A curriculum self-study of writing assignments and reflective practice in nursing education

Reflective practice is an ongoing process of purposeful thinking about one's clinical practice to develop understanding, insight, and clinical judgment. It can be enhanced through careful use of writing assignments that require reflection, evaluation, and thoughtful analysis. The uses of writing assignments in the undergraduate nursing programs at a midwestern college of nursing were studied over a 2-year period, using survey methodology. A purposive sample of all faculty who taught in baccalaureate or associate of science (ASN) programs (n=21) completed a questionnaire and were interviewed about the number and purpose of writing assignments in courses they taught. Quantification of the results in tabular form allowed the faculty to look at all writing assignments required of students across both programs with regard to the number, length, and nature of those assignments. Results were then recategorized by type of assignments, changes needed, and faculty assessment of the usefulness of these writing assignments. The summary of written assignments was then cross-referenced according to program, semester, and program level. This produced a working document that illustrated the quantity and type of writing assignments that each student, in each program, at a given level and semester must complete. Information was used by faculty teaching across courses to make changes that more effectively linked course writing assignments by association, themes, concepts, or areas of study. This process enables faculty to collaboratively develop writing assignments that facilitate the adult student's linking and associating concepts across courses, as a true exercise in critical thinking.