All Ireland Society for Higher Education
| Name: | Edwards , Sharon Lorraine |
|---|---|
| Email: | S.L.Edwards@herts.ac.uk |
| Institution: | University of Hertfordshire |
Critical thinking can be used when situations or problems arise in practice where by there is no definitive answer. Everyday nurses sift through an abundance of data and information to assimilate and adapt knowledge for problem clarification in an attempt to find solutions. Nursing work occurs in an unpredictable environment and the nurse needs to be able to learn how to come up with solutions, make decisions or solve unique and complex problems. Critical thinking is more than problem solving and broader than reflective practice. Critical thinking can be integrated into teaching to enhance patient care, making it easier for nurses to come up with solutions to their problems and act. It is proposed to be a process that occurs in two phases: 1. Includes clarifying and analysing information encountered. 2. Identifies the ability for nurses to be able to justify the decision to others, give a rationale, be accountable and take responsibility. Critical thinking skills in nursing need to be incorporated into teaching and assessment to equip nurses with the necessary skills to be able to deal effectively with rapid change, to become capable of higher-level thinking and reasoning. A more detailed understanding of critical thinking will enable nurses to become more critical and questioning of the practices they observe to maintain the full scope of nursing care and use these skills when practice ideals are threatened.
(Abstract ref: #15.)