Using reflection to develop clinical expertise.

Reflection is becoming widely recognized as an effective means by which nurses can develop their practice and is a prominent feature of both pre- and postregistration education programmes. More specifically, the UKCC directs that all nurses are required to keep a personal, professional profile, which means that they are obliged to engage in reflective activities. In order to develop practice, nurses must reflect on what they do and what they would want to do better. Reflection is a purposeful activity which is more than just a recall of events. Implicit within reflective activity is a need on the relector's part to change behaviour. The following article explores the concepts of expertise and reflection and suggests how one may relate to the other. Its purpose is to heighten awareness of the use of reflection for profile development and ultimately as a means of developing nursing practice.