This paper discusses the development of the diary as a learning and teaching aid within a post-basic RMN course and outlines the professional, organisational and student needs it was required to meet. Although nurse education is making positive moves towards independent learning in its various shapes and forms, it is suggested that there presently exists a need to formulate a tool to facilitate this process for the teacher, student and clinical supervisor. Whilst it would appear that the benefits to the student by this method allow a more 'process-oriented' approach to learning, it is acknowledged that the relationship between independent learning and the context of nurse education is still young, therefore a prominent area for future research. Although its primary function would be as a teaching and learning aid, it is hoped that it also could be used to obtain qualitative data to study the phenomena of 'process' learning within a practice discipline, through use of a Grounded Theory methodology.