Critical Thinking and Nursing

¶ … Evidence-Based Practice Critical Thinking Palmer and coworkers (2007) write that the aspect of critical thinking forms a crucial part of the nursing profession, as nurses always encounter complex scenarios that call for precise judgments, constant learning, and taking clinical decisions. Therefore, critical thinking covers a large problem-solving and reasoning process wherein every view and clinical choice has its basis in evidence. This process incorporates the active components of deliberation, insight, and emotional intelligence, in addition to information credibility, learning, and scope for study.

Critical thinking within the nursing context is impacted chiefly by environmental, psychological, and physiological factors such as confidence level, age, competences, anxiety, exhaustion, prejudice and colleagues. The process of critical thinking proves critical to the development of evidence-based practices (EBPs) of nursing. These practices promote customized nursing care, are more efficient, dynamic, and modernized, and maximize clinical judgment outcomes. EBPs may exhibit a positive contribution to patient health outcomes over a continuum of geographic locations and care settings (Proffeto-Mcgrath, 2005).

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Proffeto-Mcgrath (2005) states that numerous scholars have defined EBP, but the main aspects of patient values, proof, and clinical expertise, regarded as key by these scholars are included. While some consider it a consolidation of most superior evidences from research with patient values and clinical expertise for facilitating clinical choices, others believe it to be a consolidation of nursing skill, the finest existing evidence, and community, family, and individual preferences and ideals.

Still, other definitions incorporate an ongoing interactive process which involves a clear, scrupulous and astute reflection of the most superior existing evidence. As is obvious from the above practical definitions, scholars chiefly concentrate on the most superior ways to identify and implement evidence from studies. EBP denotes a consolidation of the most superior evidence from studies with patient values and clinical expertise in the context of existing resources and local environments. The term 'patient values' denotes individual patients' distinct concerns, expectations, and preferences with regard to clinical decision-making.

Application of Critical Thinking in EBP The disposition and ability to engage in critical thinking is required for, and consistent with, EBP. Critical thinking ability lays the groundwork for medical decision-making. It aids nursing professionals in broadening their thinking beyond protocols and customs. Critical thinking enables a nursing professional to be critical and insightful in everyday practice, as well as makes them confident enough to prudently differentiate between sound and ineffectual practice.

In view of the above fact, an open-minded nature and analytical skills must be taken into consideration as critical thinking elements (Proffeto-Mcgrath, 2005). The skill of analysis which is linked to critical thinking reflects a person's expression and understanding in relation to the significance of a number of scenarios, meanings, and facets. Firstly, a person can attain such comprehension through information classification, decoding, and clarification. Secondly, analysis indicates the person's capacity of ascertaining the real and intended inferential link between questions, statements, judgments, and ideas.

Analysis incorporates the following sub-skills: idea investigation, argument review, and discrimination of claims (Proffeto-Mcgrath, 2005). Broadmindedness refers to the ability to accept divergent opinions and a readiness to seriously consider alternative options. A broadminded person can form opinions, or alter them, based on reasoning and facts. Broadmindedness is a good value for professionals. A broadminded nursing professional is a practical necessity and an academic aspiration. Such nurses accommodate the idea that they may be wrong in their thinking.

By contrast, narrow-minded nursing professionals will stick to their beliefs or position even in the face of blatant evidence. Moreover, narrow-minded nurses resist change on the basis of the view that existing practice, albeit obsolete, has worked well up till now and can continue working well. For instance, when employing a certain protocol, broadminded nursing professionals will be receptive to its currency and suitability in.