Driscoll Model of Reflection for Nursing Students (2024)

No such thing as a perfect ‘model of reflection’ exists in this world. Students pursuing nursing first require evaluating a case scenario and then applying the most appropriate framework.

However, the Driscoll Model of Reflection is a unique and popular method among many as it helps in focusing more on self-reflection rather than an individual experience. It also enables people to target effective communication and personal development by evaluating their responses to a stimulus. This specific model of reflection does not have a rigid structure.

Nursing students can easily use the model to modify its framework and apply questions related to the current scenario that is not a part of the framework.

If you are one of the million nursing students trying to know the Driscoll model of reflection, then going through this post diligently will surely put you miles ahead. Here we will walk you through all the basics of what, so what, and now what model of Driscoll reflective cycle that will help you evaluate your performance to pursue personal attainment levels and improve hugely.

Let’s dive right in!

What Is The Driscoll Model Of Reflection?

Before you plunge deep to comprehend the intricacies of John Driscoll’s Model of Reflection, it’s significant to have a lucid of idea what truly is Driscoll’s Model of Reflection.

The Driscoll Model of Reflection is one of the simplest models you will come across in nursing. Driscoll originally formulated the Driscoll model of reflection in 2007 in 1994, 2004, and 2007. He studied three stems from questions that Terry Boston initially asked in 1970. They were-

• What?
• So what?
• Now what?

He connected these three stem questions to the stages of an experiential learning cycle. Then, Driscoll added trigger questions that must be answered to complete the Driscoll Reflective Cycle.

All of these three phases were designed at different times, respectively, in 1994, 2000, and 2007. As per our stalwarts who studied Driscoll’s reflective model, it is one of the very basic and simple models of reflection for nursing students to implement.

Read More: Gibbs Reflective Cycle Stages

What Is John Driscoll’s Model of Reflection?

As we mentioned above, the Driscoll Model of Reflection was formulated by John Driscoll in 1994, 2004, and 2007. Basically, John Driscoll conducted an extensive study on three stem questions initially asked by Terry Boston in 1970. These were-

• What?
• So what?
• Now what?

By answering these three questions, one can easily begin to evaluate experiences and learn from them. Firstly, in Driscoll’s reflective model, it is essential to explain what the experience or situation was like. The context is vital. This offers the user a profound understanding of what is going on.

This is accomplished by thinking about the ‘what’ question? One needs to also figure out what was learned from the experience. The last phase encourages the user to ponder over the activities undertaken as a consequence of the reflection. While implementing the John Driscoll reflective cycle concept, one must also figure out the answer to questions like- “Should the behavior be changed? Is it crucial to introduce a new thing? Or, is the status quo adequately positive, which means no changes are required?”

Curious to know more? Let’s take a look at the vital steps in Driscoll’s Model of Reflection to develop a better idea-

• Step 1- What?

It is crucial to answer the below-enlisted questions to complete the first step of the structured reflection-

• Explain the experience/ incident/ situation briefly you will be reflecting on.
• What happened exactly?
• What did you do?
• Was someone else a part of the incident or your experience?
• Was the experience positive? Or negative, or both? If so, why?

Step 2- So What?

Answer the following questions to complete the second step of the John Driscoll Model of Reflection 2007–

• What did you feel at the specific moment of the experience, incident, or situation?

• What was your reaction?

• Why did you think you reacted this way?
• Were your feelings similar about the situation then as your feelings are now?
• Did you experience a conflict with your values?
• Do you believe the past incidents have influenced your experience during this incident or situation hugely?
• Was anyone else involved? What were their feelings and reaction? And why do you think they reacted this way?

Step 3- Now What?

Last but not the least, give honest answers to the below–mentioned questions to complete the third step of John Driscoll’s Reflective Model–

• What lessons have you learned from reflecting on this experience/ situation/incident?
• Were there any chances of preventing the negative results?
• If so, how could you have done it?
• Would you do anything differently if the same situation occurred in the future?
• What could you have done to prepare yourself remarkably to face this?
• Where do you think it went wrong last time, and what will you concentrate on now?

>The goal of the Driscoll Model of Reflection is to evaluate your responses to a certain kind of experience or situation. And then, you need to keep constantly understanding and improving if your response towards the same stimulus has changed for the better or not.

Which Fields Use The Driscoll Reflective Model?

The Driscoll Method of Reflection is implemented to be hugely utilized in innumerable events and situations.

Fields, where reflective learning is necessary are the fields that use Discroll’s Reflective Model the most. These fields are not restricted to teaching, business, earth sciences, and even in situations where the need arises to operate with others (Loo and Thorpe, 2002). Customarily, the cases where the Driscoll Reflective Cycle is applied where practice and experience will enhance the practitioner’s performance. The reflective process accelerates the knowledge process and enhances personal judgment solely by notches.

Driscoll Model of Reflection 2007 can be applied to any of these fields as it is a general model. It does not include the elements that are strictly specific to any profession or discipline. But, it is worth noting that John Driscoll developed the Driscoll Method of Reflection with clinical practice situations in mind. Hence, it is unsurprising that the model is most commonly found to be used in any kind of clinical or medical setting.

Educators can also use it as they are the individuals who have been entrusted with the responsibility to educate the future generation. They are the ones who are well-versed in how to implement and where to use this Driscoll reflective model.

Driscoll’s learning methods can also be used in assessing the performance of a manager. Below enlisted are certain potential different situations where it can be applied effectively-

• Conferences
• Transition meetings
• Networking conferences
• Mentoring
• Engaging with senior employees

The key impact of implementing the Driscoll Model of Reflection is that it will improve the learning abilities and help the practitioners become brilliant professionals.

