Why you should read this article:

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To understand how reflection can assist nurses to process events they experience in their practice

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To refresh your knowledge of the main reflective practice models

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To recognise some of the barriers to reflective practice and how to overcome them

Reflection is an essential element in every nurse’s practice and is embedded in the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s code of conduct – the UK nursing regulatory body’s code of professional standards of practice and behaviour. The application of reflection to practice has clear advantages, for example it enables nurses to learn from clinical events and adapt and enhance their skills. This article explores the role of reflection in nursing practice, considers the use of reflective models and explores how nurses can overcome barriers to reflection in their everyday practice. These barriers include psychological stress or discomfort when revisiting challenging clinical experiences, which may have been exacerbated during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.