Good Critical Thinking Means Good Nursing
Nursing is more than just understanding medical procedures and assisting patients. Also, there is more to it than theoretical training and a nice white uniform. Good nursing means making use of an analytical ability called ‘Critical Thinking’ all day, every day.
The definition of ‘Critical Thinking’:
Basically, ‘critical thinking’ in nursing is defined by a collection of techniques and skills that nurses use in their daily work. 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. The components of this type of disciplined concept thinking process or technique are as follows:
Analyzing
Evaluating information generated by or gathered from the patient
Experience
Observation
Application
Skillful conceptualization
Reasoning
Reflection
Effective Communication
What is the result of ‘Critical Thinking Concepts’?
When all of these elements or components are implemented into one conclusive action the result will reflect all of the following:
Accuracy
Consistency
Clarity
Good reasons
Breadth
Depth
Fairness
Precision
Sound evidence
Relevance
Taking the necessary steps to ensure a positive end-result:
First of all, you will have to examine the idea that is appropriate for the reasoning process. All the elements of the situation need to be considered together like the problem itself or the situation that needs a solution.
Any theory pertinent to the situation you are facing needs to be figured in.
Consider any concepts about the current situation.
Now take into consideration all the practical or even experimental foundations for the current situation.
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.
Which type of thinking process will bring about a positive outcome?
Moral thinking
Economic thinking
Scientific thinking
Mathematical thinking
Philosophical thinking
Historical thinking
Anthropological thinking
You must have realized by now that nursing is a rather complex work, that involves much more than fanning about taking temperatures. ‘Critical thinking’ is one of the most important elements in nursing. The conceptual thinking of the busy nurse may look like clockwork. A good nurse makes it all seem easy. 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. The experienced nurse uses her acquired skill base to turbo-charge her critical thinking process. After years of practice, certain nursing skills will become mechanical concepts that will be employed more efficiently for the good of the patients. The skilled behavior acquired due to experience added to the concept processing skills will result in a conceptual process specific to veteran nurses.
It is more than skills acquired during educational and practice years or following positive outcomes, that makes critical thinking. This is about a higher and ideally more successful intellectual capacity that the nurse uses to help her patients and assist the physician.
Is all critical thinking equal?
The effectiveness of the nurse’s own thinking concepts will depend on her own knowledge, experience and accumulated skill base. A passion for her line of work and a good appreciation of human life will be great incentives for a nurse, as she will strive to become better at her job. The more experience and knowledge she will gather in her efforts to help patients, the more effective her conceptual thinking. However, you can’t expect a nurse to be perfect. You can’t expect her to know everything and to be able to do everything. Therefore, critical thinking is an ongoing and life-long process.
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