In a busy clinical environment, most Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) are experts at doing. Tasks are ticked off, patients are cared for, and problems are solved. But how often do you stop and think: “What just happened — and what can I learn from it?”
That’s the essence of reflective practice, and for veterinary nurses, it can be one of the most valuable tools for professional growth, wellbeing, and better patient care.
What is reflective practice?
Reflective practice is the process of thinking critically about your experiences, both good and bad, to gain insights and improve future actions. It means asking questions like:
- What went well today, and why?
- What didn’t go as planned?
- How did I feel, and how did that affect my actions?
- What would I do differently next time?
It might happen formally (e.g. in a written reflective journal or CPD log) or informally, in your head on the drive home. Either way, it’s a habit of thinking with purpose.
Why it matters in veterinary nursing
Veterinary practice is fast-paced and emotionally demanding. Without space to reflect, it’s easy to fall into autopilot — or worse, burnout. By reflecting regularly, veterinary nurses can:
- Build clinical confidence by learning from mistakes and reinforcing successes
- Improve patient outcomes through more thoughtful decision-making
- Strengthen communication skills by understanding interpersonal dynamics
- Process emotional experiences and reduce compassion fatigue
- Support CPD goals by aligning experience with professional standards
It’s not about overthinking everything, but rather giving yourself the space to grow. When reflective practice is encouraged in a team setting, it promotes a more open, supportive workplace culture.
Reflective practice in degree-level study
If you’re a diploma or foundation degree level RVN and thinking about returning to education, reflective practice is a core skill developed throughout our BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing Top-up Degree, delivered in partnership with Middlesex University. The course includes modules that guide you in writing structured reflective assignments, analysing your clinical experiences, linking theory with real-life practice, and improving clinical intelligence.
Find out more about the BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing Top-Up Degree.
Ultimately, reflective practice isn’t a box-ticking exercise. It’s a way to improve how you nurse, understand how you work, and grow into the kind of professional you want to be. In a profession that’s always changing, reflection is what helps you stay grounded and keep getting better.