Position and Reflective Papers

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Imagine this: you're tasked with writing a paper that not only showcases your professional knowledge but also reflects your personal growth. It sounds intimidating, right? That's position and reflective papers—two unique assignments that challenge nursing students to think critically, express opinions, and dive deep into their own experiences. Engaging with case studies can enhance your reflective writing. Discover more in How Case Studies Boost Nursing Education.

These papers are not as daunting as they seem, so don't worry because, in this blog, I'll walk you through everything you need to know to ace these assignments. This blog will discuss what each type of paper is all about, clarify the differences between them, break down each paper's structure, provide you with sample papers and suggest how you can write one effectively. So, let's dive in!

What Is a Position Paper?

Position and Reflective Papers

A position paper is your chance to state a case on a particular nursing concern supported by relevant evidence. They help prove you can dissect research, form your opinion, and support it well enough to convince others to agree. For instance, you could advocate for better policies to be put in place to protect the confidentiality of patients or assess the ethical aspects of assisted suicide.

Key Features

  • Thesis Statement– Take a stance and clearly state your opinion.
  • Evidence-Based Arguments– Back your claim with credible sources.
  • Counterarguments– Address other opinions and prove them wrong.
  • Conclusion– Sum up your arguments and embrace a call to action.

What Is Reflective Paper?

Position and Reflective Papers

Reflective papers help nursing students to review clinical practice, evaluate actions, and consider outcomes. These papers focus on the development of the person and illustrate how events influence nursing.

Key Features

Introduction of the Experience- Set the context

Reflection and Analysis-Evaluate feelings, choices, and consequences

Connection to Nursing Theory-Refer your findings to theory

Conclusion- The conclusion highlights the growth and outlines steps for improvement.

Position vs. Reflective Papers – Spot the Difference

Position and Reflective Papers

Position and reflective papers may seem similar, but they serve distinct purposes:

Aspect

Position Paper

Reflective Paper

Purpose

Tone

Argue and defend a stance.

Persuasive and formal

Analyze personal experiences

Personal and analytical

Structure

Thesis, arguments, counterarguments

Introduction, reflection, insights

Focus

External evidence and logic

Internal growth and emotions

Anatomy- Breaking Down the Structure of Papers

No matter whether the writer is arguing for a particular point or thinking through a clinical scenario, good structure guarantees the reader is not confused and the paper is well-structured and engaging.

Let's dive into the structure for each type:

For Position Papers

Position and Reflective Papers

A position paper is a formal academic paper with a proper introduction, body and conclusion. Let's break down to understand what each section requires using an example topic about Ethical concerns and mandatory Vaccines: A nurse, Delimma.

Introduction – Hook, Context, and Thesis

Start with a Hook: A hook is the first line of the paper with the purpose of grabbing your audience's attention. So, start with a provocative fact, question, or statement on the topic under discussion. For example:

"Did you know that 60 per cent of the nursing staff experience ethical issues in cases involving end-of-life?"

Provide Context: Provide the definition of the topic and its significance in the nursing profession.

Thesis Statement: Clearly state your position. It should be concrete and contentious.

As Jeffrey R. Wilson said:

Having a Good Thesis statement Makes Writing a Paper Easy: Everything else falls into place once you've got a well-thought-out, well-written thesis. 

For example:

Nurses must advocate for standardized ethical protocols and comprehensive training in end-of-life care to ensure patient dignity and alleviate the moral distress that compromises their professional integrity and well-being.

Body Paragraphs or Building Your Case

This is where the magic happens. In the main body, within 3 to 4 paragraphs, you prove your thesis. Each body paragraph contains one single idea which is supported by evidence.

Develop Arguments

Every paragraph should contain one central idea which is relevant to the thesis statement. Provide evidence through:

  • Research studies
  • Statistics
  • Case studies
  • Expert opinions

Use Clear Transitions

Make continuity between the concepts to be developed in the paragraphs to make cohesion stronger. For instance:

Be Specific

Avoid vague claims. For instance, if an end-of-life situation causes moral distress, instead use this phrasing:

Example:

 "An article published in the CDC journal in 2021 shows that 60% of nurses feel job dissatisfaction due to the ethical dilemma they face during end-to-life situations.

Counterarguments – Strengthen Your Stance

It is essential to mention the opposing views on the stance you have taken. This suggests that you have taken a stance after considering multiple perspectives.

A meta-analysis by O'Keefe found that texts that considered and rebutted counterarguments were more persuasive than texts that did not. So, it's necessary to address opposition.

 This section contains:

  • Acknowledging Opposing Views: Address the other side if you want to show fairness
  • Rebut Strategically: Do not ignore counterarguments, but utilize arguments and facts on why the counterargument is meaningless.

For example:

"Some argue that standardized ethical protocols and training might overly restrict nurses' autonomy and clinical judgment rights, but courts have consistently upheld such mandates to protect public health."

Conclusion – Remind and Call to Action

It's your last chance to leave a lasting impression on your readers. In conclusion:

  • Summarize Key Points: You have to give a short summary of your key points.
  • Restate Thesis: End with a confident reminder of your position.
  • Call to Action:State your recommendations, next steps or consequences.

For example

"Nursing leaders must therefore champion nursing policies that seek to protect the safety of the patient while, on the other hand, protecting the ethical integrity of the situation and improving communication and education programs."

Sample Position Paper

For your understanding, a complete sample paper is attached

Click here to access the sample position paper:

For Reflective Papers

Position and Reflective Papers

A reflective paper focuses on personal experiences, choice, and development of a nurse. It's a little more informal than a position paper but it still must be organized and contain a specific topic or subject matter. For insights into scholarly writing, refer to Scholarly Reports.

