section of the structured reflection requires that you respond to the following questions:

• Answer this question: “How did you feel that moment?”
• How did you respond?
• What prompted such a response from you?
• Do you remember how you felt then and how you feel now?
• Was there a time when your actions contradicted what you believed in?
• Is it possible that events in the past color your perspective on this circumstance?
• Can you name any other involved people? Was their emotional state? What was their reaction, if any? To what end did their response serve?

Stage 3: now what?

The following questions must be addressed for you to comprehend the structure of Driscoll’s model of reflection fully:

• What have you learned from thinking about this experience?
• Can you think of ways that bad things might have been avoided?
• What could you have done to make the experience better?
• How would you handle a similar circumstance differently in the future?
• How can you make yourself more ready for this?
• What went wrong in the past, and what will you do differently this time?

You can draw meaningful conclusions about your life by asking yourself these three questions. Based on this essay, you should begin by providing some background on the primary incident, circumstance, experience, or event. This first step is simple but crucial because it will offer you an accurate view of the situation.

Evaluation of Driscoll’s model

Although it is not the most frequently referenced model of reflection, Driscoll’s model offers several benefits, primarily due to its ease of use. Compared to other approaches, the three-stage model is simpler and easier to recall. The ease with which a given instrument or framework can be employed increases the likelihood that its user will do so.

How to write a Driscoll model of reflection nursing essay?

Now that we know what a Driscoll reflective model is, we can discuss how to complete your nursing essay using this model. Follow the steps below to apply this model the next time you’re required to reflect on an incident in your nursing course:

• Get more insights on the assignment’s discussion topic before moving forward.
• Decide the model of the reflective cycle you will use. While other models exist, Driscoll’s simplicity has made it the standard. (Skip this if it’s explicitly stated in the question.)
• Using a sheet of paper, list this approach’s three primary concerns and steps. These phrases are “WHAT,” “SO WHAT,” and “NOW WHAT?”
• Brainstorm more on the three questions above in relation to your experience, then discuss, study, and develop answers.
• After completing these questions, you can research more on every section and tackle the rest.

Following these five steps can swiftly implement this paradigm in your assignment. Remember to check your work for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

What are the benefits of using Driscoll’s model of reflection?

Many college students question “why it is important to use Driscoll’s reflective model?” when writing research papers. Here is the correct explanation for removing any confusion about the reflective model. It’s used in several sectors where a standardized approach would be counterproductive because the student’s skills make a difference in how well they perform or how quickly they complete a task.

A study claims that the reflective learning paradigm can be used in more than just educational contexts and fields. The meditative approach speeds up the learning process and enhances the value of first-hand experience. All possible applications in the real world were taken into account while developing the model. In nursing, we mostly use the Driscoll model of reflection when writing essays. Nursing is one of the many disciplines that use reflective learning.

Many parts of nursing present a wide range of scenarios that demand subjective assessment. A nurse’s role is to assist patients with their unique needs by educating them about possible medical methods. By facilitating learning and exposure to medical situations, the nurse improves the likelihood of providing adequate care. It helps people interact productively and reflect on their experiences, leading to greater self-awareness and a deeper comprehension of the world.

Different Driscoll model of reflection pros and cons

In this part, we’ll discuss the benefits and disadvantages of utilizing the Driscoll reflective cycle when writing your nursing essay :

Benefits of Driscoll’s reflective model

• It is effective and fast in its results.
• The procedure is quick and easy to use.
• It is simple to understand and implement.
• It’s a straightforward survey format that serves the same purpose.
• It’s easy enough for beginners to use immediately.

Disadvantages of Driscoll reflective model

• It does not allow for more in-depth contemplation.
• It can’t handle deep or multi-stage reflection.

There are just two major drawbacks to this paradigm and five significant benefits. This demonstrates why it is the best format to incorporate discussions on your nursing practices during the assignment. At onlinnursingpapers.com, we can help complete your paper using the Driscoll model of reflection on nursing care ethics.

