critical thinking nurse example

The Value of Critical Thinking in Nursing

• How Nurses Use Critical Thinking
• How to Improve Critical Thinking
• Common Mistakes

Some experts describe a person’s ability to question belief systems, test previously held assumptions, and recognize ambiguity as evidence of critical thinking. Others identify specific skills that demonstrate critical thinking, such as the ability to identify problems and biases, infer and draw conclusions, and determine the relevance of information to a situation.

Nicholas McGowan, BSN, RN, CCRN, has been a critical care nurse for 10 years in neurological trauma nursing and cardiovascular and surgical intensive care. He defines critical thinking as “necessary for problem-solving and decision-making by healthcare providers. It is a process where people use a logical process to gather information and take purposeful action based on their evaluation.”

“This cognitive process is vital for excellent patient outcomes because it requires that nurses make clinical decisions utilizing a variety of different lenses, such as fairness, ethics, and evidence-based practice,” he says.

How Do Nurses Use Critical Thinking?

Successful nurses think beyond their assigned tasks to deliver excellent care for their patients. For example, a nurse might be tasked with changing a wound dressing, delivering medications, and monitoring vital signs during a shift. However, it requires critical thinking skills to understand how a difference in the wound may affect blood pressure and temperature and when those changes may require immediate medical intervention.

Nurses care for many patients during their shifts. Strong critical thinking skills are crucial when juggling various tasks so patient safety and care are not compromised.

Jenna Liphart Rhoads, Ph.D., RN, is a nurse educator with a clinical background in surgical-trauma adult critical care, where critical thinking and action were essential to the safety of her patients. She talks about examples of critical thinking in a healthcare environment, saying:

“Nurses must also critically think to determine which patient to see first, which medications to pass first, and the order in which to organize their day caring for patients. Patient conditions and environments are continually in flux, therefore nurses must constantly be evaluating and re-evaluating information they gather (assess) to keep their patients safe.”

The COVID-19 pandemic created hospital care situations where critical thinking was essential. It was expected of the nurses on the general floor and in intensive care units. Crystal Slaughter is an advanced practice nurse in the intensive care unit (ICU) and a nurse educator. She observed critical thinking throughout the pandemic as she watched intensive care nurses test the boundaries of previously held beliefs and master providing excellent care while preserving resources.

“Nurses are at the patient’s bedside and are often the first ones to detect issues. Then, the nurse needs to gather the appropriate subjective and objective data from the patient in order to frame a concise problem statement or question for the physician or advanced practice provider,” she explains.

Top 5 Ways Nurses Can Improve Critical Thinking Skills

We asked our experts for the top five strategies nurses can use to purposefully improve their critical thinking skills.

Case-Based Approach

Slaughter is a fan of the case-based approach to learning critical thinking skills.

In much the same way a detective would approach a mystery, she mentors her students to ask questions about the situation that help determine the information they have and the information they need. “What is going on? What information am I missing? Can I get that information? What does that information mean for the patient? How quickly do I need to act?”

Consider forming a group and working with a mentor who can guide you through case studies. This provides you with a learner-centered environment in which you can analyze data to reach conclusions and develop communication, analytical, and collaborative skills with your colleagues.

Practice Self-Reflection

Rhoads is an advocate for self-reflection. “Nurses should reflect upon what went well or did not go well in their workday and identify areas of improvement or situations in which they should have reached out for help.” Self-reflection is a form of personal analysis to observe and evaluate situations and how you responded.

This gives you the opportunity to discover mistakes you may have made and to establish new behavior patterns that may help you make better decisions. You likely already do this. For example, after a disagreement or contentious meeting, you may go over the conversation in your head and think about ways you could have responded.

It’s important to go through the decisions you made during your day and determine if you should have gotten more information before acting or if you could have asked better questions.

During self-reflection, you may try thinking about the problem in reverse. This may not give you an immediate answer, but can help you see the situation with fresh eyes and a new perspective. How would the outcome of the day be different if you planned the dressing change in reverse with the assumption you would find a wound infection? How does this information change your plan for the next dressing change?

Develop a Questioning Mind

McGowan has learned that “critical thinking is a self-driven process. It isn’t something that can simply be taught. Rather, it is something that you practice and cultivate with experience. To develop critical thinking skills, you have to be curious and inquisitive.”

