Critical Thinking

an important part of critical thinking is allowing your own ego to be put aside and LISTEN to what others are saying. The opportunity to learn exists in every human interaction.

For a more comprehensive description of critical thinking in nursing, see:Critical Thinking and NursingAn excerpt:"Critical thinking is the disciplined, intellectual process of applying skilful reasoning as a guide to belief or action (Paul, Ennis & Norris). " In nursing, critical thinking for clinical decision-making is the ability to think in a systematic and logical manner with openness to question and reflect on the reasoning process used to ensure safe nursing practice and quality care (Heaslip). " Critical thinking when developed in the practitioner includes adherence to intellectual standards, proficiency in using reasoning, a commitment to develop and maintain intellectual traits of the mind and habits of thought and the competent use of thinking skills and abilities for sound clinical judgments and safe decision-making."Another reference:"So what exactly is critical thinking? There are a multitude of definitions - some of them head-scratching-ly complex - so the Foundation for Critical Thinking has assembled some of them on its website. This one is our favorite:Critical thinking is the ability to recognize problems and raise questions, gather evidence to support answers and solutions, evaluate alternative solutions, and communicate effectively with others to implement solutions for the best possible outcomes."

NEVER ASSUME. You'll be proven wrong again and again.

Thanks jade for another great article!

This was great! For someone like me who is making the transition from a doctors office to the hospital this was like a refresher for thorough assessment, although I do assessments at my current job it is quite different in an acute care setting. Thank you

Outstanding!!!

Quote from jadelpnFinally, what is their home life like? Do they live alone? Are they scared? Are they being hurt? Do they have any services in place? Do they need any services in place? Do they need an alternate level of care? Do they, or the family that lives with them, need any specialized teaching to maintain function?

Quote from GrnTeaFor a more comprehensive description of critical thinking in nursing, see:Critical Thinking and NursingAn excerpt:"Critical thinking is the disciplined, intellectual process of applying skilful reasoning as a guide to belief or action (Paul, Ennis & Norris). " In nursing, critical thinking for clinical decision-making is the ability to think in a systematic and logical manner with openness to question and reflect on the reasoning process used to ensure safe nursing practice and quality care (Heaslip). " Critical thinking when developed in the practitioner includes adherence to intellectual standards, proficiency in using reasoning, a commitment to develop and maintain intellectual traits of the mind and habits of thought and the competent use of thinking skills and abilities for sound clinical judgments and safe decision-making."Another reference:"So what exactly is critical thinking? There are a multitude of definitions - some of them head-scratching-ly complex - so the thinking/766" target=_blank rel=nofollow>Foundation for Critical Thinking has assembled some of them on its website. This one is our favorite:Critical thinking is the ability to recognize problems and raise questions, gather evidence to support answers and solutions, evaluate alternative solutions, and communicate effectively with others to implement solutions for the best possible outcomes."

When I was a new girl on the wing, I was always told, "hurry up," "We don't have time to do that," and "Speed up your act." What?? I don't have time to wash someone's face when they're hot? Oh, and five to ten minutes is not always enough time to give good patient care. There were times when I found out the real reason we had to hurry up was just so we can sit down at the nurses station and do nothing. My struggle was with knowing the right people to listen to and when to respect myself first.

This is a great article. It is very informative.

Critical thinking is also thinking through things like, If I give this drug what will it do? Also, why did the doctor order a drug? Also, I have seen potassium still ordered and lasix stopped and the K+ being 4.5 or near 5 and the MD forgot to d/c the K+ along with the lasix. There is SO much to critical thinking, I've seen nurses who need to work on this skill and nurses who it just seems to naturally happen for them. Good article.

I read a quotation recently on the back of a book on critical thinking: "You see what you know." No way around it; this is true. As a new grad, there is so much I don't see because I don't know to look for it. Every day I learn new things that get added to the knowledge bank, which helps me to see these things in the future, but it's a gradual process.It's also hard to know what's important (and to whom). Sometimes I find that when I "critically think" about an issue and talk to someone in the department or one of the docs, it's not really a big deal to them. Better not to assume, as a previous poster said.