Closing statement

The question of “How do you write a reflection using Driscoll?” has been appropriately answered. Our essay writers can also help you complete a quality Driscoll model of reflection nursing essay on time. At onlinenursingpapers.com , we have a reputation for delivering quality nursing essay-writing services to students around the world

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73 John Driscoll’s “What?” Cycle of Reflection

The previous chapter on reflection, “Writing About Writing: Becoming a Reflective Practitioner,” offered an introduction to reflective writing and explained how critical reflection is so important to the learning process. This chapter will look more closely at one of the most common and simplest models for how to practice the kind of reflection that fosters “reflective practitioner” attitude: John Driscoll’s cycle of reflection, which follows a “What, So What, Now What” process. The end of this chapter offers an example assignment based on the Driscoll model.

What? So What? Now What?

John Driscoll originally developed the “What?” cycle of reflection for healthcare practitioners, but it has since been picked up by many different kinds of learners. The model includes three very basic steps:

• WHAT? Describe what happened.
• SO WHAT? Analyze the event.
• NOW WHAT? Anticipate future practice, based on what you learned.

Each step requires both different rhetorical strategies and distinct forms of cognition. Step  1, “What?”, challenges the learner to recall what happened as objectively as possible, without critiquing anything that happened. Step 2, “So what?”, requires the learner to slow down and begin looking for patterns or moments of significance. Here, the key is to bring in concepts that help shed light on what’s going on. In a writing course, for example, a student might learn different rhetorical terms that relate to persuasion, such as  logos ,  pathos , and  ethos . Analyzing the experience according to anyone of those terms is a form of analysis. Finally, Step 3, “Now what?”, encourages the learner to begin  transferring new knowledge to future situations and other contexts. As the introductory chapter to this section explains, transfer is key to becoming a reflective practitioner.

Here’s a video of that carefully illustrates each step, published by the McLaughlin Library at the University of Guelph:

Example of the Driscoll Cycle of reflection

The following example of the Driscoll cycle was developed by a student at The Robert Gillespie Science of Learning .

The trickiest step for those new to practicing this kind of critical reflection is moving from the straightforward objectivity of Step 1 to the more analytical kind of writing that happens in Step 2. As the commentary for Step 2, “So what?” explains, the second paragraph practices analysis by comparing current experience with an earlier one. Comparison and contrast brings in external content (the other experience) to help do the analysis. There are other ways to accomplish this cognitive move, however. As mentioned above, another strategy for analyzing content is to map experiences to key concepts or ideas picked up from the lesson material.

Sample Assignment: “ Ceasefire  Reflective Essay”

The following assignment was developed for English 101: Writing and Rhetoric I at the College of Western Idaho.

Assignment Directions : Write a reflective essay that 1) narrates and describes your engagement on the Ceasefire platform and also 2) critically reflects on that experience.

Purpose : The goal of this Unit is to practice discussing difficult issues in a civil manner, and to identify what kinds of behaviors and communication strategies work best to effectively engage with others in public and professional environments.

Genre : This is a Reflective Essay that fosters a “reflective practitioner” approach to learning. The use of the first person (I, me, mine) is encouraged. The essay should narrate and describe your Ceasefire participation, while also reflecting more generally on how the experiment might help in future situations and different contexts.

Audience : While the Ceasefire experiment and reflections are intended to benefit the writer, the writing should be directed towards other students and teachers who are not familiar with the materials in this Unit. Provide sufficient context, define important terms, and write in a style that conveys professionalism.

Basic Requirements :

• At least 4.5 pages double-spaced
• Formatted in MLA Style, including in-text citations and a Works Cited page
• Revision Cover Letter
• When participating on the Ceasefire website, you will be expected to post a position or question, as well as respond to at least two other posts.

Background on the Ceasefire experiment

While this essay will have a traditional introduction, body and conclusion (like any academic essay), the body will be composed of two main kinds of content. A considerable portion should be dedicated to describing and narrating your experiment with engaging others on the Ceasefire website. At the same time, however, you will be expected to use lessons from this Unit, including the Open Mind learning modules, to critically reflect on that engagement, explaining what it taught you about engaging other beliefs in a civil environment.

