The Importance of Critical Thinking in Nursing

For most people, the word nurse automatically conjures up a stereotypical image we often see on television or in moves: a woman in a white uniform, carrying a tray of tools or medicines. She does not have any opinions and simply does what the doctor says. However, things are different now. Nurses are constantly required to employ critical thinking in every decision and action relating to their job.

What is nursing really about?

A common misconception that existed years ago is that the nursing revolves around bedpans and sponge baths. Thankfully, people are more educated these days about the impact of nurses in the medical industry. However, unless you or someone close to you has ever been admitted to a hospital, you are probably not as aware of the breadth of knowledge and expertise that nurses have to offer. Nurses lead the evaluation and administration of a patient’s treatment. Nurses are the best advocate of patients as they spend a considerable amount of time with them and can systematically monitor their progress. They can convey the effectiveness of a patient’s treatment to the doctor. Keeping an open dialogue like this ensures you get the necessary medical care.

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How Critical Thinking Skills Are Crucial for Health

These days, nurses play a substantial role in a patient’s treatment. They are required to go through intense patient care and medical training. This enables them to handle tasks besides handing out medicines and understand the importance of critical thinking in health practice. Critical thinking makes up one of the most essential aspects of nursing education. They help polish a nurse’s effectiveness and expertise. Developing these skills enables nurses to be in a position to manage various things at the same time such as strategizing patient care, effectively conveying important details to numerous physicians, as well as communicating with the family members of the patients involved.

Medical Research

The critical thinking skills learned in health education also play a major role in medical research. No one is as closely involved in the daily care of a patient as nurses. While they also provide medical care, it is the compassion nurses offer that enables them to connect with the patients. They give patients the opportunity to not only talk about how they are physically reacting to the treatment but also how they feel about it. This nurse-patient relationship is extremely vital for healthcare research. After all, who can offer an observation, analysis and a patient-focused perspective of a treatment better than nurses who have firsthand experience taking emotional and physical care of the patients?

How health education helps develop critical skills

Nursing education covers a multitude of material so you can give your best performance as a nurse. However, becoming an excellent nurse goes beyond just learning terms and theory. You require an analytical mindset to comprehend the course material. The nursing process also helps develop critical thinking capabilities. It includes assessment, diagnosis, planning/outcomes, implementation, and analysis.

As a nursing student, you will notice that there are often multiple ways to solve a problem. They key is opting for the one that seems the most correct. Generally, there are several correct ways to provide patient care, but one of them is the most appropriate. Always narrow down your choice to conclude the best option.

When answering a nursing essay question or an exam, go beyond selecting a single answer. Try to evaluate why your chosen answer is right and the possible consequences of picking it. Simply learning information never translates well into a real-life setting, especially when it comes to nursing.