Development and Evaluation of Reflective Program Using Concept Mapping for Clinical Nurses

Aims: To evaluate the effect of a reflective program based on self-regulated learning theory on competency of clinical nurses.

Background: Using concept mapping strategies have been used to help student nurses to achieve desired nursing competency, but their effectiveness has not been examined for clinical nurses. Also, reflection is an important education method for nurses. Thus, using concept maps for reflecting nursing experiences can improve their nursing competencies.

Design: A descriptive, comparative design was used. Comparisons between one group in different times using t-test were made. The same group did nothing for the first three weeks, and the group applied a reflective activity for next three weeks. Each time had checked of nursing core competency scales.

Methods. A total of 19 clinical nurses participated in this study in 2015. The reflective program using concept mapping based on self-regulated learning theory includes drawing concept maps and writing reflection diaries for three week. All 6 reflective episodes were completed for nurses.

Results: The overall scores of the nursing competency in the reflective group were higher than those not joined the reflective activity group. Also, the overall reflective level of reflective group improved after the reflective activity.

Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that a reflective activity using concept mapping is useful for helping clinical nurses to gain competency and reflective continuum.