Should I use Gibbs or Driscoll for my nursing reflection?
- Expert answer
- Undergraduate
- Asked
The question
I have a 1,500 word reflective essay on a placement incident. The brief says to use a recognised reflective model but does not say which one.
My friends all use Gibbs but I have seen Driscoll recommended as simpler. Does the choice affect my mark?
Short answer
Either is acceptable, but they suit different pieces. Gibbs has six stages and works well for a longer essay that needs to show analysis of feelings and alternatives. Driscoll's three questions suit shorter pieces. The mark depends far more on how deeply you analyse than on which model you pick.
Full expert answer
Nursing lecturer
RN, MSc Advanced Clinical Practice
Markers rarely reward the model itself. What they reward is whether the model is used to drive analysis rather than as a set of headings you fill in with description. With that in mind, the choice is practical.
When Gibbs works better
Gibbs' cycle (1988) has six stages: description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion and action plan. At 1,500 words it gives you room to separate evaluation (what went well and badly) from analysis (why, using literature). That separation is exactly where most reflective essays earn or lose marks.
When Driscoll works better
Driscoll's model asks three questions: What? So what? Now what? It is excellent for short reflections, portfolios and revalidation entries. In a longer essay it can let the analysis blur into description, because there is no stage that forces you to bring in evidence.
- Keep description to around 10% of the word count
- Put most of your words into analysis, linked to at least one clinical guideline or study
- Make the action plan specific: what you will do, by when, and how you will know it worked
- Anonymise the patient, staff and placement in line with the NMC Code
This answer explains a method for you to apply to your own work. Copying it into a submission would count as plagiarism, and it is indexed by similarity checkers.
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