I have been updating the site and would love not only some feedback, but some dicsussion as well. I've added both a short commentary on critical thinking as well as a concept map based on that commentary. Critical thinking is a woven thread into the practice of all nursing in all settings. How would you help a nursing student understand it? What does it mean to you? Has anyone ever really defined it for you?

How do you define critical thinking? Beyond definitions, how do you think nursing actions demonstrate it?
In some ways critical thinking is blending both past and current knowledge for application. Another facet of it is to ask appropriate questions about how to apply knowledge.

A major part of critical thinking is asking questions. As our critical thinking abilities expand, more and more questions are posed. This is a good thing because it means our minds are open and reasoning and judgment are actively working. Questioning begins in the classroom and then extends into clincal situations. Some examples of critical thinking questions you may ask yourself are:

• What abnormal assessments in this patient match the disease or pathophysiology I am seeing?
• Why am I not seeing evidence of all the symptoms my text outlined?
• How do my patient's symptoms define my nursing actions?

 

What is your take on this?



Nursing students- feel free to weigh in on this. In what types of situations is use of critical thinking easy?

Concept mapping does not just take form on paper. It takes place verbally and mentally as you reason through a situation, skill or assessment! Pretty cool, huh?