Critical thinking involves the intellectual discipline to conceptualize, analyze, apply, synthesize skillfully, and evaluate information. The data is produced by or collected from communication, observation, reasoning, experience, or reflection to guide action and belief. Critical thinking is based on general intellectual values that surpass barriers of subject matter. Practical nursing has changed from just a caregiving work to a highly responsible and complex profession. Therefore, nurses' roles have reformed from task-oriented to a patient-centered, team-based approach that emphasizes the outcomes of patients. Thus, strong skills in critical thinking are required in practical nursing as they have the maximum effect on patient outcomes.
In practical nursing, critical thinking an essential skill involved in patient care. Nurses encounter different issues among patients when taking care of them. For instance, a patient might be asking for a kind of treatment that might be unfit for their health. The nurse's responsibility is to ensure that the patient is contented and understands the best treatment for them. Nurses might also encounter nagging patients and their families. They ought to use critical thinking in handling the patient to ensure that they feel cared for in the hospital. Nurses use critical thinking skills to choose between multiple treatments or solutions available for every patient (Tanner, 2000). They understand the condition of the patient and make the best decisions to improve it. In every unique environment, nurses make different decisions that rely on their efficient skills.
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Critical thinking is necessary for the exchange of ideas that ensure patient safety. A patient care team usually included a few persons who have to deliver information without misunderstanding or mistakes. They need to be effective in handling the well-being of another person. At times, the nursing team might disagree on a care plan, thus requiring critical thinking to agree on what suits the patient. They safeguard the patient's interests from harm (Chabeli, 2007). In situations with high pressure, nurses always get a clearly defined line to distinguish between the wrong and correct; however, critical thinking provides a way to interpret the gathered information and make the right decisions.
In addition, critical thinking enables decision-making in practical nursing. Even though people consider health care a scientific process with mandates and procedures covering patient care, there are still many instances that necessitate nurses to frame new plans in seconds (Tanner, 2000). Critical thinking is applied here in handy. Abilities of decision-making are linked to necessary thinking skills in deciding what the patient needs. Making use of critical thinking skills enables nurses to develop and maintain them. They make decisions and give treatments that improve the patient's health.
As a nurse, I can use critical thinking to ensure the efficiency and safety of the patients in the hospital. I can mainly use critical thinking in areas of urgent care where one of my decisions can change a patient's result. I can also continue to enhance my necessary thinking skills with every shift at the workplace. I can pick the bits of intelligence of the experienced colleagues around me to assist me in getting the mindset (Chabeli, 2007). Following the given guidelines from the leaders can also help me to incorporate critical thinking in my job.
In conclusion, nurses require critical thinking in their practice of nursing. They apply it in solving patients' problems and making decisions to heighten the effect. It is an essential skill for efficient and safe nursing intervention. Nurses require critical thinking to make a meaningful assessment of every information and daily decision on patient care and the use of resources. The changing settings make it relevant to apply critical thinking to make safe decisions. Thus, critical thinking defines patient outcomes in the healthcare system.
References
Chabeli, M. M. (2007). Facilitating critical thinking within the nursing process framework: A literature review. Health SA Gesondheid , 12 (4), 69-89.
Tanner, C. A. (2000). Critical thinking: Beyond nursing process.