To gain critical thinking skills, you must undergo a purposeful process of learning strategies and using them consistently so they become a habit. One of those strategies is developing a questioning mind. Meaningful questions lead to useful answers and are at the core of critical thinking .

However, learning to ask insightful questions is a skill you must develop. Faced with staff and nursing shortages , declining patient conditions, and a rising number of tasks to be completed, it may be difficult to do more than finish the task in front of you. Yet, questions drive active learning and train your brain to see the world differently and take nothing for granted.

It is easier to practice questioning in a non-stressful, quiet environment until it becomes a habit. Then, in the moment when your patient’s care depends on your ability to ask the right questions, you can be ready to rise to the occasion.

Practice Self-Awareness in the Moment

Critical thinking in nursing requires self-awareness and being present in the moment. During a hectic shift, it is easy to lose focus as you struggle to finish every task needed for your patients. Passing medication, changing dressings, and hanging intravenous lines all while trying to assess your patient’s mental and emotional status can affect your focus and how you manage stress as a nurse .

Staying present helps you to be proactive in your thinking and anticipate what might happen, such as bringing extra lubricant for a catheterization or extra gloves for a dressing change.

By staying present, you are also better able to practice active listening. This raises your assessment skills and gives you more information as a basis for your interventions and decisions.

Use a Process

As you are developing critical thinking skills, it can be helpful to use a process. For example:

• Ask questions.
• Gather information.
• Implement a strategy.
• Evaluate the results.
• Consider another point of view.

These are the fundamental steps of the nursing process (assess, diagnose, plan, implement, evaluate). The last step will help you overcome one of the common problems of critical thinking in nursing — personal bias.

Common Critical Thinking Pitfalls in Nursing

Your brain uses a set of processes to make inferences about what’s happening around you. In some cases, your unreliable biases can lead you down the wrong path. McGowan places personal biases at the top of his list of common pitfalls to critical thinking in nursing.

“We all form biases based on our own experiences. However, nurses have to learn to separate their own biases from each patient encounter to avoid making false assumptions that may interfere with their care,” he says. Successful critical thinkers accept they have personal biases and learn to look out for them. Awareness of your biases is the first step to understanding if your personal bias is contributing to the wrong decision.

New nurses may be overwhelmed by the transition from academics to clinical practice, leading to a task-oriented mindset and a common new nurse mistake ; this conflicts with critical thinking skills.

“Consider a patient whose blood pressure is low but who also needs to take a blood pressure medication at a scheduled time. A task-oriented nurse may provide the medication without regard for the patient’s blood pressure because medication administration is a task that must be completed,” Slaughter says. “A nurse employing critical thinking skills would address the low blood pressure, review the patient’s blood pressure history and trends, and potentially call the physician to discuss whether medication should be withheld.”

Fear and pride may also stand in the way of developing critical thinking skills. Your belief system and worldview provide comfort and guidance, but this can impede your judgment when you are faced with an individual whose belief system or cultural practices are not the same as yours. Fear or pride may prevent you from pursuing a line of questioning that would benefit the patient. Nurses with strong critical thinking skills exhibit:

• Learn from their mistakes and the mistakes of other nurses
• Look forward to integrating changes that improve patient care
• Treat each patient interaction as a part of a whole
• Evaluate new events based on past knowledge and adjust decision-making as needed
• Solve problems with their colleagues
• Are self-confident
• Acknowledge biases and seek to ensure these do not impact patient care

An Essential Skill for All Nurses

Critical thinking in nursing protects patient health and contributes to professional development and career advancement. Administrative and clinical nursing leaders are required to have strong critical thinking skills to be successful in their positions.

By using the strategies in this guide during your daily life and in your nursing role, you can intentionally improve your critical thinking abilities and be rewarded with better patient outcomes and potential career advancement.

Frequently Asked Questions About Critical Thinking in Nursing

How are critical thinking skills utilized in nursing practice.

Nursing practice utilizes critical thinking skills to provide the best care for patients. Often, the patient’s cause of pain or health issue is not immediately clear. Nursing professionals need to use their knowledge to determine what might be causing distress, collect vital information, and make quick decisions on how best to handle the situation.

