To clarify the significance of critical thinking in nursing education
The phrase critical thinking is one of the most common words encountered by nursing students. These keywords appear repeatedly in written form in all nursing educational materials, such as syllabi, classroom and clinical objectives, and assignment guidelines. Nurses also take the opportunity to discuss and reinforce the importance of critical thinking in both classroom and clinical experiences. However, these actions cover only part of the process that nurse educators can use to communicate the importance of the process as an expectation and to drive this valuable process forward.
There are other important considerations that should be part of the process during all teacher-student interactions. These considerations focus both on the characteristics of critical thinking and on how it can be demonstrated. The considerations are as follows:
1. Define the term. Critical thinking has as many different definitions as there are sources to list them and are usually not specific to educational specialties. Nursing's view of this concept and its application in practice is vastly different from that of philosophy, science, criminal justice, or any other teaching discipline. No single definition can meet the specific criteria of a learning domain or discipline. The term should be tailored to each nursing program, curricula, and course. Defining the term in writing and reinforcing it orally helps students understand the importance of cultivating this skill and also helps to recognize its use as an expectation of nursing education. This important foundation serves to foster critical thought templates that can evolve with both nursing education and nursing practice.
2. Define it according to educational goals. In nursing education, critical thinking is judged by how knowledge is applied. Integrated into all program and course competencies, as well as evaluative rubrics and other resources, it is ubiquitous. Defining, demonstrating and reinforcing how to achieve and evaluate critical thinking not only promotes the critical thinking process but can also reduce student anxiety.
3. Define how it will be achieved and demonstrated in theoretical knowledge. Many nursing students may feel that the only way higher level thinking is theoretically demonstrated is through academic testing. It can be difficult for them to envision static classroom knowledge later being applied to a non-static patient care environment. This process is intimidating for nursing students. Reinforcing the need for this process along with providing a template for critical thinking can ease the transition and foster habits that promote the growth and evolution of critical thinking. This is the core of nursing wisdom.
Another area within theoretical knowledge that needs to be addressed is that of note-taking and studying. The growth and development of critical thoughts both rely heavily on learning styles and brain processing. Educational progression from learning and understanding to application is achieved with developing critical thinking skills. Success starts with this step.
4. Define how this will be achieved and demonstrated in clinical practice. While the clinical performance evaluation tool is used for this purpose, it is helpful to fully explain, define, and emphasize specific actions and characteristics, both as expectations of and demonstration of critical thinking skills. In addition to concepts such as the nursing process, holism, safety and communication that are integrated in nursing care, this also includes characteristics and actions such as information gathering, drawing up a patient problem list and planning care.
5. Demonstrate and reinforce these principles. Regardless of the educational setting, the principles and characteristics of critical thinking can be demonstrated, discussed, reinforced, and integrated into any activity. This process helps provide students with different perspectives on what critical thinking is and how to apply it. Nursing educators also benefit because they gain valuable insight into both student needs and learning outcomes.
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