One of the most essential aspects of doing a job well, no matter what job it is, is the ability to think critically about a situation. Finn (2011) defines critical thinking as “the ability and willingness to assess claims and make objective judgments on the basis of well-supported reasons and evidence rather than emotion or anecdote”. The difference between assessing a certain situation critically and assessing it without any evidence to corroborate your claims is that when you look at something critically, you are using your ability to “come up with the alternative explanations for events, think of research findings and apply new knowledge to social and personal problems” (Finn, 2011). When you can come up with other explanations using evidence, you can also create an alternative way of enhancing the situation. Critical thinking skills are especially important to nurses in a fast-paced setting. Nursing is a very demanding and rewarding field to enter into; it becomes enjoyable when you are good at it. In order to be good at their jobs, nurses need to learn the skills required to think critically and also, relate those skills to their everyday routines. This is known as evidence-based practice. Evidence-based practice is defined as “using the best scientific evidence available to guide clinical decisions and interventions with the goals of fostering self-management skills and improving health outcomes” (Miller, 2011). This paper examines the skills required for critical thinking, how to learn these skills, and how to apply them in clinical settings. (Miller, 2011; Finn, 2011; Noonan, 2011; Lunney, 2010; Wangensteen, Johansson, Bjorkstrom & Nordstrom, 2010; Chitty & Black, 2011).
Critical thinking is an important aspect in ...
... middle of paper ...
.... Professional nursing: Concepts and challenges (6th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Science Health Science div.
Finn, P. (2011). Critical thinking: knowledge and skills for evidence-based practice. Language, Speech & Hearing Services In Schools,42(1), 69-72. doi:10.1044/0161-1461(2010/09-0037)
Lunney, M. (2010). Use of critical thinking in the diagnostic process. International Journal Of Nursing Terminologies & Classifications,21(2), 82-88. doi:10.1111/j.1744-618X.2010.01150.x
Miller, C. (2011). An integrated approach to worker self-management and health outcomes: chronic conditions, evidence-based practice, and health coaching. AAOHN Journal: Official Journal Of The American Association Of Occupational Health Nurses,59(11), 491-501. doi:10.3928/08910162-20111025-02
Noonan, P. (2011). Using concept maps in perioperative education. AORN Journal, 94(5), 469-478.
The article, “Critical Thinking? You Need Knowledge” by Diane Ravitch, discusses how in the past people have been deprived from the thinking process and abstract thinking skills. Students need to be given more retainable knowledge by their teachers to improve their critical thinking skills. (Ravitch).
Critical thinking and knowledge are the foundation of nursing practice, and the most essential elements in providing quality nursing care. Nu...
Rubenfeld, M. G., & Scheffer, K. B. (2015). Critical thinking tactics for nurses: Achieving the IOM competencies (3rd ed.). [VitalSource Bookshelf Version]. http://dx.doi.org/9781284059571
Taylor, C. (2011). Introduction to Nursing. Fundamentals of nursing: the art and science of nursing care (7th ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Craven, R., & Hirnle, C. (2009). Fundamentals of nursing: Human health and function (6th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott.
Healthcare is a continuous emerging industry across the world. With our ever changing life styles and the increased levels of pollution across the world more and more people are suffering from various health issues. Nursing is an extremely diverse profession and among the highest educated with several levels ranging from a licensed practical nurse (LPN) to a registered nurse (RN) on up to a Doctorate in Nursing. Diane Viens (2003) states that ‘The NP is a critical member of the workforce to assume the leadership roles within practice, education, research, health systems, and health policy’.
Reflection and analysis of critical incidents is widely regarded as a valuable learning tool for nurses. Practice requires us to explore our actions and feelings and examine evidence-based literature, thus bridging the gap between theory and practice (Bailey 1995). It also affords us the opportunity to change our way of thinking or practicing, for when we reflect on an incident we can learn valuable lessons from what did and did not work. In this way, we develop self-awareness and skills in critical thinking and problem solving (Rich & Parker 2001). Critical incidents? ?
Preusser, B. (2008). 4th Ed. Winningham and Preusser’s critical thinking in nursing: Medical-surgical, pediatric, maternity, and psychiatric case studies. New York: Elsevier/Mosby Inc.
A myriad of challenges are faced in healthcare today. From over-crowding and long waiting lists to staff shortages which have knock on effects resulting in inadequate skills mix and unacceptable nurse-patient ratios. An aging population, high birth rates and an increase in chronic diseases also puts pressure on the healthcare system. The nursing role has had to evolve in response to changing societal needs and the challenges in the healthcare system today. (McCurry et al. 2009). This can bring additional challenges to nurses’ professional identity. ??
Nursing is ever-evolving. Healthcare in general is becoming more sophisticated, which requires an increase in knowledge and education, as well as the need for nursing staff to be able to think critically. As medical advances are at an all-time high, reimbursement from state and private insurance has decreased. These factors lead to a greater need of autonomy and evidence-based research by RN’s (Huston, 2014)
Sorensen, H. J., & Yankech, L. (2008). Precepting in the Fast Lane: Improving Critical Thinking in New Graduate Nurses. Journal Of Continuing Education In Nursing, 39(5), 208.
In theory and practice, the focus of nurses is on the response of the individual and the family to actual or potential health problems. To evaluate patient care steps has to be taking that incorporates the collection of data and processing that data through critical thinking. The nursing process is essential because it incorporates this concept into a well throughout steps ...
Potter, P. A., & Perry, A. G. (2005). Fundamentals of nursing (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby,
Potter, P. & Perry, A. (2009). Fundamentals of Nursing (7th ed.) St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier, 1029-1084.
Potter, P. A., & Perry, A. G. (2009). Fundamentals of nursing (Seventh ed.). St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby Elsevier.