How does nursing school develop critical thinking skills?

Nursing school gives students the knowledge professional nurses use to make important healthcare decisions for their patients. Students learn about diseases, anatomy, and physiology, and how to improve the patient’s overall well-being. Learners also participate in supervised clinical experiences, where they practice using their critical thinking skills to make decisions in professional settings.

Do only nurse managers use critical thinking?

Nurse managers certainly use critical thinking skills in their daily duties. But when working in a health setting, anyone giving care to patients uses their critical thinking skills. Everyone — including licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and advanced nurse practitioners —needs to flex their critical thinking skills to make potentially life-saving decisions.

Meet Our Contributors

Crystal Slaughter is a core faculty member in Walden University’s RN-to-BSN program. She has worked as an advanced practice registered nurse with an intensivist/pulmonary service to provide care to hospitalized ICU patients and in inpatient palliative care. Slaughter’s clinical interests lie in nursing education and evidence-based practice initiatives to promote improving patient care.

Jenna Liphart Rhoads is a nurse educator and freelance author and editor. She earned a BSN from Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing and an MS in nursing education from Northern Illinois University. Rhoads earned a Ph.D. in education with a concentration in nursing education from Capella University where she researched the moderation effects of emotional intelligence on the relationship of stress and GPA in military veteran nursing students. Her clinical background includes surgical-trauma adult critical care, interventional radiology procedures, and conscious sedation in adult and pediatric populations.

Nicholas McGowan is a critical care nurse with 10 years of experience in cardiovascular, surgical intensive care, and neurological trauma nursing. McGowan also has a background in education, leadership, and public speaking. He is an online learner who builds on his foundation of critical care nursing, which he uses directly at the bedside where he still practices. In addition, McGowan hosts an online course at Critical Care Academy where he helps nurses achieve critical care (CCRN) certification.

What is Critical Thinking in Nursing? (With Examples, Importance, & How to Improve)

Successful nursing requires learning several skills used to communicate with patients, families, and healthcare teams. One of the most essential skills nurses must develop is the ability to demonstrate critical thinking. If you are a nurse, perhaps you have asked if there is a way to know how to improve critical thinking in nursing? As you read this article, you will learn what critical thinking in nursing is and why it is important. You will also find 18 simple tips to improve critical thinking in nursing and sample scenarios about how to apply critical thinking in your nursing career.

What is Critical Thinking in Nursing?

4 reasons why critical thinking is so important in nursing, 1. critical thinking skills will help you anticipate and understand changes in your patient’s condition., 2. with strong critical thinking skills, you can make decisions about patient care that is most favorable for the patient and intended outcomes., 3. strong critical thinking skills in nursing can contribute to innovative improvements and professional development., 4. critical thinking skills in nursing contribute to rational decision-making, which improves patient outcomes., what are the 8 important attributes of excellent critical thinking in nursing, 1. the ability to interpret information:, 2. independent thought:, 3. impartiality:, 4. intuition:, 5. problem solving:, 6. flexibility:, 7. perseverance:, 8. integrity:, examples of poor critical thinking vs excellent critical thinking in nursing, 1. scenario: patient/caregiver interactions, poor critical thinking:, excellent critical thinking:, 2. scenario: improving patient care quality, 3. scenario: interdisciplinary collaboration, 4. scenario: precepting nursing students and other nurses, how to improve critical thinking in nursing, 1. demonstrate open-mindedness., 2. practice self-awareness., 3. avoid judgment., 4. eliminate personal biases., 5. do not be afraid to ask questions., 6. find an experienced mentor., 7. join professional nursing organizations., 8. establish a routine of self-reflection., 9. utilize the chain of command., 10. determine the significance of data and decide if it is sufficient for decision-making., 11. volunteer for leadership positions or opportunities., 12. use previous facts and experiences to help develop stronger critical thinking skills in nursing., 13. establish priorities., 14. trust your knowledge and be confident in your abilities., 15. be curious about everything., 16. practice fair-mindedness., 17. learn the value of intellectual humility., 18. never stop learning., 4 consequences of poor critical thinking in nursing, 1. the most significant risk associated with poor critical thinking in nursing is inadequate patient care., 2. failure to recognize changes in patient status:, 3. lack of effective critical thinking in nursing can impact the cost of healthcare., 4. lack of critical thinking skills in nursing can cause a breakdown in communication within the interdisciplinary team., useful resources to improve critical thinking in nursing, youtube videos, my final thoughts, frequently asked questions answered by our expert, 1. will lack of critical thinking impact my nursing career, 2. usually, how long does it take for a nurse to improve their critical thinking skills, 3. do all types of nurses require excellent critical thinking skills, 4. how can i assess my critical thinking skills in nursing.

