Reflection of nursing practice: injection administration.

In this essay I intend to reflect upon the first time I administered an injection. To assist me in the process of reflection I will use De Bono's Six Thinking Hats (1985) methodology of thinking. Although, traditionally, this method is used in business and management, I feel that it is applicable to nursing as it has enabled me to dissect my thinking. De Bono suggests that we need to practice deliberate thinking as opposed to reactive thinking if we really want to progress ideas and reach sensible conclusions (1985). It was with this in mind that he devised the six thinking hats.

The six thinking hats each have a different, significant colour and indicate different thinking processes. The white hat stipulates stating the facts. The red hat states thinking of emotions and feelings. The black hat is identification of error whilst the yellow hat is identification of the positive aspects of the event. The green hat is an opportunity to think about what has been learned from the event. Finally, the blue hat allows you to evaluate the event and state how you would do things the next time. In this written discussion I will 'wear' each hat to enable me to reflect upon and unpick the event.

The white hat is concerned with the facts of the event. I was asked to administer a vitamin b injection. It was an intramuscular (IM) injection, administered into the arm of an 86 year old lady. This was the first time I had ever given an injection. I asked for background knowledge on administering an injection and the nurse stated that talking me through the event would be sufficient information. A qualified nurse had already drawn up the drug. I was observed throughout by two registered nurses, and one talked me through...