Question

A nurse is reviewing the concept of critical thinking with a new RN. What remark should be made?

a) Critical thinking is a skill that can be learned and improved with practice.
b) Critical thinking is an innate ability that some people have and others don't.
c) Critical thinking is only important for nurses who work in critical care settings.
d) Critical thinking is not important for nurses because we have doctors to make decisions for us.

Answer 1

Critical thinking is a skill that can be learned and refined through practice, essential for nurses in all healthcare settings to analyze and evaluate information for informed decision-making.

Step-by-step explanation:

When discussing critical thinking with a new RN, it is essential to convey that critical thinking is a skill that can be learned and improved with practice. Unlike an innate ability that one either has or lacks, critical thinking involves the active application of a set of skills to information for understanding and evaluating it. This means maintaining a skeptical attitude, recognizing biases, employing logical thinking, asking appropriate questions, and making sound observations. It is a crucial skill for nurses in all settings, not just those in critical care, as it enables them to analyze, interpret, evaluate, and make informed decisions in a variety of complex healthcare situations. Therefore, it is inaccurate to say that critical thinking is not important for nurses because they rely on doctors to make decisions. The role of nurses involves a great deal of autonomous decision-making, and employing critical thinking is integral to providing the highest level of patient care.