• Ask relevant questions • Justify opinions • Address and evaluate multiple points of view • Explain assumptions and reasons related to your choice of patient care options

5. Can I Be a Nurse If I Cannot Think Critically?

Two Examples of How I Used Critical Thinking to Care for my Patient (Real Life Nursing Stories) | NURSING.com

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Critical Thinking on the Nursing Floor

Critical thinking can seem like such an abstract term that you don’t practically use. However, this could not be farther from the truth. Critical thinking is frequently used in nursing. Let me give you a few examples from my career in which critical thinking helped me take better care of my patient.

The truth is, that as nurses we can’t escape critical thinking . . . I know you hate the word . . . but let me show you how it actually works!

Critical Thinking in Nursing: Example 1

I had a patient that was scheduled to go to get a pacemaker placed at 0900. The physician wanted the patient to get 2 units of blood before going downstairs for the procedure. I administered it per protocol. About 30 minutes after that second unit got started, I noticed his oxygen went from 95% down to 92% down to 90%. I put 2L of O2 on him and it came up to 91%. But it just sort of hung around the low 90s on oxygen.

I stopped. And thought. What the heck is going on?

I looked at his history. Congestive heart failure.

I looked at his intake and output. He was positive 1.5 liters.

I thought about how he’s got extra fluid in general, and because of his CHF, he can’t really pump out the fluid he already has, let alone this additional fluid. Maybe I should listen to his lungs..

His lungs were clear earlier. I heard crackles throughout both lungs.

OK, so he’s got extra fluid that he can’t get out of his body. What do I know that will get rid of extra fluid and make him pee? Maybe some Lasix?

I ran over my thought process with a coworker before calling the doc. They agreed. I called the doc and before I could suggest anything, he said “Give him 20 mg IV Lasix one time, and I’ll put the order in.” CLICK.

I gave the Lasix. He peed like a racehorse (and was NOT happy with me for making that happen!). And he was off of oxygen before he went down to get his pacemaker.

Badda Bing Bada Boom!

Critical Thinking in Nursing: Example 2

My patient just had her right leg amputated above her knee. She was on a Dilaudid PCA and still complaining of awful pain. She maxed it out every time, still saying she was in horrible pain. She told the doctor when he rounded that morning that the meds weren’t doing anything. He added some oral opioids as well and wrote an order that it was okay for me to give both the oral and PCA dosings, with the goal of weaning off PCA.

“How am I going to do that?” I thought. She kept requiring more and more meds and I’m supposed to someone wean her off?

I asked her to describe her pain. She said it felt like nerve pain. Deep burning and tingling. She said the pain meds would just knock her out and she’d sleep for a little while but wake up in even worse pain. She was at the end of her rope.

I thought about nerve pain. I thought about other patients that report similar pain. Diabetics with neuropathy would talk about similar pain… “What did they do for it? ” I thought. Then I remembered that many of my patients with diabetic neuropathy were taking gabapentin daily for pain.

“So if this works for their nerve pain, could it work for a patient who has had an amputation?” I thought.

I called the PA for the surgeon and asked them what they thought about trying something like gabapentin for her pain after I described my patient’s type of pain and thought process.

“That’s a really good idea, Kati. I’ll write for it and we’ll see if we can get her off the opioids sooner. ”

She wrote for it. I gave it. It takes a few days to really kick in and once it did, the patient’s pain and discomfort were significantly reduced. She said to get rid of those other pain meds because they “didn’t do a damn thing,” and to “just give her that nerve pain pill because it’s the only thing that works”.

And that we did!

She was able to work with therapy more because her pain was tolerable and was finally able to get rest.

