NRS 430V Grand Canyon University Critical Thinking in Nursing Discussion
1)Re: Topic 2 DQ 1Critical thinking "has been identified as a crucial component in the ability to provide safe, effective, appropriate, and timely care" (Ward-Smith, 2020). When critical thinking is applied it enables nurses to make informed decisions in the best interest of our patients based on data collected during complete nursing assessments and nursing judgement. When nurses exhibit critical thinking there needs to be interpretation of data, finding a solution to the problem, implementing the solution, then monitoring for changes in the condition. One way I implement this in my practice is monitoring septic patients' vital signs every 15 minutes to trend them. Correlating the trends, finding the source of infection, evaluating labs, and interpreting assessments can point you in the correct direction for patient care. By interpreting all of this information you can make an informed decision on how to treat the patient, implement the needed interventions, and monitor for outcomes positive or negative. This cycle is critical and never ending working with critical patients. Critical thinking allows the nurse to be proactive in the patients' treatment preventing any unnecessarily poor outcomes.Evidence based practice is defined as "care that integrates current best scientific evidence with clinical experience, knowledge of pathophysiology, knowledge of psychosocial issues, and decision-making preferences of patients" (Brown, 2003). Throughout nursing, nurses have asked themselves how they can do better, what can they do to improve patient outcomes and care, and why we implement certain procedures. By collecting scientific evidence, clinic nurses are able to adapt their practices to improve patient outcomes and improve their own practices.Both evidenced based practice and critical thinking are important in nursing as stated in Nursing; Reports Summarize Nursing Education Findings from University of Texas "understanding this relationship will help nurse educators and clinicians in cultivating critical thinking skills in nursing staff to most effectively apply evidence at the bedside" (2016). When clinicians feel they understand how and why they are more likely to implement those ideas into their personal practices.RefrencesBrown, C. G. (2003). Research Utilization and Evidence- Based Practice Yield Favorable Patient Outcomes. ONS News, 18(9), 1–5.Reports Summarize Nursing Education Findings from University of Texas (Probing the Relationship Between Evidence-Based Practice Implementation Models and Critical Thinking in Applied Nursing Practice). (2016, July 20). Education Letter, 89.Ward-Smith, P. (2020). The Nurse as a Critical Thinking Expert. Urologic Nursing, 40(1), 5–49. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.7257/1053-816X.2020.40.1.52)Critical thinking in nursing refers to the ability to reason clearly and rationally about our actions. Gambrill (2018) says that a person can have good retention ability but lack critical thinking skills since critical thinking encompass more than just accumulation of information. An individual thinking rationally has the capability to understand coherent connections of ideas and skills thus is able to reflect on his own actions. Evidence based practice is defined as application of current evidence in decision making concerning patient care. EBP refers to a problematic approach used to solve both clinical and administrative problems. Critical thinking in nursing because apart from forming basis for science, democracy as well as policy implementation. It prioritize decisions from the rest.Critical thinking is very crucial in evidence-based practice since it helps in promoting patient outcome (Achilleos, 2018). Of all the knowledge and skills required in nursing, critical thinking skills is paramount since it supports evidence-based practice. Critical thinking skills also support positive and quality care outcomes. From the above facts, critical thinking skills is essential in evidence-based practice. The above skills entail evaluation of argument. It is a self-regulatory judgement that infers analysis, evidence, and methodology in decision-making (Achilleos, 2018). Furthermore, it is used as a component of EBP and consistently used to evaluate how evidence was incorporated in search findings.3) Critical thinking as described in nursing; “involves applying knowledge and experience by selecting from alternatives, weighing evidence, using intuition, and by pattern recognition. It includes questioning, data collection, analysis, synthesis, interpretation, inference, inductive and deductive reasoning, intuition, application, creativity, and verification” (The Importance of Critical Thinking in Nursing, 2018). Evidence based practice definition is “The integration of clinical expertise, the most up-to-date research, and patient’s preferences to formulate and implement best practices for patient care” (Dean, 2018).As a nurse working in the emergency room, I have to use critical thinking everyday along with the nursing process. Critical thinking is a huge part with triage patients, depending on what the person is in for, an ER nurse sometimes has to think the worst outcome. An example would be if a patient came in for chest pain, the first thing we do is an EKG so we as nurses can see if the patient is having a STEMI or a normal rhythm. However, sometimes nursing is not that easy a patient’s symptoms can be very vague, and the nurse has to change their question’s a little bit differently to get more out of the patient to help assess, and provide the right care to help achieve the best patient outcome. According to Nursing Journal “ Critical thinking skills are very important in the nursing field because they are what you use to prioritize and make key decisions that can save lives. Nurses give critical care 24/7, so the critical thinking skills of nurses can really mean the difference between someone living or dying” (The Value of Critical Thinking in Nursing +Examples, 2020).Combining critical thinking with evidence-based practice will make you a successful nurse for patient’s and family members. This will help explain to your patient’s and family members the reasoning behind the labs, imaging tests, and treatment, along with instilling trust with your patient. Being knowledgeable with the nursing process, evidence-based practice, and having critical thinking skills, you will be able to react during critical situations and have better patient outcomes. Ultimately, our goal as nurse’s is providing the best patient care followed by the best patient outcome.ReferencesThe Importance of Critical Thinking in Nursing. (2018). Retrieved from https://onlinenursing.cn.edu/news/value-critical-thinking-nursing#:~:text=The%20National%20League%20for%20Nursing,both%20factually%20and%20belief%20based.The Value of Critical Thinking in Nursing + Examples. (2020). Retrieved from https://nursejournal.org/community/the-value-of-critical-thinking-in-nursing/#:~:text=Critical%20thinking%20skills%20are%20very,between%20someone%20living%20or%20dying.Dean, J. K. (2018). Practice and Competency Development. In Dynamics in Nursing: Art & Science of Professional Practice. Grand Canyon University. https://doi.org/lc.gcumedia.com/nrs430v/dynamics-in-nursing-art-and-science-of-professional-practice/v1.1/#/chapter/3
