Critical Thinking

1. Critical Thinking

2. Outline • Objectives • Definition • Why do we need to think critically? • Where do we usecritical thinking? • Applying critical thinking in Nursing process • Critical Thinking in Nursing Practice • Critical thinking skills • Linda’s Stage theory • Characteristics of a critical thinker • Summary • Conclusion • References

3. Objectives • By the end of this lecture , the students will be able to : • Define critical thinking accurately. • Recall 3 out of 5reasons for using critical thinking. • Recognize 3 out of 6 skills of critical thinking. • Identify at least two characteristics of a critical thinker.

4. Definition “Is the objective analysis and evaluation of facts to form a judgment and the ability to think clearly about what to do or what to believe without allowing feelings or opinions to affect you .”   ”the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.” the National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987 (Michael Scriven & Richard Paul).

5. Why Do We Need to Think Critically? • Critically thinking nurses use diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision making to practice safe and effective nursing care to improve clinical system and decrease errors in clinical judgment. • To analyze the way you think and present evidence for your ideas. • It entails effective communication and problem solving abilities, no matter how complex. • Learning Critical Thinking skills can also enhance your academic performance. • Create open minded thinking.

6. Where do we useCritical Thinking? • Critical thinking underlies within: • Reading • writing • Speaking • listening -Which are the 4 basic elements of communication, but critical thinking skills are not restricted to a particular subject area. Being able to think well and solve problems systematically is an asset for any career.

7. Applying critical thinking in Nursing process • We use a systemic, rational, continuous method of planning and providing individualized nursing care, until clients health is improved, restored or maintained. • Assessment. • Diagnosis. • Planning. • Interventions. • Evaluation.

8. Critical Thinking in Nursing Practice • Nurses use critical thinking in nursing practice primarily when: • Solving problems • Making Decisions • Enhancing Communication with Clients • A recent 2017 study conducted on 150 undergraduate freshmen and senior nursing students in Kashan University suggested that the nursing 4 year program doesn’t enhance the critical thinking skills of students enrolled because both freshmen and seniors had the same results. (Mohsen Adib, Ali Hajibagheri)

9. Critical Thinking Skills • Think objectively • Identify different arguments • Evaluate points of view • Recognize negative points in the evidence or argument • Notice implications behind any statement • Provide reasoning for any argument you wish to make

10. The Stage Theory by Linda Elder with Richard Paul • Stage one: the unreflective thinker: unaware of the determining role that thinking plays in their lives. • Stage two: the challenged thinker: aware the role of thinking in creating and solving problems. • Stage three: the beginning thinker: actively using thinking across multiple domains of their lives. • Stage four: the practicing thinker: have a sense of the habits they need to adopt to take charge of their thinking. • Stage five: the advanced thinker: established good habits which are paying off. • Stage six: the accomplished thinker: systematically took charge of their thinking and always looking for ways to improve their habits.

11. Characteristics of a critical thinker • Are honest with themselves, acknowledging what they don't know, recognizing their limitations, and being watchful of their own errors. • Analytical. • Creative. • Curious. • Are interested in other people's ideas and so are willing to read and listen attentively, even when they tend to disagree with the other person. • Practice restraint, controlling their feelings rather than being controlled by them, and thinking before acting. • Have a passion for clarity, precision, accuracy, relevance, consistency, logical-ness, completeness, and fairness.

12. Summary • Definition of critical thinking. • Why do we need to think critically? • Skills in critical thinking. • Critical Thinking in Nursing Practice. • Applying critical thinking in Nursing process. • Characteristics of a critical thinker.

13. Conclusion • Critical thinking is essential for safe, competent, skillful nursing practice. • Critical thinking applies to nearly every aspect of your life, and as a nurse in your patient’s care and patient assessment. • The sharper your skills are, the better care you provide for your patients.

14. References • Kozier, B., ERB, G. Berman, A. and Snyder, Sh, (2007). Fundamentals of Nursing: Concept, process, and practice (7th. Ed.). New Jersey: Person Education, Inc.( chapter 8) • http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/defining-critical-thinking/766 • www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov • www.skillsyouneed.com