Ceasefire Website

Ceasefire is a website whose stated goal is to “improve the world’s discussions.” The mission goals of the website point out that, as our society becomes increasingly polarized, most online discussions have been limited to social media platforms. The end result is even more polarization and “heightened tensions,” rather than understanding and empathy. The Ceasefire website evolved as a solution to that problem. It aims to provide an online space “devoted to the exploration of views” in a civil environment. In this Unit you will be asked to engage with Ceasefire.

Students will be expected to register for a free account and post one of the following two options:

• Opinion: Present an opinion you hold or lean towards to test your understanding of the issue and potentially discover flaws in your thinking.
• Question: There may be an issue you wish to explore but have no clear stance on, perhaps due to conflict thoughts or a general lack of understanding. You can ask a question to launch a discussion about it.

In addition to creating a unique post, you will be expected to respond to at least two other posts published to Ceasefire .

OpenMind Learning Modules

In order to prepare for civil engagement on Ceasefire  , we’ll start the Unit by completing Steps 1-5 of the OpenMind educational platform. OpenMind is “an interactive platform that equips people with a set of practical tools to think clearly and communicate constructively across differences.” The learning modules are based on certain psychological principles intended to help depolarize educational, corporate, and civic communities. In addition to preparing us for difficult discussions, the platform will also provide us with a variety of key rhetorical and psychological principles to help analyze our experience.

Getting Started with OpenMind & Ceasefire

There are a number of steps we’ll follow in order to get started on our “ Ceasefire Reflective Essay”. We’ll complete these steps over the course of two weeks:

Step 1: Sign up for an OpenMind account, join our group, then take the 5 modules. These modules will train us to spot cognitive bias and become familiar with moral reasoning. The “moral matrix” from will provide us with some analytical terms you may want to use when reflecting on your Ceasefire  experience.

Step 2: Sign up for a Ceasefire  account. As a class, we’ll also look at the site rules and examples of strong posts.

Step 3: Develop a Ceasefire post and respond to at least two others. As you engage with Ceasefire , take notes on the process. These notes will help you write part 1 of your Reflective Essay.

Step 4: Become familiar with the Rhetorical Appeals, as well as kairos and exigence . In addition to the OpenMind’s “moral matrix,” these rhetorical concepts will help you critically reflect on the Ceasefire  experiment.

Step 5: Draft and revise your Reflective Essay. Use the Outline included in this prompt to help structure your essay.

Essay Outline

The following Outline uses Driscoll’s “What, So What, Now What?” structure as a way to critically reflect on our experiment with civil engagement.

Write What Matters Copyright © 2020 by Joel Gladd is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Driscoll's Model of Reflection

Introduction.

The Driscoll model of reflection is one of the simplest models you will come across. It was developed by Driscoll in 1994, 2004 and 2007. Driscoll studied the three stem questions which were initially asked by Terry Boston in 1970, they were:

Driscoll connected these three stem questions to the stages of an experience learning cycle, and then added trigger questions that must be answered to complete the reflection cycle. The three questions were developed in 1994, 2000 and 2007. The John Driscoll Model of Reflection is one of the simplest models of reflection.

By answering these three questions, you can start to analyse experiences and learn from these. First, it’s important to describe what the situation or experience was like. The context is essential. This gives the user a more complete idea of what is going on. This is achieved by thinking about the ‘what’ question? What was learnt from the experience? The last phase encourages the user to think about the action that is taken as a result of the reflection. Should behaviour be changed? Must something new be introduced? Or is the status quo sufficiently positive, which means no changes are needed?

What are the steps in Driscoll's model of reflection?

Step 1: what?

• Briefly describe the experience/situation/incident you will be reflecting on
• What exactly happened?
• What exactly did you do?
• Was someone else involved?
• Was it a good experience? Or bad? Or both? And why?

Step 2: so what?

• How did you feel at that specific moment?
• How you react?
• Why did you react this way?
• Did you feel the same about the situation then as you do now?
• Were you experiencing a conflict with your personal values?
• Do you think past situations have influenced your experience during this situation?
• Who else was involved? How did they feel? And how did they react? And why did they react this way?

