Critical Thinking and the Nursing Process
Blanca E. Padilla
VNSG 1329
Coastal Bend College
Date: 11/12/2017
Critical Thinking and the Nursing Process
It is essential for nurses to utilize critical thinking in their daily routines. Critical thinking and the nursing process are associated with each other and are mainly implemented when analyzing the health condition of a patient. Critical thinking should be applied to the nursing process at all times, to ensure the best possible results in determining the health status of all patients. A discussion will be provided, regarding how critical thinking, clinical reasoning and clinical judgment affects the nursing process, explaining features of a critical thinker and illustrating how
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In the nursing process, when one thinks critically, the clinical judgment will result in a resolute, knowledgeable and a focused consequence (de Wit & O’Neil, 2014 and Hill & Howlett, 2013). Applied critical thinking to clinical judgment can be illustrated as making decisions that are correct and applicable, as well as discovering what needs to be accomplished to eradicate the issue(s). One of the key factors concerning the influence critical thinking has on clinical judgments is that it is always based on scientific method(s) and the principles of the nursing process as stipulated by de Wit & O’Neil (2014) and Hill & Howlett (2013). Clinical judgments based on clinical thinking stems from the community, patients and their families’ care needs (de Wit & O’Neil, 2014 and Hill & Howlett, …show more content…
However, being a critical thinker is an imperative part of the accomplishment of the nursing process, as well as encompassing the characteristics of a critical thinker. The effects of critical thinking on clinical judgment proves that it is essential for critical thinking to be put into effect to bring forth sound clinical judgments. Therefore, critical thinking should be implemented in the nursing process always, to guarantee the best possible outcome in determining all patients’ health
This essay will demonstrate an understanding of the clinical reasoning cycle which describes the procedure by which nurses gather prompts, process the data, come to an understanding of a patient’s problem, design and implement interventions, assess results, and reflect on and learn from the process (Hoffman, 2007; Kraischsk & Anthony, 2001; Laurie et al., 2001). The clinical reasoning cycle consists of five main stages, it comprises of; considering the persons condition, collecting indications and data, processing the information, recognizing problems/issues and detailing the assessment (Levett-Jones 2013). Throughout this essay these five main parts of the clinical reasoning cycle will be discussed and put into context. The first step of
Critical thinking and knowledge are the foundation of nursing practice, and the most essential elements in providing quality nursing care. Nu...
Tanner (2006) made a clinical judgment model thinking like a nurse in which research of literature of the topic clinical judgment was reviewed and used to develop
Define a critical thinking task that your staff does frequently (Examples: treat high blood sugar, address low blood pressure, pain management, treat fever, etc.). Create a concept map or flow chart of the critical thinking process nurses should take to determine the correct intervention. Include how much autonomy a nurse should have to apply personal wisdom to the process. If the critical thinking process was automated, list two instances where a nurse may use “wisdom” to override the automated outcome suggested. Note the risks and benefits of using clinical decision-making systems.
Clinical decision making involves the gathering of information, awareness, experience, and use of proper assessment tools. The term is often used when describing the critical role of nurses. The process is, therefore, continuous, contextual, and evolving. Authentic practices and experienced people are required to offer guidelines when needed. Effective decision making in clinical environment combines skills such as pattern recognition, excellent communication skills, ability to share, and working as a team, reflection, use of the available evidence and guidelines as well as application of critical thinking. A Clear understanding of this term contributes to consistency, broadening of the scope and improving the skills. However, this paper aims at providing an opinion on clinical decision making and how it is connected to nursing practices.
Critical incidents are snapshots of something that happens to a patient, their family or nurse. It may be something positive, or it could be a situation where someone has suffered in some way (Rich & Parker 2001). Reflection and analysis of critical incidents is widely regarded as a valuable learning tool for nurses. The 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 of changing 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 ???
Around the 1960s, nursing educational leaders wanted to formulate a nursing theory that contained knowledge and basic principles to guide future nurses’ in their practice (Thorne, 2010, p.64). Thus, Jacqueline Fawcett introduced the metaparadigm of nursing. Metaparadigm “identifies the concepts central to the discipline without relating them to the assumptions of a particular world view” (MacIntyre & Mcdonald, 2014). Fawcett’s metaparadigm of nursing included concepts of person, environment, health, and nursing that were interrelated. The metaparadigm ultimately contributed to conceptual framework to guide nurses to perform critical thinking and the nursing process in everyday experiences in clinical settings.
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.
Yildirim, B. & Ozkahraman, S. (2011). Critical Thinking in Nursing and Learning Styles. 1. Retrieved from http://www.ijhssnet.com/journals/Vol_1_No_18_Special_Issue/15.pdf
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
Critical thinking requires systematic disciplined use of universal intellectual standards (Paul and Elder, 2012). In nursing, the nursing process is a set of organized steps that aid a nurse in thinking critically and focus on how to solve problems related to the patient. The scholarly foundation of nursing practice was not expressed until the 1960s, when nursing teachers and pioneers started to distinguish and name the segments of nursing 's scholarly procedures. This denoted the start of the nursing process.
The use of clinical judgement and decision making in nursing is a cognitive process occurring frequently in clinical setting throughout the day (standing, 2008). It requires us to consider the reason why a decision is needed and the alternatives, before concluding what might the best action in the circumstances presented (Reading and Webster, 2014).
Especially since nurses in the course of their day-to-day work need to be able to act autonomously and make appropriate clinical judgements (9). Reflection can be of value in making sense of difficult situations, as it allows one to clarify the situation for themselves and the outcome is to have a changed perspective which enables the nurses to improve his or her clinical judgement (2). Thus why, it is imperative nurses engage in lifelong reflection which recognises its value for professional growth and development and improvement in the quality of patient care (7). The Gibb’s model of reflection, for example is a great tool that nurses can use daily to help improve these skills.
Kozier, B., Erb, G., Berman, A., Snyder, S. J., Buck, M., Yiu, L., & Stamler, L. L. (2014). fundamentals of nursing : caring and clinical judgment. (3rd ed.). Toronto:
Chris had just been promoted as an Executive Assistant for Pat the CEO, Chief Executive Officer, of Faith Community Hospital. Pat had given Chris her very first assignment on her first day of work as an executive assistant and that was to gather information so that Pat can present the issues to the board of directors. Faith Hospital is faced with issues that needed attention and the board of directors must be notified of the issues so that a solution can be remedy to help the hospital stay in business.