[Reflective writing in nursing education: background, experiences and methods]

In the nursing field, writing one's own educational/professional experience has been utilized for a long time, to develop reflection and therefore learning. Reflective writing has been fostered to sustain the development of nurses' clinical, relational and ethical competence, and to promote self knowledge.

To de scribe reflective writing experiences published in the literature, focussing on the educational contexts and the writing strategies used in the nursing field. Method. Narrative analysis of the international literature, based on the MedLine and Cinahl data sources.

Reflective writing is used in undergraduate, post-graduate and continuing nursing education, to develop clinical learning or a professional and/or personal growth. In the former, short written assignments (also starting from scenarios) are given, while diaries and journals, with prompts focalizing on specific aspects of the experience, support a more global growth of the student/professional. These prompts are useful with individuals not used to write. Critical incidents or meaningful episodes from the clinical practice are also used. Many papers underline the importance of sharing writings with peers and/or a teacher/facilitator.

Nursing students/professionals can be effectively supported by reflective writing in their experiential learning. However, their attitude to reflective writing should be considered with care and a feedback by peers and/or a facilitator must be provided. Since giving feedback requires adequate human resources, the implementation of writing activities in the nursing training should be carefully evaluated.