Providing an introduction to reflective practice, clinical-decision making and professional development, this book explores the concepts in relation to professional practice and inter-professional working, competencies and accountability, and portfolio development.

This essential text brings together in one place the inextricably linked concepts of professional development, reflective practice and decision-making. Fully updated and revised throughout, the new edition of this easy-to-follow, jargon-free title is targeted at nursing and healthcare practitioners and nursing students, providing clear guidance to help the reader think critically about their practice, work within professional boundaries, be accountable for their actions, and plan for their future.

Vital Notes for Nurses: Professional Development, Reflection andDecision-making provides a concise, accessible introduction toprofessional development, reflective practice and clinicaldecision-making. Vital Notes for Nurses: Professional Development, Reflectionand Decision-making explores the core strategies of reflectivepractice and decision-making underlying professional nursingdevelopment. Separate chapters on reflective writing,evidence-based practice, clinical supervision and portfoliosdemonstrate the inter-relationship between professional developmentand professional practice. It is aimed at both student andqualified nurses, recognising that professional development is alife-long commitment. It provides clear guidance to helppractitioners think critically about their actions, work withinprofessional boundaries, be accountable for their actions and planfor their future. * Provides a concise introduction to professional development,reflective practice, and clinical decision-making * Written in a clear accessible style which assumes no priorknowledge * Enables students to consider and develop their practice in orderto become competent practitioners * Each chapter includes learning objectives, scenarios and casestudies * In the Vital Notes for Nurses series

This essential text brings together in one place the inextricably linked concepts of professional development, reflective practice and decision-making. Fully updated and revised throughout, the new edition of this easy-to-follow, jargon-free title is targeted at nursing and healthcare practitioners and nursing students, providing clear guidance to help the reader think critically about their practice, work within professional boundaries, be accountable for their actions, and plan for their future.

Vital Notes for Nurses: Professional Development, Reflection and Decision-making provides a concise, accessible introduction to professional development, reflective practice and clinical decision-making. Vital Notes for Nurses: Professional Development, Reflection and Decision-making explores the core strategies of reflective practice and decision-making underlying professional nursing development. Separate chapters on reflective writing, evidence-based practice, clinical supervision and portfolios demonstrate the inter-relationship between professional development and professional practice. It is aimed at both student and qualified nurses, recognising that professional development is a life-long commitment. It provides clear guidance to help practitioners think critically about their actions, work within professional boundaries, be accountable for their actions and plan for their future. * Provides a concise introduction to professional development, reflective practice, and clinical decision-making * Written in a clear accessible style which assumes no prior knowledge * Enables students to consider and develop their practice in order to become competent practitioners * Each chapter includes learning objectives, scenarios and case studies * In the Vital Notes for Nurses series

Would you like to develop some strategies to manage knowledge deficits, near misses and mistakes in practice? Are you looking to improve your reflective writing for your portfolio, essays or assignments? Reflective practice enables us to make sense of, and learn from, the experiences we have each day and if nurtured properly can provide skills that will you come to rely on throughout your nursing career. Using clear language and insightful examples, scenarios and case studies the third edition of this popular and bestselling book shows you what reflection is, why it is so important and how you can use it to improve your nursing practice. Key features: · Clear and straightforward introduction to reflection directly written for nursing students and new nurses · Full of activities designed to build confidence when using reflective practice · Each chapter is linked to relevant NMC Standards and Essential Skills Clusters

Revision of: Scope and standards of practice for nursing professional development. 2000.

District and community nursing are unique roles within healthcare practice. When visiting patients in their own homes or in residential care homes, district nurses are required to deal with a range of health and social care needs, often in unpredictable and changing environments. As part of the increasingly complex care district nurses offer to patients, independent prescribing can also enable a timely and effective response to providing patient-centred care. This book is specifically aimed at district nurses undertaking independent prescribing within the complexity of contemporary primary health care. It will help district nurses build on the skills and practice they have developed as community nurse prescribers as they develop into the independent prescribing role. District nurses also need to consider autonomous decision making in prescribing practice whilst prescribing as part of a wider health care team, supporting patients to self-manage and considering individual patient and family factors to maintain wellbeing and positive outcomes. Bringing together a range of specialist authors, the book covers the theoretical knowledge and context associated with independent prescribing, enabling district nurses to practice competently and confidently to deliver clinically effective, person-centred care. It offers a complete overview for those taking an independent nurse prescribing course as well as district nurses who have already qualified as independent prescribers.

This new text provides a jargon-free user guide to the key concepts, models and techniques of reflective practice from one of the leading writers in the field. A one-stop source book, it can be used both by the beginner as a handbook and by the more experienced practitioner as a guide to other sources of thinking and information.

"Each chapter's activities are hands-on and should make the book a useful and enjoyable experience. It will appeal to students and teachers as a one-stop shop for portfolio advice and support." Nursing Standard "This text is much needed. Clearly written and engaging, this has the potential to become a gold standard portfolio text." Roger Watson, Editor of Journal of Clinical Nursing and Professor of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Sheffield "Having read this book, I feel that it is not only useful for nursing students, but could be useful for qualified nurses who are working on their continuing professional development folder... As students progress through their course, how they manage their time, their attitude to learning and the goals they set for themselves may change. It is fitting therefore that the first chapter looks at learning in the context of portfolios and includes a time management, desire for learning and self control questionnaire - which although gives no definition to how the student manages their time, could prove to be an interesting activity particularly if completed at the start of a year and then at the completion of the year." Joanne Starkes, Nursing Student "Fiona Timmins has made the topic of nursing portfolios easy to understand with simple terms and many helpful activities throughout while still being easy to read. While covering everything from the purpose of portfolios, content and structure to portfolios in operation this is a book that will greatly help anyone trying to produce a portfolio whether just starting or nearing the end of one...I will deffinately be refering to this book throughout my 3 years as a student nurse making my portfolio and would reccomend others to do so as well." Laura Franklin, Nursing Student "Fiona Timmins has written a book which is not just usefull for student nurses but it also makes the topic easier to understand. Throughout the text there are many activities for the reader to partake in. It covers key topics such as "portfolio content" and "portfolio structure". As a 2nd year nursing student i believe that this text is a valuble asset to any nursing students bookshelf as it is clear, consise and makes what can be a very confusing subject appear much easier." Vicky Bain, Nursing Student "Fiona Timmins has produced a book that is not only simple and easy to read but provides activities that enable the reader to think deeper about the information they include within their portfolio. Remember points dotted through each chapter provide quick and easy hints and tips to look back on while completing a portfolio ... This is one book, which I wish I had the chance to read in my first year, but it will be a handy companion while I complete my portfolio. I will recommend this book to my fellow classmates and also students in the years bellow, as they will defiantly benefit from this book." Leanne Haigh, Nursing Student This accessible book provides a guide to the context of portfolio development and its importance not just to assessment but to the patient experience. All students undertaking pre-registration nursing qualifications are required to complete a portfolio as part of their formal assessment, in order to bridge the gap between theory and practice and to provide evidence of achievements in practice. Fiona Timmins offers a handy guide to approaching, putting together and developing an effective portfolio, helping you answer questions like: What should be in my portfolio? How should I present it? How will my portfolio be assessed? Reflection points and portfolio examples make the book easy to use. Key topics covered include: Learning in the context of the portfolio The purpose of portfolios Reflection and reflective practice Competence in nursing Portfolio content Portfolio structure The portfolio in operation Making Sense of Portfolios is essential reading for all pre- and post-registration nursing students looking for a clear and accessible guide to creating and developing a portfolio.