Reflection on a Critical Experience in School Nursing
Assignment Brief
Reflections on critical experience within the school nursing team considering personal and professional development.
Sample Answer
Reflection on a Critical Experience in School Nursing
Introduction
Reflection is a central aspect of nursing practice as it allows professionals to learn from their experiences, strengthen their skills, and develop both personally and professionally. The school nursing team plays a vital role in supporting the health and wellbeing of children and young people, providing health education, safeguarding support, and early intervention services. Working within this environment presents valuable opportunities to engage with children, families, and multidisciplinary colleagues. This essay reflects on a critical experience within the school nursing team, considering how it contributed to my development. The reflection will be guided by Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle, which is widely used in healthcare practice as it provides a structured framework for reviewing experiences.
Description of the Critical Experience
The critical experience I reflect on took place during a health promotion session in a secondary school. The school nursing team was delivering a programme focused on healthy lifestyles, including nutrition and physical activity. My role involved supporting the lead nurse in engaging pupils through group activities and discussions. During the session, a student disclosed concerns about their eating habits, suggesting a possible eating disorder. This disclosure occurred in a group setting, which made it sensitive to manage. The experience became critical because it tested my communication skills, my ability to maintain confidentiality, and my understanding of safeguarding procedures.
Feelings
At the time, I felt anxious and uncertain. I wanted to support the student appropriately but was aware of the importance of maintaining a safe environment for the rest of the group. I was concerned about saying the wrong thing or breaching confidentiality. Alongside this anxiety, I felt a sense of responsibility and compassion towards the student. I also felt grateful that the student trusted the team enough to speak openly. These mixed emotions made the experience challenging but also highly significant for my learning.
Evaluation
There were both positive and negative aspects of the experience. On the positive side, I observed how the lead nurse responded calmly and sensitively, acknowledging the student’s concerns without drawing excessive attention to them in front of peers. This reinforced the importance of professional composure and clear communication. The situation also highlighted the trust that pupils place in the school nursing team, which is a strength of this service.
On the negative side, I recognised my own hesitation and lack of confidence in knowing how to respond. While I maintained professional behaviour, I felt I relied too heavily on the lead nurse rather than taking an active role. This made me aware of the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
Analysis
This experience demonstrated the importance of safeguarding and confidentiality in school nursing practice. According to the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code, nurses must prioritise people, practise effectively, and preserve safety. The disclosure required careful management to protect the student while also ensuring follow-up support. It also showed how critical communication skills are in promoting a safe and supportive environment for children and young people.
The situation linked to professional theories of child health and safeguarding. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs suggests that children must have their basic health and safety needs met before they can focus on learning and development. The disclosure reminded me that health promotion is not only about delivering general information but also about recognising individual vulnerabilities.
From a personal development perspective, the experience made me aware of the need to strengthen my confidence in responding to unexpected disclosures. It also emphasised the importance of reflective practice as a means of learning from challenging situations.
Continued...
