Threaded discussion #2
As the individual observes, the RN must use critical thinking to guide her care specifically since, as she shows, conflict of duties and unpredictable situations can lead to uncertainty and conflict.
The motion for the importance of critical thinking in nursing initiated in the 1960s where Bruner (1961) argued that self-reflection and independent acquisition of knowledge cause that knowledge to become more readily available when needed. No where is that more important than in the nursing field when reliable knowledge should be at hand when needed. Advantages for nurses to practice critical and reflective thinking are numerous and include the fact that the knowledge becomes more vibrant, immediate, and easily accessible, aside from the aspect that new perspectives can be channeled in nursing and erroneous data discovered, challenged, and replaced.
In a more indirect manner, and helpful to this situation where, as the individual observes, greater teamwork is required, critical thinking also fosters greater skills and ability...
Acquisition of critical thinking compels students to investigate and acquire the vocabulary, knowledge, and understanding of related fields other than their own thus enabling them to better participate in communication with diverse doctors at appropriate times, to intervene if necessary, to form a more cohesive working group, and to achieve their nursing task with more skills and understanding.
References
Jennings, B.M. & Loan, L.A. (2001). Misconceptions amongst nurses about evidence-based practice. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 33,121-127
Joel, L. (2009) Advanced Practice nursing: Essentials for role development, Davis, NY
NHS. Quality and Service Improvement Tool. SBAR.
http://www.institute.nhs.uk/quality_and_service_improvement_tools/quality_and_service_improvement_tools/sbar_-_situation_-_background_-_assessment_-_recommendation.html
Profetto-McGrath, J. 2005. 'Critical Thinking and Evidence-Based Practice', Journal of Professional Nursing, 21, 364-371
