Understanding The Critical Thinking Process Of Nursing
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Knowledge of medical procedure and taking care of patients are but two aspects of nursing. Also, there is more to it than theoretical training and a nice white uniform. It is the daily use of one analytical skill, namely 'Critical Thinking,' that has come to define good nursing these days.
Just what exactly is 'Critical Thinking'?
Nurses use a myriad of techniques that is lumped together under one category referred to as 'critical thinking'. These skills and techniques are actually referred to as concepts that were put together to outline the analytical process used by nurses when evaluating a patient's condition. Below you'll find a list of skills primarily involved in and specific to 'critical thinking' in nursing:
Analyzing Evaluating information generated by or gathered from the patient Experience Observation Application Skillful conceptualization Reasoning Reflection Effective Communication
What are the consequences of using 'Critical Thinking Concepts'?
If a nurse can manage to make simultaneous use of the above-mentioned skills in order to cope with a certain situation, the expected outcome will be the following:
Accuracy Consistency Clarity Good reasons Breadth Depth Fairness Precision Sound evidence Relevance
If you want a positive outcome you need to follow these steps:
First and foremost, you need to analyze the concept applicable to the thinking process. You must examine the situation or the problem you're facing as a whole and refrain from analyzing each element separately.
Any theory pertinent to the situation you are facing needs to be figured in.
Consider any concepts about the current situation.
Next, you should assess all practical solutions applicable to this situation, but do not limit yourself to these; you can also consider alternatives that are still in the investigative stage.
The final step is the reasoning process specific to determining the best action to take. Here you will have to compare all outcomes of a particular action, different perspectives, different conditions and reasoning.
What type of thinking process is involved in arriving at a positive action?
Moral thinking Economic thinking Scientific thinking Mathematical thinking Philosophical thinking Historical thinking Anthropological thinking
As you can plainly see, nursing is much more than just putting on a white uniform and taking temperatures. A major part of nursing is the 'critical thinking' process. A good nurse who can pride herself with excellent conceptual thinking, will give you the impression that her work is like a walk in the park. However, if you think that nurses are born with this type of mind-set, you are wrong. This critical thinking is acquired after a long time of practice and experience. And all the abilities and knowledge acquired over the years go to fuel the nurse's critical thinking process. Good nursing skills become a type of habit or guided behavior based on an intellectual commitment to helping patients. Such a routine is actually a conceptual process that is supported by skilled behavior and information processing abilities.
So you can't really define critical thinking as the result of a constant accumulation of skills acquired either during training or practice as a nurse, or as consequence of positive action. Critical thinking can be defined rather as a superior intellectual ability which can be successfully employed by nurses to the benefit of patients and doctors alike.
What influences critical thinking?
The effectiveness of the nurse's own thinking concepts will depend on her own knowledge, experience and accumulated skill base. If the nurse is dedicated to her patients and is keen on using her knowledge and skills to the benefit of those she takes care of and works with, she will be driven to gather more experience and training. Therefore, her analytical process is likely to be more successful. No one nurse has all the answers and all the skills and all the knowledge. You see, critical thinking, just like any other form of education, is a never-ending process.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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