Theory-Guided Reflection during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The first featured article in the latest issue of ANS is titled “Exploring the Usefulness of
Theory-Guided Reflection During the COVID-19 Pandemic” authored by Kathleen Sitzman, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN; Tristin Carpenter, MSN, RN; Kim Cherry, MSN, RN; and Ileen Craven, DNP, MSN, CNS, RN-BC. We invite you to download this article at no cost while it is featured, and share your comments and reflections for discussion here. Dr. Sitzman shared this message about this work for ANS readers:

I and my study team have been teaching theory-based content in the Caring Science, Mindful Practice Massive Open Online Course since 2015 and have been struck by fact that learners consistently express genuine gratitude for the opportunity to share and reflect upon care-giving experiences with each other in this online caring community of learners. We decided to carefully study this phenomenon in the hope of better-understanding how learners use Watson’s Human Caring Theory to better-understand and describe their feelings and experiences. We found that theoretical structure helped spark memories and careful analysis,and also provided opportunities for meaningful reflection related to the power and importance of caring work. We are hoping this paper will inspire nurse educators to consider adding additional opportunities for learners at all levels of nursing education to learn through theory-guided reflection.