Step 3: now what?

• What have you learnt from reflecting on this situation/experience/incident?
• Could you have prevented negative outcomes?
• And how could you have done so?
• What would you do differently if a similar situation were to occur in the future?
• What could you do to better prepare yourself for this?
• Where did it go wrong last time and what will you focus on now?

Ask yourself these three simple questions to yourself, then you can start to analyse your experiences. Firstly, explain the main incident, situation, experience, or event which was to set it in context. This initial step is basic yet important as it will give you a clear picture of what you are going to deal with.

Moving on, you will then reflect on the main event, experience or situation by proposing a question: So What? – What will I learn because of this particular situation? For the third question of the Driscoll Cycle, you need to think about the actions. These are supposed to be the actions you will take as an outcome of your reflection. Think about whether you will change behaviour? Or “Is there any need to bring some changes or is it okay to continue it as it is?”

Evaluation of Driscoll's Model

Driscoll's model of reflection is not the most commonly cited, however, the Driscoll model has several advantages, mainly due to its level of simplicity. The three-stage model is easier to remember when compared to other models and more straightforward in nature. If a tool or framework is easy to use, it is more likely you will use it more frequently.

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NURSING REFLECTIVE ESSAY USING DRISCOLL'S MODEL By Student's Name Course Tutor Institution City/State Date Nursing Reflective Essay using Driscoll's Model

Nursing Reflective Essay using Driscoll’s Model Introduction This reflective essay will examine my understanding and the skills that I developed from our nursing promotion project. The essay is based on the cycles presented by Driscoll’s model. The three processes presented by the model helped us to reflect the individual performance in comparison with the group performance. The model also helped us to make adjustments that I will make to improve my future understanding of the nursing practices. The processes under Driscoll’s model include what, so what (the feeling about the experience) and Now what (if it happens again what you would do differently). I will, therefore, focus on the model to link theory to the nursing practice Application of Driscoll’s model What (The Occurrences) The application of the reflection will enable me to explore a number of areas that will improve my experience in the nursing practice; this will help me to develop the necessary skills that will improve the quality of care. The reflection on the experiences will also help me improve my understanding of the medical practices and consequently allow self-criticism. The first skill is to ensure that we improve the communication with the clients so that to improve the health services within the nursing profession (Fernandez, Chelliah & Halim, 2015, 120). The knowledge we shared in the group will enable me to draw the communication skills that will enable me better understand the needs of the clients within the health platform. Understanding the needs of the patients and the colleagues help to create and maintain confidentiality in the health practice. My feeling about the experience I learned that the level of communication between the nursing practitioner and the service user becomes impaired when it is not standardized. The group's research will enable me to carry out independent research to establish the effects of negative health promotion practices that risk creating impairment in the communication process. However, from the interim findings on the health promotion project, the group found out that about 80% of the mentally challenged people have high chances of having the communication difficulties (Freshwater, Walsh & Esterhuizen, 2017, 81). It is, therefore, necessary to focus on using the media forms like signs and pictures to enhance communication. Through observation, I will be able to provide care in a dignified way. Some of the issues I raised in the group have helped me look at the nursing provision from a different angle than just a normal health practice. People should be treated with dignity and respect. Respect help to maintain good communication between the group members and the people within the health setup. The concept of the health practice should be nursing service first to ensure that the individuals' autonomy is respected. My Reaction to the Team’s Perception At some time my input to the team's perception differed because diverse opinions that the members held. However, the contribution of the members helped to improve my understanding of the health promotion principles. On the other hand, as an emerging nurse, the experience I learned from my colleagues has enabled me to re-examine my nursing skills in order to match them with the health promotion principles. Although sometimes, I did not agree with some contributions of the members of the team, a more robust approach should be encouraged to ensure that each member perform independent research such that the group sum up the findings and make up a comprehensive conclusion (Tesh & Kautz, 2017, 118). The other improvement of the work group is to ensure that the health promotion principles are streamlined according to the principles of the World Health Organization. What to do differently from the group I would propose a meaningful communication between the group members. There should be a meaningful exchange of ideas, opinions, and feelings of members before the group makes a conclusion on what is supposed to be incorporated into the health promotion principles. All members of the group should be given equal chances of contributing to the team. Sometimes I felt frustrated as a nurse because I believe in the equality of the members of the team. In the future, communication in the group should be both verbal and non-verbal (Horton‐Deutsch & Sherwood, 2008, 947). There may be members who have an important contribution to the group but because of the communication difficulties, it becomes hard for them to express themselves. Promotion of Health Promotion Practices From the findings of the group, it is evident that nurses and the care providers in the health sector should create a conducive environment. I will propose that the health practitioners should be adaptable and creative in order to understand the patients who come from different backgrounds. Being accommodative eliminates chances of disempowering the patients and other workers who have challenges in communication (Corrall, 2017, 43). For instance, people with dementia may feel outpaced when they see others moving or speaking. Therefore, it is necessary for the nurses to be accommodative and friendly to all people during the provision of the health services. I have been able to realize the importance of the inter-professional working as a team when creating regulations that will be observed by all people in the same field. It is, therefore, important to encourage holistic adherence to the health promotion principles at all levels. The learning that I have gained through the interaction with the members of the group will positively impact my nursing practice in the future. I believe the changes in the dynamics of the society needs all the nursing practitioners to create principles that will be able to accommodate the needs of the society. Conclusion In conclusion, as an emerging nurse, the experienced that I have gained will enable me to demonstrate the nursing skills that will adhere to the health promotion principles. The Driscoll's reflective cycle has enabled me to examine my experiences from all the aspects of life. It has served as a framework for the establishment of my ability to examine different nursing skills and identify the ones that will improve the health promotion practices. I have been able to identify how the concept of dignity controls all the levels of the nursing practice. The model has given me a chance to acquit myself in relation to the health practice principles before escalating the whole issue. I believe the application of the Driscoll’s reflective cycle will help me become a professional nurse through the application of theory and practice.

