Critical Reflection Practice in Nursing Health Care Policy Education

A call to action is in effect for nurses to be change agents and bridge the gaps between the delivery of health care and the social needs of individuals, families, and communities. Response to this charge requires nurses to address long-standing inequity in health care policy and practice realms.

This article describes the creative teaching-learning approach of critical reflection practice as a first step in developing skills and attitude for nurses to do this work.

Early observations of the effect of critical reflection practice on learners show improved appreciation for the intersection of social, economic, and political dimensions operating in health care policy and practice that influence health inequities.

When nurses engage in a practice of critical reflection, they are more likely to identify offensive social determinants, act to ameliorate disparities, and advance the agenda for health equity. [.