What the HELL is Critical Thinking . . . and Why Should I Care?

What your nursing professor won’t tell you about critical thinking .

by Ashely Adkins RN BSN

When I started nursing school, I remember thinking,   “how in the world am I going to remember all of this information, let alone be able to apply it and critically think?”   You are not alone if you feel like your critical thinking skills need a little bit of polishing.

Let’s step back for a moment, and take a walk down memory lane. It was my first semester of nursing school and I was sitting in my Fundamentals of Nursing course. We were learning about vital signs, assessments, labs, etc. Feeling overwhelmed with all of this new information (when are you   not   overwhelmed in nursing school?), I let my mind wonder to a low place…

Am I really cut out for this? Can I really do this? How can I possibly retain all of this information?  Do they really expect me to remember everything AND critically think at the same time?

One of my first-semester nursing professors said something to me that has stuck with me throughout my nursing years. It went a little something like this:

“Critical thinking does not develop overnight . It takes time. You don’t learn to talk overnight or walk overnight. You don’t   learn to critically think overnight .”

My professor was absolutely right.

As my journey throughout nursing school, and eventually on to being a “real nurse” continued, my critical thinking skills began to BLOSSOM. With every class, lecture, clinical shift, lab, and simulation, my critical thinking skills grew.

You may ask…how?

Well, let me tell you…

• Questioning

These are the key ingredients to growing your critical thinking skills.

Time.   Critical thinking takes time. As I mentioned before, you do not learn how to critically think overnight. It is important to set   realistic   expectations for yourself both in nursing school and in other aspects of your life.

Exposure.   It is next to impossible to critically think if you have never been exposed to something. How would you ever learn to talk if no one ever talked to you? The same thing applies to nursing and critical thinking.

Over time, your exposure to new materials and situations will cause you to think and ask yourself, “why?”

This leads me to my next point.   Questioning.   Do not be afraid to ask yourself…

“Why is this happening?”

“Why do I take a blood pressure and heart rate before I give a beta-blocker?”

“Why is it important to listen to a patient’s lung sounds before and after they receive a blood transfusion?”

It is important to constantly question yourself. Let your mind process your questions, and discover answers.

Confidence.   We always hear the phrase, “confidence is key!” And as cheesy as that phrase may be, it really holds true. So many times, we often times sell ourselves short.

YOU KNOW MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU KNOW.

In case you did not catch it the first time…

Be confident in your knowledge, because trust me, it is there. It may be hiding in one single neuron in the back of your brain, but it is there.

It is impossible to know everything. Even experienced nurses do not know everything.

And if they tell you that they do…they are wrong!

The   key   to critical thinking is   not about knowing everything ; It is about   how you respond when you do not know something .

How do you reason through a problem you do not know the answer to? Do you give up? Or do you persevere until you discover the answer?

If you are a nursing student preparing for the NCLEX, you know that the NCLEX   loves   critical thinking questions. NRSNG has some great tips and advice on   critical thinking when it comes to taking the NCLEX .

There are so many pieces to the puzzle when it comes to nursing, and it is normal to feel overwhelmed. The beauty of nursing is when all of those puzzle pieces come together to form a beautiful picture.

That is critical thinking.

Critical thinking is something you’ll do every day as a nurse and honestly, you probably do it in your regular non-nurse life as well. It’s basically stopping, looking at a situation, identifying a solution, and trying it out. Critical thinking in nursing is just that but in a clinical setting.

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15 Attitudes of Critical Thinking in Nursing (Explained W/ Examples)

Last updated on August 19th, 2023

Critical thinking is a powerful tool that nurses use to make informed decisions, provide top-notch care, and untangle complex problems.

Think of it as a toolbox filled with skills that let nurses dig deeper, understand better, and think smarter.

In this article, we’re going to explore the 15 super-important attitudes of critical thinking in nursing .

Each attitude is like a special key that helps nurses unlock the best care for their patients. Let’s dive in and learn about each attitude.

How To Improve Critical Thinking Skills In Nursing? 24 Strategies With Examples

15 Attitudes of Critical Thinking in Nursing

1. Independence

Independence is like thinking for yourself and making your own choices. Imagine you’re deciding what book to read, and you pick one that interests you, not just what others like – that’s being independent.