 Let's understand the structure by considering an example topic, Effective Communication in High-Pressure Situations.

Introduction – Set the Scene

  • Introduce the Experience: Provide context about the clinical situation you're reflecting on. Who was involved? What happened? Where and when did it occur?

For example:

"In my first week in the ER, there was a very sick patient, and due to the worsening state of the patient, I had to decide on what to do on my own."

  • Highlight the Focus: What is the thematic concept of the reflection that you have written?

For example:

" In this paper, I will describe how I handled situations where communication broke down during this emergency and what I discovered about collaboration in emergency situations."

  • State the Purpose:Explain why this reflection is critical—what did it do to you, and what does it show about the nursing practice?

Body Paragraphs – Reflect and Analyze

  • Describe the Event:Begin with a factual narration, but do not be narrative. However, what needs to be emphasized are as follows:
  • Analyze Your Emotions and Actions: Dig deeper into how the situation made you feel and why you responded the way you did. Be honest yet professional.

For example:

I felt overwhelmed and doubted my ability to communicate effectively. However, I immediately sorted out the priorities of tasks that needed to be addressed so that the patient could be stabilized.

  • Connect to Theory: Use nursing models which are relevant: Gibbs' Reflective Cycle, Kolb's Experiential Learning Cycle, etc. and organize your thoughts

Evaluation: What went well? What could have been better?

Analysis: How did you learn more about patient care, ethical issues, and communication?

  • Draw Lessons: Distinguish concrete abilities or knowledge obtained.

For Example:

"My experience drove the message of assertive communication and priorities to a whole new level during an emergency."

Conclusion – Growth and Future Applications

  • Summarize Key Insights:What have you learned about yourself and your career or a particular field of interest?
  • Highlight Future Goals:State how this is likely to influence your future practice.

"As for future professional development, I would like to focus more on decision making in the context of the rapidly changing environment and to apply such a kind of training like a scenario-based training."

  • End on a Positive Note: Generate hope for a growth process to ensure people embrace a sustainable learning process.

Sample Reflective Paper

Click here to access a complete sample reflective paper:

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Position and Reflective Papers

Let's face it—writing reflections and position papers can feel like navigating a maze with no map for many of you. That's why I am mentioning common mistakes that occur below and how to avoid them.

Lacking a Good Thesis Statement

The thesis is your paper's GPS—it tells readers (and you!) where you're headed. It is pretty standard for students to hesitate on what position to take or what the main argument of the position paper is. Likewise, the reflective papers are usually not well-defined; hence, the thoughts are all over the place. Brainstorm ideas and pick a position which excites you.

Weak Arguments or Reflections

Without credible backing from evidence and studies, your Position papers may feel like a rant, and reflective documents may be too superficial when feelings are not sufficiently discussed. Instead of just saying, "I felt overwhelmed," explain what it taught you about yourself or your practice. Cite all arguments in position papers with relevant information like journals, statistics, and case studies.

Balancing Professionalism with Personal Voice

While writing reflective papers, the papers may appear too informal as you have to share your experience, while position papers may appear too formal and too serious. When writing reflective papers, engage the use of "I” wisely, and when developing counterarguments in position papers, be impartial.

Overcoming Writer's Block

Writing is a process that may be daunting to most people, and this makes them delay their work. First, write down some ideas, then some plan and only after that, begin writing each part in detail. "How do I want readers to feel when they are through?" "What did I learn from this?".

Formatting and Citation Errors

Often, even the best-written papers can be penalized for improper organization of the paper or wrong citation. Always stick to the correct style guide: APA, MLA or Chicago from the beginning of the writing process. Zotero or EndNote are two helpful citation tools that will help you with referencing and checking the bibliography before submitting your work.

Top Tips for Writing Position and Reflective Paper

Position and Reflective Papers

Know Your Audience

 In position papers, try to guess why at your readers may want to ask or argue and then answer them. In case of reflective papers, consider who is the audience –professors may be looking for growth, while peers might expect relatable experiences.

Use Powerful Language

Do not hesitate to write assertive statements in the position paper, but make sure that there is supporting information. When writing reflective papers, it is essential to use adjectives to create vivid images and feelings.

  • Example (Weak): "It was a stressful situation."
  • Example (Strong): "The moment felt paralyzing as I juggled patient care and conflicting emotions under immense pressure."

Keep It Focused

Avoid wandering off-topic. Position papers should be limited to the thesis, while reflective papers should be limited to the central event or lesson. Headings and subheadings should be used to make the structure of the content clear.

Incorporate Real-World Connections

For position papers, tie arguments to current trends or policies in nursing. Show how your stance aligns with or challenges modern practices. For reflective papers, connect lessons learned to future scenarios, demonstrating growth and readiness for new challenges.

Proofread Like a Pro

Don't let typos and grammatical errors steal the spotlight. After writing, one should take a break and then come back to the paper with a new perspective—or use Grammarly for instant corrections.

If you are still struggling to write adequate reflection or position papers, you can reach out to owlisdom, where expert academic writers provide nursing paper writing services for you for as low as $15

Closing Thoughts

Writing reflections and position papers doesn't have to be a struggle. Do not forget that each of the drafts is a step closer to a better result. Work through the process, make errors, and don't be afraid to let the individuality come through because writing, in general, should be about improvement rather than aiming for perfection.

Disclaimer: Information and services provided by Owlisdom are intended for educational support and assistance only. Please use them responsibly and in accordance with your institution's policies. All content is meticulously reviewed by Stacy Erickson and her team of expert proofreaders to ensure that even AI-generated material is fact-checked and human-verified for accuracy.