Each and every day our brains take in huge amounts of information. What the brain does with that information is to pull it in, process it by making associations and connections, then file and categorize those connections. This could be called passive thought. Learning and critical thinking occur and expand by making this process a conscious one. Part of the process for successful, meaningful learning that becomes the foundation for critical thinking is the active, conscious participation we take in completing this process. This is what using concept maps is all about. It is a natural progression using learning the way the brain likes to and is used to seeing things. Does that make sense?
Thinking about nursing knowledge and nursing actions follows this same pathway.
Look at the concept map below. Every nursing action is made based on an association. Associations and connections can be made from symptoms, subjective and objective information, labs, vital signs and many other pieces of information. Active thought processes help us to RECOGNIZE that associations and connections have been made.
Thinking about nursing knowledge and nursing actions follows this same pathway.
Look at the concept map below. Every nursing action is made based on an association. Associations and connections can be made from symptoms, subjective and objective information, labs, vital signs and many other pieces of information. Active thought processes help us to RECOGNIZE that associations and connections have been made.