In nursing, independence means using your own judgment to provide the best care.

For, example, consider Rachel, a nurse, who considers various options to treat a patient’s pain, not just following what others do. Rachel’s independence helps her find solutions tailored to each patient’s needs.

 Just like choosing your own book, independent nurses think critically and make decisions based on what’s best for their patients.

2. Confidence

Confidence is like believing in yourself and your abilities, even when faced with challenges. Imagine you’re trying a new activity, and you trust that you can learn and do well – that’s having confidence.

In nursing, confidence means having faith in your skills and judgment to provide excellent care. Example: For instance, think of Ava, a nurse, who remains composed when a patient’s condition suddenly worsens.

She knows she can handle the situation because of her training and experience. Ava’s confidence allows her to make quick and effective decisions during critical moments.

Just like trusting yourself in a new activity, confident nurses trust their expertise to deliver top-notch care to their patients.

3. Fair-Mindedness

Fair-mindedness is like treating everyone equally and making judgments based on facts, not personal feelings. Imagine you’re playing a game, and you give every player the same chance to win – that’s being fair-minded.

In nursing, fair-mindedness means being impartial and considering all viewpoints without bias.

For example, picture Liam, a nurse, who listens to both the patient and the family when making a decision about treatment.

He doesn’t let his own opinions influence his judgment. Liam’s fair-mindedness ensures that he provides balanced and patient-focused care.

Just like being fair in a game, fair-minded nurses make decisions that are just and unbiased, promoting the best outcomes for their patients.

4. Insight into Personal Biases

Insight into personal biases is like looking at yourself from the outside to see if your own feelings might affect your decisions. Imagine you have a favorite color, and you realize you tend to choose things in that color even if other options might be better – that’s being aware of your bias.

In nursing, insight into personal biases means being mindful of your own preferences and not letting them cloud your judgment.

For instance, think of Maya, a nurse, who knows she might prefer a particular treatment because it worked for her family member.

However, she steps back and considers what’s truly best for her patient’s situation. Maya’s insight helps her provide care that’s unbiased and patient-centered.

Just like being aware of your color preference, insight into personal biases helps nurses make decisions that are based on what’s right for their patients, not influenced by their own feelings.

5. Intellectual Humility

Intellectual humility is like knowing that you don’t have all the answers and being open to learning from others. Imagine you’re playing a video game, and you ask a friend for tips because they’re better at it – that’s being humble about your skills.

In nursing, intellectual humility means recognizing that you can always learn more and considering others’ expertise.

Picture James, a nurse, who seeks advice from experienced colleagues when faced with a complex case.

He knows that learning from others can lead to better patient care. James’s intellectual humility helps him grow as a nurse and keeps him open to new perspectives.

Just like seeking gaming tips, intellectual humility encourages nurses to value knowledge from various sources and continuously improve their practice.

6. Intellectual Courage to Challenge the Norms

Intellectual courage to challenge the norms is like having the bravery to question things that everyone believes are true. Imagine you’re playing a game with your friends, and everyone agrees on the rules – but you speak up and suggest a new way to play.

In nursing, intellectual courage means daring to question established practices and seeking innovative solutions.

For instance, think of Sarah, a nurse, who notices that a routine procedure might be improved for patient comfort.

Instead of staying silent, she speaks up and proposes a change, backed by research and careful thought. Sarah’s intellectual courage drives her to challenge the status quo for the sake of better patient care.

Just like suggesting a new game rule, nurses with this attitude challenge norms to advance healthcare practices and outcomes.

7. Integrity

Integrity is like being honest and doing the right thing, even when nobody’s watching. Imagine finding a lost wallet on the street – instead of keeping it, you return it to its owner because it’s the right thing to do.

In nursing, integrity means always acting ethically and responsibly, even in challenging situations.

Picture Emma, a nurse, who follows protocols and makes decisions based on what’s best for her patients, not personal gain.

 Emma’s integrity shines when she prioritizes honesty, fairness, and patient well-being in every action she takes.

Just like returning that wallet, integrity is a nurse’s commitment to uphold high moral standards and maintain the trust placed in them by patients and their families.

