Reflective Journal
Objectives:
1. Reflect on thoughts, ideas, experiences, and insights related to the course.
2. Examine personal skills, frames of reference, and assumptions about the provision of care.
3. Gain insight on how students views themselves in relationship to others when engaged in
therapeutic and professional communication.
4. Identify areas for students to further develop their abilities and understanding related to
bedside practice.
Directions: (Professional Identity and Spirit of Inquiry)
Respond to all 5 of the questions below using the same number points. You will be submitting
this assignment as a word document. Grading is based on word count & thoroughness of
reflection, consider utilizing about 300 words for each prompt to reach 1500 word goal.
Emotional Competence Reflective Prompts:
1. Journal prompt 1 (self-awareness domain)
What are your feelings as you begin this clinical experience? Make sure you identify
feelings, not thoughts. Complete the following statement: “l feel…” What past
experiences, perceptions, and thoughts might be contributing to the above feelings? What
personal qualities, strengths, and talents do you bring to this clinical experience? Identify
one goal for the semester related to your personal self-awareness and growth.
2. Journal prompt 2 (self-awareness domain)
Describe a situation you experienced in clinical this week: Describe your thoughts in
this situation. Describe your feelings in this situation. Describe the way your body felt
physically in this situation. What was more difficult to identify—your thoughts or
feelings? Explain why you think this may be. How do your feelings relate to your
thoughts in this situation? Were you aware of this at the time? Reread and reflect on
your entry. Identify one specific strategy you will use to focus your attention on your
internal states during your next clinical day.
3. Journal prompt 3 (self-awareness and social awareness domains)
Judgment is making opinions as to the value of someone or something, considered to be
lacking in tolerance and objectivity.
a) Describe in detail a situation in which you felt you were being judged. Describe
how you felt about this.
b) Describe in detail a situation in which you had judged someone else. Describe how
you feel about this.
c)
How did judging another impact your sense of self in a positive way? In a
negative way? How might judging another have impacted that person’s sense of
self in a positive way? In a negative way? Describe how being judged affected
your subsequent behavior?
4. Journal prompt 4 (self-awareness, self and relationship management domains)
a) Situation: Think about a situation in which you experienced frustration or anger.
b) Identify the behaviors of others in this situation that you reacted to with frustration
or anger.
c) Response: How did you respond? How would you have liked to respond?
d) Analysis: Explore and discuss reasons for the differences and similarities in your
actual and desired responses in this situation.
e) Future Implications: Discuss one strategy for coping with the emotion you
experienced in a future situation.
5. Journal prompt 5 (self-awareness and self-management domains)
a) Locate on NTC library site and read: Henson, J.S. (2017). When Compassion is
Lost. MedSurg Nursing, 26(2).
b) Describe one new insight you have into the relationship between your self-care and
your effectiveness as a nurse. Identify one specific, measurable, and realistic
strategy related to your self-care that you could implement during the clinical day.
�
Harrison, P.A. & Fopma-Loy, J.L (2010). Reflective Journal Prompts: A Vehicle for Stimulating Emotional Competence in Nursing. Journal of
Nursing Education, 49(11). doi:10.3928/01484834-20100730-07
Reflective Journal Grading Rubric (15 points)
Level 5 Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1
Complete
(7.5 points)
• Thoroughly
addresses all 5
questions.
• Entry is at
least 1500 total
words and not
more than 2000.
• Addresses all
3 questions with
fair amount of
depth.
• Entry is at
least 1250 total
words.
• Somewhat
addresses at
least 2 of the 3
questions.
• Entry is at
least 1000 total
words.
• Somewhat
addresses 1
question.
• Answers are
not complete.
• Entry is at
least 750 total
words.
• Entry does
not clearly
address any of
the questions
provided.
• Entry is a
recitation of
significant
experiences in
clinical, OR
• Entry is less
than 750 total
words.
Reflection
(7.5 points)
• Reflection
demonstrates
insight and the
ability to
connect
personal
experience with
theory on all
questions.
• Discussion on
all questions
draws upon self-
knowledge, self-
awareness and
past experience
to gain insight
and create or
discover ideas
that are new and
enhance
professional
growth.
• Reflection
usually (2 of 3)
demonstrates
insight and
ability to
connect personal
experience with
theory.
• Discussion
usually (2 of 3)
draws upon self-
knowledge, self-
awareness and
past experience
to gain insight
and create or
discover ideas
that are new and
enhance
professional
growth.
• Reflection at
times (1
question)
demonstrates
ability to
connect
personal
experience with
theory but 2 of 3
questions are
superficially
answered.
• Discussion at
least once draws
upon self-
knowledge, self-
awareness and
past experience
to gain insight
and create or
discover ideas
that are new and
enhance
professional
growth.
• Entry does
not reflect
application of
theory or
genuine insight
on behavior.
• Objectively
shares
experience, but
reflection is
vague, lacks
depth or
insight.
• Does not
draw upon self-
knowledge,
self-awareness,
or experience to
enhance
professional
growth.
• There is
minimal
evidence of
reflection
• No evidence
of ability to
draw upon
self-
knowledge,
self-awareness
and past
experience to
gain insight.
• Entry merely
recites what
was done/
learned during
clinical.
Harrison, P.A. & Fopma-Loy, J.L (2010). Reflective Journal Prompts: A Vehicle for Stimulating Emotional Competence in Nursing. Journal of
Nursing Education, 49(11). doi:10.3928/01484834-20100730-07