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• Meticulous Explanation of Driscoll Model of Reflection
• Exploring Different Types of Reflection Models with Examples

Driscoll gave the model of reflection in 1994 as a framework to guide self-reflection among individuals regarding some event or happenings. The model was developed on a basis of the Borton model of reflection which focuses on three questions (Gladd, 2021). What? So what? and Now what? These three questions help to reflect on an event or situation but do you know that answering these questions can be ambiguous at times? Yes, this is a reason that Driscoll developed a new reflective model by matching it to the experiential learning cycle. Driscoll's model of reflection also provided additional guidance regarding what should be reported at each stage of reflection.

Table of Contents

• Stages of Driscoll's model of reflection
• Example of Driscoll's model of reflection

Three stages of Driscoll’s model of reflection

Stage 1: what stage.

The first stage in this reflection is “ What stage ?” which considers describing a whole situation by answering a few questions which are listed as follows-

• What happened? In this stage, you will focus on the background information highlighting instances of the event you are reflecting upon.
• What did you observe? In this, you will focus on the additional information that you noticed throughout the occurrence of the event.
• What were the actions taken? In this, you will highlight the major actions taken by you and the other people involved in the situation.
• How did you react? While answering this question, you will focus on the reactions given by you throughout the event occurrence.
• How did others react? In this, you will highlight the various ways in which others involved in the situation reacted.
• What were the most surprising elements in the occurrence of the event? In this, you will highlight the aspects of the event that gave you a feeling of shock or surprise.

Stage 2: So what

The second stage of this reflection is “ So what ?” which aims to promote understanding of the event by triggering reflection on the feelings of individuals regarding the event. The few questions that are answered at this stage include-

• How did you feel during the occurrence? In this, you will focus on underlining the feelings you had during the event you are reflecting upon.
• How do you feel regarding the event at this moment? While answering this question, you will highlight the feelings you are having about the event at this moment.
• Do you feel different regarding the situation and why? In this, you will highlight the difference in feelings during and after the occurrence of the event.
• What were the positive aspects of this event? In this, you will focus on all the positive things that happened during the event.
• What were the negative aspects? After highlighting the positive aspects, you will also focus on the negative aspects of the event.
• What were others feeling? While answering this question, you will highlight the feelings of other people involved in the situation.
• Were your experiences different from others? In this, you will highlight the fact whether your experience was different from others or not.

