432 ■ III: ROLE FUNCTIONS OF DOCTORAL ADVANCED NURSING PRACTICE
It is the ability to decide what we should do in any given situation, and to consider one’s
actions in order to deliver change, especially to enhance the quality of one’s practice.
The key to unlocking this practitioner wisdom is reflection, and the key to reflection is
self- awareness.
■ WHAT IS SELF- AWARENESS?
Reflection involves sensitive introspection, and thus, a vital aspect of reflective prac-
tice is self- awareness. Self- awareness is central to the process of reflection and can be
defined as the
Process [over time] of noticing and exploring aspects of the self, whether
behavioural, psychological or physical with the intention of developing per-
sonal and interpersonal understanding.... To become more aware of and to
have a deeper understanding of ourselves is to have a sharper and clearer
picture of what is happening to others. (Burnard, 2002, pp. 30– 31)Thus, self- awareness is the foundation for reflective practice as the outcome from be-
ing self- aware underpin the whole process. When self- aware, you become conscious of
your beliefs, values, qualities, strengths, and limitations. In other words, self- awareness
involves an honest examination of who you think you are. It allows you to see yourself
in a particular context, and identify how your presence and actions affect a situation.
Through self- awareness, we are able to learn how to consciously use ourselves in interac-
tions with others (Forbes, 2008). Burnard (2002) states that being self- aware enables us to
Select therapeutic interventions from a range of options so that the patient or
client benefits more completely. If we are blind to ourselves we are also blind
to our choices. We are blind, then, to caring and therapeutic choices that we
could make on behalf of our patients. (p. 36)
Associated with self- awareness is mindfulness, which can be deceptively simple.
It is moment to moment awareness, being totally in the present. Experiences and sensa-
tions are observed as they are experienced, without being caught up in the mental events
that usually follow sensations. Thoughts and feelings are noted and acknowledged as
they arise, but judgment and analysis is avoided (Kabat- Zinn, 2005). If reflection is a
necessary prerequisite for learning, then mindfulness is a prerequisite for experience. It
represents a simple awareness of what is present from one moment to the next. By being
totally present to whatever arises in your practice, you can respond appropriately and
authentically to the needs of your patients and the situation. Mindfulness is increasingly
recognized as being beneficial in nursing practice (White, 2014). As a Doctor of Nursing
Practice (DNP) student, mindful self- awareness also assists you with identifying your
own learning needs and the ways in which your learning needs can be met. It is then
involved in your evaluation of whether those needs have been met.
■ HOW DO YOU REFLECT ON PRACTICE?
Donald Schön (1987) noted differences between reflection- on- action happening after
practice, and reflection- in- action happening in the moment of practice. For example, as