The Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle is a theoretical model used by students as a framework for
reflective writing it is also a tool for you to take forward into your practice as a healthcare
professional. To complete Assessment Task 3, follow through the steps outlined in the
following pages. You will not need to use all of the provided questions.
The Gibbs Reflective Cycle (1988) has several aims some of the important ones are to enable
you to:
• challenge the assumptions and bias you may have regarding nursing and healthcare.
• explore new ideas
• evaluate effectiveness of approaches
• develop a conscience of self-improvement
• link practice and theory.
The model was created by Graham Gibbs in 1988, and it has 6 stages.