Stage 3: Now what

The third stage of this reflection is “ Now what ?” where an action plan for dealing with the same situations in the future is developed. This stage includes the impact of an event on individuals and self-awareness about how and why individuals acted in a certain way. The few questions which can be answered at this stage include-

• What was the impact of the event on you? In this, before creating an action plan, you have to focus on the impact of the event on you.
• What improvements can be made to alter the outcome? While answering this, you will highlight the ways in which you can improve and make the outcome better for future situations.
• What actions can be taken next time while dealing with the same situation? In this, you will list out one or two actions that you will take if the future situations occur again.
• What information will be needed to deal with the same situation? In this, you will answer what information which can be theoretical or practical is needed in order to react or attain the SMART nursing goals for similar situations in the future.
• How can you improve your performance in a similar situation next time? Lastly, you will highlight the ways in which you will improve your performance for a similar situation in the future.

Since Driscoll's model of reflection helps to properly investigate the situation, this model is mainly used in a health care setting by nurses to provide a reflection on their experience or medical situation and to identify actions that can be taken for self-improvement and to improve the quality of care in the future. So, let us take an example of a nursing situation to apply Driscoll's model of reflection.

Driscoll’s model of reflection example

Case assessment - This reflective example will highlight the experience of a nurse working in a surgical ward conducting surgery to remove the appendix. This reflective example will focus on the nurse's experience and challenges she faced while engaging in appendectomy.

Whilst being in a surgical ward, I was required to engage in an appendectomy which is emergency surgery to remove the appendix. During this situation, I found that I cannot perform laparoscopic surgery due to the severity of appendicitis in a patient. Thus, I informed the patient that an open appendectomy will be performed and got informed consent. Thus, I made one incision on the lower right side of the abdomen of a patient and then removed the appendix. However, after surgery, it was noticed that a patient developed hepatitis B. My senior doctor then contacted me and informed me that there are very few causes of Hepatitis B, which include sharing of needles, at the time of birth and sexual contact. Besides, the main cause for the occurrence of Hepatitis B, in this case, is the use of some infected tool or equipment during surgery. There is a major possibility that these occult infections are often caused by HBV mutants that have been proposed (Liang, 2009). I was very shocked after hearing this and then recalled a whole situation where I identified that I didn’t follow all steps needed to prevent the spread of blood-borne infections. A senior doctor then guided me about procedures for preventing healthcare-associated infections and also asked me to study patient safety guidelines.

At the beginning of the appendectomy of a patient, I was bit confused about the procedure of giving anesthesia. However, I was able to successfully give all injections and medicines which helped me to develop confidence and perform this surgery but when I found that a patient developed hepatitis B due to some little mistake in surgery, I felt very guilty and sad. I also feel very sad when I recall the same situation. I believe that I was required to treat a patient for an appendix but ended up developing some other health problems. After facing this situation, my senior doctor also felt very ashamed as he was not able to completely guide me and prevent such issues. The most negative aspect of the situation was that I disappointed my seniors and was not able to perform well. However, one thing that I felt was good about the situation was that I got to learn something new that will definitely help me in the future. However, one thing that I felt was good about the situation was that I got to learn something new that will definitely help me in the future. Now, I have learned that healthcare-associated infections are one serious problem that can be prevented by following various healthcare safety practices and principles. I also found that evidence-based care practices can be followed to prevent various mistakes in health care.

The occurrence of this event had a major impact on me that I was not able to perform well. However, it also made me more determined to learn more and more about nursing practice and become a better version of myself. After facing this situation, I found that I need to be more prepared to engage in various healthcare situations to prevent various healthcare risks. I believe that I can follow various nursing codes such as the NMC code of nursing which includes four principles i.e. prioritizing people’s safety, practicing effectively, preserving patient safety, and promoting professionalism and trust to promote quality of healthcare. Along with this, I found that I also need to learn about various infection control practices before undertaking any further surgeries to prevent healthcare-associated infections from taking place. Moreover, I will engage in future surgeries only by following standardized procedures for surgeries and health care management.

