The impact of reflective practice on nursing students: a scoping review

To explore the strengths and weaknesses of clinical reflection and its impact on clinical practice among nursing students.

Nursing students experience emotional burdens when transitioning from a student to a practicing clinician, with many struggling to apply theoretical knowledge to clinical competency. Reflective practices serve to bridge the gap between theoretical and practical knowledge, while encouraging professional development through self-discovery and self-awareness among nursing students.

A scoping review was conducted in August 2024 across four databases, including PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL and Web of Science. Eligible studies between 2014 and 2024 were included and focused on nursing students undertaking Baccalaureate studies in higher education, who engaged in reflective practice in their program, which included clinical settings such as hospitals, community centres, or simulated learning environments. Data were extracted, grouped into themes and presented through narrative synthesis. The review followed the PRISMA-ScR checklist.

Among the 13 identified articles, reflective practice was found to be beneficial for supporting clinical competency through professional development. Furthermore, self-discovery and self-awareness were enhanced in nursing students when reflective practice was incorporated into clinical situations. Reflection had a positive impact on the emotional well-being of nursing students when confronted with the environmental effects of healthcare and supported their clinical reasoning and decision making in clinical situations.

Reflective practice has a positive impact on clinical practice and provides emotional support during the transition from student to practicing nurse. Integrating reflective practice in nursing curricula may be beneficial to support and inform nursing students how to reflect and its associated benefits to practice.