Clarifying the meaning of critical thinking in nursing education
The phrase critical thinking is one of the most frequent that is presented to nursing students. These keywords appear repeatedly in written form throughout nursing educational materials, such as syllabi, clinical and classroom objectives, and assignment guidelines. Nursing educators also take many opportunities to discuss and reinforce the importance of critical thinking both in the classroom and in clinical experiences. However, these actions cover only a part of the process that nursing educators can use to clarify the importance of the process as an expectation and stimulate this valuable process.
There are other important considerations that must be part of the process during all educator-student interactions. These considerations focus both on the characteristics of critical thinking and how to demonstrate it. The considerations are as follows:
1. Define the term. Critical thinking has as many varied definitions as there are resources to list them and, in general, they are not specific to the educational specialty. Nursing’s view of this concept and its application to practice differs greatly from that of philosophy, science, criminal justice, or any other discipline of learning. No definition is capable of meeting the specific criteria of any domain or discipline of learning. The term should be adapted to each nursing program, curriculum, and course. Defining the term in writing and reinforcing it verbally helps students understand the importance of cultivating this skill and also recognize its use as an expectation of nursing education. This important foundation serves to promote models of critical thinking that can evolve alongside nursing education and practice.
2. Define it according to educational objectives. In nursing education, critical thinking is assessed by how knowledge is applied. Embedded in all course and program competencies, as well as assessment rubrics and other tools, it is ubiquitous. Defining, demonstrating, and reinforcing how critical thinking should be achieved and assessed not only promotes the critical thinking process, but can also decrease student anxiety.
3. Define how theoretical knowledge will be achieved and demonstrated. Many nursing students may feel that the only way higher-level thinking is theoretically demonstrated is through academic testing. It may be difficult for them to imagine that static knowledge from the classroom must later be 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 critical thinking template can ease the transition and promote habits that foster the growth and evolution of critical thinking. This is the heart of nursing wisdom.
Another area within theoretical knowledge that needs to be addressed is note-taking and study. Both the growth and development of critical thinking are deeply dependent on learning styles and brain processing. Educational progression from learning and understanding to application is achieved with the evolution of critical thinking skills. Success begins with this step.
4. Define how it will be achieved and demonstrated in clinical practice. Although the clinical performance assessment tool is used for this, it is useful for explaining, defining, and emphasizing specific actions and characteristics both as expectations and to demonstrate critical thinking competency. Along with concepts such as the nursing process, holism, safety, and communication that are integrated into nursing care, it would also include characteristics and actions such as information gathering, preparing a list of patient problems, and care planning.
5. Demonstrate and reinforce these principles. No matter the educational setting, the principles and characteristics of critical thinking can be demonstrated, discussed, reinforced, and integrated into any activity. This process helps provide various perspectives for students on what critical thinking is and how to apply it. Nursing educators also benefit, gaining valuable insights into student needs and learning outcomes.