Previous Model

Gladd, J. (2020) John Driscoll's "what?" Cycle of reflection, Write What Matters. MSL Academic Endeavors. Available at: https://idaho.pressbooks.pub/write/chapter/john-driscolls-what-cycle-of-reflection/ (Accessed: November 23, 2022).

Liang, T. (2009). Hepatitis B: The virus and disease. Hepatology, 49(S5), S13-S21. doi: 10.1002/hep.22881

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Driscoll’s Model of Reflection Explained With Example

A reflection is a vital tool for learning from experiences and improving our future actions. It allows us to analyse and evaluate our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, providing insights that can help us grow and develop.

Driscoll’s Model of Reflection is a structured approach to reflection that can be used to enhance our learning and personal development.

The model is especially beneficial in educational and professional settings, but its simplicity makes it applicable to various real life.

In this blog post, we will explore the three stages of Driscoll’s Model of reflection and how it can be applied to different experiences.

The Three Stages of Driscoll’s Model of Reflection

Driscoll’s Model focuses on three key questions that guide you through a structured reflection process:

• What?  – Describe the experience.
• So what? –  Analyze the experience.
• Now what? – Plan for the future based on your learnings.

Stage 1: What – What happened?

The first stage of Driscoll’s Model of Reflection is to describe the situation or experience in detail. This includes what happened, where and when it occurred, and who was involved. The goal of this stage is to provide a clear and objective account of the experience.

In this stage, it is essential to reflect on both the positive and negative aspects of the experience. This allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the situation and identify areas for improvement.

For example, let’s say you recently completed a group project for your class, and it did not go as well as you had hoped. In this stage, you would describe the project, including the roles and responsibilities of each group member, the goals of the project, and the outcomes.

Stage 2: So What? – What were you thinking and feeling?

The second stage of Driscoll’s Model of Reflection is to reflect on your thoughts and emotions during the experience. This includes identifying any assumptions or beliefs that may have influenced your actions or reactions. The goal of this stage is to gain a deeper understanding of your internal processes and how they relate to the experience.

In this stage, it is essential to be honest with yourself and reflect on both positive and negative emotions. This allows you to acknowledge and process your emotions, leading to a better understanding of yourself and your reactions.

Continuing with our previous example, in this stage, you would reflect on your thoughts and emotions during the group project. This may include feelings of frustration or disappointment, thoughts about the group’s dynamics or individual contributions, and any assumptions or beliefs you may have had about the project.

Stage 3: Now What? – What sense can you make of the situation?

The third and final stage of Driscoll’s Model of Reflection prompts an action stage. This includes identifying what you have learned from the experience and how you can apply this knowledge in the future. The goal of this stage is to use reflection to enhance your learning and personal development.

In this stage, it is important to focus on actionable insights and identify specific steps you can take to improve your future actions.

Returning to our group project example, in this stage, you would evaluate the experience and identify what you have learned. This may include recognising the importance of clear communication and setting expectations, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the group members, and considering alternative approaches for future group projects.

Benefits of Using Driscoll’s Model of Reflection

Using Driscoll’s Model of Reflection can provide several benefits, including:

• Enhanced learning : Reflection allows you to learn from your experiences, identifying areas for improvement and developing strategies for future success.
• Increased self-awareness : Reflection can help you develop a deeper understanding of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, leading to increased self-awareness and personal growth.
• Improved decision-making : Reflection can help you make better decisions by providing insights into your decision-making processes and identifying potential biases or assumptions.
• Better relationships : Reflection can improve relationships by helping you understand and communicate your thoughts and emotions more effectively.

Driscoll’s Model of Reflection is a powerful tool for learning from experiences and improving personal and professional development. By following the three stages of the model, you can gain insights into your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, leading to increased self-awareness and personal growth. Reflection requires time and effort, but the benefits are worth it, including enhanced learning, improved decision-making, and better relationships.

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