In this paper student views on reflective groups, set up as an importa
nt element of the new Project 2000 course in a Scottish College of Nur
sing, are reported, A random sample of 19 students were interviewed, W
hile the reflective groups were very popular with students because the
y provided support, there was little evidence of a linkage between the
ory and practice, It was clear that the ambitious objective of stimula
ting reflection-on-action was not attained, Practice certainly was dis
cussed, but it tended to be dominated by dramatic and emotionally char
ged aspects of care rather than the more frequent routine concerns, Th
ere were, however, indications that the original aim of the reflective
groups could be achieved if tutors could establish a common understan
ding of the purpose of the groups and of reflection, and if the practi
ces on which students reflected consisted less of single day visits wh
ere the students saw themselves as nonparticipant outsiders.