Driscoll Model of Reflection in Nursing: What, So What, Now What
Direct answer: Driscoll's model moves through What, So What, and Now What. Describe only the context needed, analyze why it mattered using evidence and perspectives, then define a specific future action and how you will know it changed practice. Simple headings still require analytical depth.
Community signal: The model is memorable, but university guidance warns that three short answers can remain shallow. Each stage needs analytical prompts.
Build the right deliverable for driscoll model of reflection nursing
Create a three-part outline turning one anonymized experience into analysis and a verifiable learning action. Driscoll's model moves through What, So What, and Now What. Describe only the context needed, analyze why it mattered using evidence and perspectives, then define a specific future action and how you will know it changed practice. Simple headings still require analytical depth.
- What is concise and anonymous
- So What contains analysis
- Now What follows from the analysis
A worked example for driscoll model of reflection nursing
What establishes that an explanation was misunderstood. So What examines assumptions, evidence, context, and effect. Now What specifies a teach-back step, when it will be used, support needed, and the observation that will show whether it helped.
Review driscoll model of reflection nursing before relying on it
Review a three-part outline turning one anonymized experience into analysis and a verifiable learning action against these conditions: What is concise and anonymous; So What contains analysis; Now What follows from the analysis; Action stays within role and supervision. The student remains the author and must protect confidentiality and follow the actual assignment or revalidation rules.
- What is concise and anonymous
- So What contains analysis
- Now What follows from the analysis
- Action stays within role and supervision
Use the evidence for driscoll model of reflection nursing
In the What section, include only the anonymized facts needed to understand the learning situation: the setting in broad terms, the student's role, the relevant action or communication, and the outcome that prompted reflection. Avoid a long chronological narrative. The section should create a reliable base for analysis without identifying a patient, colleague, service user, or placement.
- University of Edinburgh: What, So What, Now What
- University of Edinburgh: structure of academic reflections
Keep driscoll model of reflection nursing within its boundary
So What carries the analytical weight. Examine why the event mattered, what assumptions were present, how different perspectives or literature change the interpretation, and what effect the student's action may have had. Distinguish evidence from hindsight. A memorable three-question model still produces shallow work if this middle section merely restates feelings or describes what happened.
- What is concise and anonymous
- So What contains analysis
- Now What follows from the analysis
- Action stays within role and supervision
Hand off the driscoll model of reflection nursing result
Now What should specify one feasible action, when it will be used, any supervision or support required, and the observation that would indicate change. The action must follow from the So What analysis and remain within the student's role. Compare all three sections with the actual rubric before submission; the headings are prompts, not a substitute for assessment requirements.
- a three-part outline turning one anonymized experience into analysis and a verifiable learning action
- What is concise and anonymous
- So What contains analysis
Sources and discussion
- University of Edinburgh: What, So What, Now What
official - University of Edinburgh: structure of academic reflections
official
Community posts describe individual experiences and questions; they are not treated as universal proof.
Related guides and tools
Review your own draft without handing over authorship.
Use the headings as prompts, then compare the result with the actual rubric. Nurspective can flag description-heavy passages without supplying clinical conclusions or submission text.
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