title: Using a critical reflection process to create an effective learning community in the workplace.
abstract: Learning circles are an enabling process to critically examine and reflect on practices with the purpose of promoting individual and organizational growth and change. The authors adapted and developed a learning circle strategy to facilitate open discourse between registered nurses, clinical leaders, clinical facilitators and students, to critically reflect on practice experiences to promote a positive learning environment. This paper reports on an analysis of field notes taken during a critical reflection process used to create an effective learning community in the workplace. A total of 19 learning circles were conducted during in-service periods (that is, the time allocated for professional education between morning and afternoon shifts) over a 3 month period with 56 nurses, 33 students and 1 university-employed clinical supervisor. Participation rates ranged from 3 to 12 individuals per discussion. Ten themes emerged from content analysis of the clinical learning issues identified through the four-step model of critical reflection used in learning circle discussions. The four-step model of critical reflection allowed participants to reflect on clinical learning issues, and raise them in a safe environment that enabled topics to be challenged and explored in a shared and cooperative manner.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Research Centre for Clinical & Community Practice Innovation, Griffith Institute of Health and Medical Research, Griffith University, Nathan, 4111, Queensland Australia. r.walker@griffith.edu.au
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cooke
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.forename: Debra K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Creedy
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000379:methods*; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007857:Leadership; D007858:Learning; D017145:Models, Educational; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education; D012944:Social Support; D013338:Students, Nursing