Read More: Kolb’s Learning Cycle and Reflective Learning Styles- Know Everything

Driscoll Model of Reflection in Nursing Practice

Nursing is one field where the Driscoll Model of Reflection can be applied exceptionally. Students and academicians hugely use the Driscoll model of reflection in nursing to assess their performance and evaluate their overall improvement in learning based on their experiences.

Nursing is also an area where the different elements of the Driscoll Model of Reflection (2007) can be assessed. When a nurse begins her journey, she has practically little to no idea of the world she is transitioning into. However, as time passes, she starts acquiring more experience with different patients. These experiences, in conjunction with reflection or reflective models in nursing, can help in evaluating one’s personal growth over a period in terms of tackling patients.

Driscoll’s reflection model in nursing will also enable nursing practitioners to polish their skills. It also helps them start their journey from amateur to the best, allowing them to grow in their shoes. All nursing practitioners can apply the Driscoll Model of Reflection without any direct mentor and can successfully evaluate their impact on their career with constantly improved responses.

Why Use The Driscoll Reflective Model?

All professional nursing models like the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Royal College of Nursing advocate for the use of the Driscoll Model of Reflection.

There are numerous models, and it has been found Driscoll’s reflective cycle is not the most commonly cited. In fact, an anecdotal search of peer review literature demonstrates (1988) is the one more commonly found in practice. But, it requires being argued that Driscoll’s Model of Reflection has numerous advantages, mainly due to its increased level of simplicity.

The three-stage Driscoll Reflective Cycle is much easier to remember than other existing models. Notably, it is not just due to their three easy stages but also the straightforward nature of the model that makes remembering these different stages all the easier. All these stages of the Driscoll Model of Reflection follow a logical and easy-to-recall progression.

The Essential Pros and Cons of the Driscoll Reflective Model

Thinking why one should use the Driscoll Model of Reflection? What purpose will it serve? We have already explained why it is favorable for some and unfavorable for others.

Take a look at the pros and cons of the Driscoll Model of Reflection 2007 to form a clear idea-

PROS

As seen above, the main advantage of the Driscoll reflective cycle is its easy-to-use structure, as it is easy to remember and relatively simple to apply. Using reflective learning may also enhance personal efficacy. The approach of Driscoll’s reflective model also reflects numerous other models, providing many of the steps in an easy-to-apply approach.

For instance, the ERA cycle requires a learner to experience, reflect, and develop an action plan. These three steps are directly comparable to the reflective model of Driscoll.

Furthermore, the Driscoll Model of Reflection is easier than more widely used frameworks, like Gibbs, that incorporate 6 stages. Additionally, the proficiency in Gibbs model requires practice.

Driscoll’s reflective model can also be useful for all who need instant results. If you are out and a simple questionnaire can only save you, then this- ‘What? So what? Now What?’ can serve your purpose. The queued questions are nowhere near complications. Even the best minds associated with nursing claim that beginners can use this model of reflection anytime, anywhere, at their convenience.

CONS

The only and only disadvantage or criticism of Driscoll’s reflective cycle is that it fails to provide you with a deeper reflection. The real work where experiences are gained may not always be logical and subjected to analysis in such a formulated manner as prescribed by the Driscoll Model of Reflection.

There are even situations where reflective learning is inappropriate as the models cannot account for every situation. Even where situations are apt for applying the reflective model of Driscoll, the situation may not have started at the ‘beginning’ of the circ*mstance considered in the analysis. The last disadvantage is that the Driscoll Model of Reflection must be a continual practice. Due to the cyclic nature of the process, singular practice will only offer minimal benefits.

Example of the Driscoll Reflective Cycle

Driscoll’s reflective model examples are always the most outstanding way to clear doubts. However, unless you look at a perfect example, you won’t be able to make head or tail how to use the Driscoll Model of Reflection 2007 remarkably.

To help you out, here we present a clear demonstration of the Driscoll reflective cycle.

• What?

A child was brought by his mother for a standard scheduled vaccination. The male child, aged 4, was upset and appeared extremely scared of the needle. He didn’t want to take the injection. The mother got upset seeing her child in distress. I was asked by the doctor giving the shot to try and distract the child while he prepared to give the injection. I had no clue what to do. First, I tried to speak with the child to distract him. It clearly didn’t work. The mother asked me to play peekaboo with him. I then played peekaboo, pretending to hide behind my hands. The boy finally got distracted, and the doctor gave the injection quickly, which the child hardly noticed.

• So What?

I felt confused and lost at first. I had no idea how to distract the child, and the request to keep him occupied took me by surprise. While I was clueless about what to do, the doctor remained calm. Though the mother was upset, she knew what to do. I was glad I listened to her and could successfully distract the boy. If I had known this before, I could have done this sooner, eliminating stress for him and his mother.

Thus, I learned it is always better to stay prepared. I also noticed that I was tremendously relieved when the child became successfully distracted. I felt happy that I could help.

• Now What?

I learned that I need to be more prepared to distract children when the need arises, not only for injection but any form of treatment that may upset them. If I can play my part and be prepared to distract the child, I will be playing a vital role. I also need to practice keeping a smile and watch for the signs that a child may be getting distressed, especially if their parent is occupied. I also need to stay aware that I am reacting suitable. To accomplish this, I will try to be more observant in the future and also ensure to practice effective communication with children.

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