“The ultimate value of life depends on awareness and the power of contemplation rather than mere survival” (Aristotle, n.d.) Reflection is a process that begins by looking back on a situation by thinking about it. , learning lessons and then using the new knowledge to help you in similar situations in the future. We must evaluate through reflection to determine if change is necessary. We can then decide what action is necessary and what we would do the next time we face a similar situation. It may not necessarily be something you did wrong, it may very well be that you are happy with the outcome of a situation you contributed to and would do it again. It may be something you did differently that had a positive outcome and continuing professional development is now an important part of continued registration with the NMC and is essential to maintaining professional standards. In order to revalidate, nurses must write 5 reflection stories over a 3 year period and each reflection story must explain what the nurse learned from the CPD activity and explain how this relates to the Code of Conduct and in particular to the 4 themes of prioritizing people. , Practice effectively, maintain safety and promote professionalism and trust. Nurses should also discuss the written reflection stories with another NMC RN who covers all 5 reflection stories. Section 9.2 of the NMC Code of Conduct asks nurses to “collect and reflect on feedback from a variety of sources, using it to improve your practice and performance” (NMC, 2015). This is why the NMC promotes reflective practice, as it ensures that the nurse practices within their competence and in a safe manner, whilst identifying areas for improvement. practice Reflective practice also makes nurses more accountable for their actions. (NMC, 2015) Reflective writing is an important feature of professional practice. Nurses must keep a record of their continuing professional development. During annual reviews, nurses are able to present evidence of their development through a portfolio which must contain reflective accounts of their practice. These reflective testimonials will help them identify their strengths and weaknesses, showcase their performance, improve their skills and highlight any areas that could be