8. Perseverance

Perseverance is like having a never-give-up attitude, even when things get tough. Imagine you’re trying to solve a challenging puzzle – even if it takes time and effort, you keep going until you find the solution.

In nursing, perseverance means facing obstacles and difficulties head-on without giving up.

For example, consider Mark, a nurse, who’s dealing with a complex patient case. Despite encountering roadblocks and uncertainties, Mark doesn’t lose hope.

He keeps researching, consulting colleagues, and trying different approaches until he finds the right solution for his patient.

Just like working through a tough puzzle, perseverance empowers nurses to keep pushing forward and find the answers that lead to the best care outcomes.

9. Curiosity

Curiosity is like having a hunger for knowledge that never goes away. Imagine you’re exploring a new place, and every corner seems to hide something interesting – you want to know what’s around the next bend.

In nursing, curiosity means having a strong desire to learn and discover.

Picture Anna, a nurse, who’s always asking questions like “Why?” and “How?” She’s not content with just knowing the basics; she wants to dive deeper and understand the “whys” behind patient conditions and treatments.

Anna’s curiosity drives her to stay updated with the latest research and innovative methods. Just like an explorer seeking new horizons, curious nurses seek new ways to provide better care for their patients.

10. Open-Mindedness

Open-mindedness is like having a door in your mind that’s always ready to welcome new ideas. Imagine you’re reading a book, and suddenly you come across a different way of thinking – instead of dismissing it, you consider it with interest.

In nursing, open-mindedness means being willing to listen to various viewpoints and explore different approaches.

For instance, think of Rachel, a nurse, who’s used to a specific way of treating wounds. But when a colleague suggests a new method, Rachel doesn’t shut the idea down.

Instead, she’s open to trying it out and seeing if it might work better for her patients. Just like being curious about new stories, open-minded nurses are curious about new ways to improve patient care.

11. Skepticism

Skepticism is like being a curious investigator who asks questions to make sure things are true. Imagine you hear about a magical potion that promises to make you fly – you might be skeptical and ask, “Is that really possible?”

In nursing, skepticism means not accepting things blindly but investigating to find the truth.

Picture Sarah, a nurse, who reads about a new treatment for pain relief. Instead of immediately believing it, she looks for evidence and checks if other experts agree.

Sarah’s skepticism helps her make sure that the treatments she uses are safe and effective for her patients.

Just like asking questions about that magical potion, nurses use skepticism to make informed decisions based on facts.

12. Reflective Thinking

Reflective thinking is like looking back at your day and thinking about what went well and what you could improve. Imagine you finished playing a game and you think about how you did – that’s reflective thinking!

In nursing, it’s when nurses take a moment to think about their actions, decisions, and interactions with patients.

For example, let’s say Jessica, a nurse, had a challenging day where she had to juggle multiple tasks. At the end of her shift, she takes a few minutes to reflect.

She thinks about what she did right, like comforting a worried patient, and what she could do better, like managing her time more efficiently.

This reflection helps Jessica learn from her experiences and become an even better nurse.

Just like looking in a mirror to see yourself, reflective thinking helps nurses see their actions and grow from them.

13. Logical Reasoning

Logical reasoning is like putting together the pieces of a puzzle to see the bigger picture. It’s about thinking step by step to reach a smart conclusion.

Imagine you have a math problem to solve. You start with the information you know and use logical steps to find the answer.

Similarly, nurses use logical reasoning to understand their patients’ situations

Let’s say Emily, a nurse, has a patient with a high fever and a sore throat. She gathers information about the symptoms, asks questions, and puts all the clues together.

By using logical steps, Emily figures out that the patient might have a throat infection and can recommend the right treatment.

Just like solving a puzzle, logical reasoning helps nurses connect the dots and make decisions that make sense for their patient’s health.

14. Evidence-Based Decision Making

Evidence-based decision-making is like being a detective who gathers clues before solving a mystery.

For instance, imagine Alex, a nurse, who wants to find the best way to help patients with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels.

Instead of guessing, he reads research studies and talks to experts in the field. Alex uses the facts he collects to choose treatments that are proven to work.

Just like a detective uses evidence to solve a case, Alex uses evidence to make informed decisions that lead to better patient outcomes.

15. Problem-Solving

Problem-solving is like being a detective on a mission. Think of it like when you have to figure out how to fix a broken toy.

For instance, Linda, a nurse, faces a challenge when a patient’s pain medication isn’t working well. Instead of giving up, she gathers information, talks to the patient, and works with the medical team to find a better solution.

Linda’s problem-solving skills help her piece together the right treatment plan, just like solving a tricky puzzle.

• What is Critical Thinking in Nursing? (Explained W/ Examples)
• What is the “5 Whys” Technique?
• What Are Socratic Questions?
• Clinical Reasoning In Nursing (Explained W/ Example)
• 8 Stages Of The Clinical Reasoning Cycle

Critical thinking is a powerful tool that nurses use every day. These 15 attitudes are like a treasure map that guides nurses through the world of healthcare.

From being independent thinkers to having the courage to challenge norms, these attitudes help nurses provide the best care possible.

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How to Apply Critical Thinking in Nursing

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Harnessing the power of critical thinking can be the key to becoming a successful and competent nurse. 

Developing and refining your critical thinking skills is crucial as you embark on your nursing journey. By doing so, you’ll enhance your ability to provide high-quality care, advance your professional growth, and contribute to the ever-evolving nursing field.

What is critical thinking in nursing?

Critical thinking is an essential cognitive process that enables nurses to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information to make informed decisions. In the context of nursing, it involves observing, interpreting, and responding to patient needs effectively. 

Critical thinking allows nurses to go beyond memorized facts and apply logical reasoning to address patient problems holistically.

As a nurse, you’ll encounter multifaceted healthcare scenarios, each presenting its unique challenges. Critical thinking enables you to approach these situations systematically, evaluate the available data, identify relevant factors, and understand the patient’s condition comprehensively.

By employing critical thinking skills, you can differentiate between urgent and non-urgent issues, prioritize care, anticipate potential complications, and adapt your interventions accordingly. This analytical approach helps minimize errors, promote patient safety, and achieve positive patient outcomes.

Why is critical thinking important in nursing?

Critical thinking serves as the backbone of nursing practice. You’ll encounter various uncertainties, changing conditions, and ethical dilemmas as a nurse. Developing critical thinking abilities empowers you to navigate these challenges confidently and provide optimal patient care.

In nursing, critical thinking is crucial for the following reasons:

• Enhanced Clinical Judgment: Critical thinking enables assessing complex situations, analyzing available information, and drawing logical conclusions. It enhances your clinical judgment, allowing you to make informed decisions based on the best available evidence and expert consensus.
• Effective Problem Solving: Nursing involves encountering problems and finding effective solutions. Critical thinking equips you with the tools to identify underlying issues, explore alternative options, and implement interventions that address the root cause of the problem.
• Patient Advocacy: Critical thinking empowers you to advocate for your patients’ needs. By actively engaging in critical inquiry, you can challenge assumptions, question policies, and promote patient-centered care.
• Adapting to Changing Environments: Healthcare is constantly evolving, with new research findings, technologies, and treatments emerging regularly. Developing critical thinking skills helps you adapt to these changes, ensuring you stay updated and deliver evidence-based care.

Examples of Critical Thinking in Nursing

Let’s dive into some real-life examples that highlight how critical thinking plays a crucial role in nursing practice:

• Prioritization: Imagine working in an emergency department where multiple patients arrive simultaneously with varying degrees of severity. Utilizing critical thinking, you can assess each patient’s condition, prioritize care based on the urgency of their needs, and allocate resources effectively.
• Medication Administration: When administering medication, critical thinking prompts you to cross-check the prescribed dose, assess potential drug interactions or allergies, and evaluate the patient’s response to the medication. This proactive approach ensures patient safety and minimizes medication errors.
• Ethical Dilemmas: Critical thinking helps you navigate complex ethical dilemmas by analyzing the values at stake, considering legal and ethical principles, and collaborating with the healthcare team to make decisions that align with the patient’s best interests.

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At SimpleNursing , we understand the significance of critical thinking in nursing education. Our comprehensive digital study tools are designed to enhance your critical thinking abilities, providing you with interactive case studies, practice questions, and simulated patient scenarios. 

Boost your confidence and excel in your nursing studies with SimpleNursing’s innovative study resources.

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