There are a number of aptitudes that can help registered nurses (RNs) succeed in their careers, and critical thinking skills are among the most important. Nurses who have the capacity to evaluate complex situations and make informed decisions are often well-positioned to compete for roles with greater autonomy, more responsibilities, and opportunities to earn higher salaries. Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs encourage RNs to fine-tune their critical thinking capabilities, which can enable them to develop advanced clinical skills and get closer to achieving their career goals.
Why Critical Thinking Is Important
Critical thinking is a self-directed process that involves using observation and deductive reasoning to analyze information, reach conclusions, and take appropriate action. Critical thinkers are self-aware and capable of reflecting on their own thinking processes, which can help them make better decisions in the future. These abilities are especially important in clinical nursing environments, because RNs must be able to prioritize and quickly make decisions that can affect their patients’ safety, according to Minority Nurse.
Those who aspire to pursue an advanced career in nursing should master the following skills associated with critical thinking:
● Observation: Clinical nurses must carefully observe their patients to identify possible risk factors and quickly spot changes in their conditions. They can then use their observations to advise medical teams on appropriate treatment options. RNs should also observe how the other nurses on their teams respond to various types of clinical situations, continually learning from their successes and mistakes.
● Analysis: Nurses should be able to analyze their own observations and all other available information to make the best possible decisions in any scenario. The ability to analyze data and pinpoint relevant trends has become increasingly important in providing quality patient care.
● Interpretation: Those who are interested in clinical nursing careers must be able to interpret the outcomes of patient treatments and other events that occur on their watch.
● Reflection: An important component of critical thinking is the ability to reflect on one’s own thought processes and the many factors that can lead to a particular conclusion. Clinical nurses should be open-minded and willing to consider the strengths and weaknesses of their processes, continually identifying opportunities for improvement.
● Evaluation: Successful nurses are able to critically evaluate every aspect of their teams’ approaches to treating patients, making appropriate adjustments as needed.
● Problem-solving: Nursing teams follow established protocols on a daily basis, but standard procedures may not be the best option in every situation. RNs should be able to see problems from all angles and develop effective solutions quickly.
● Decision-making: RNs should be able to make good decisions with confidence by drawing from their clinical knowledge, previous experience, and analysis of relevant information. They should focus all decisions on providing the best possible care to patients.
Taking a Holistic Approach
In addition to using the above skills to solve problems and make decisions, talented nurses take a holistic approach to critical thinking that accounts for every component of patient care. As such, RNs must use critical listening, writing, reading, and speaking skills to ensure that they are communicating their thoughts clearly, according to the Foundation for Critical Thinking.
● Critical listening: Thoughtfully listening to patients, physicians, and nursing team colleagues enables RNs to gain a deeper perspective and learn new information that can help them improve the quality of care they provide. An important component of critical listening is understanding the underlying logic of how people communicate, which can allow listeners to put information into the proper context and take appropriate action based on what they hear.
● Critical writing: Nurses may apply critical writing skills to develop a clear line of reasoning and effectively explain their ideas. To do so, they must evaluate and analyze information from a variety of sources, formulate a conclusion, and share their findings with physicians and colleagues.
● Critical reading: In the course of caring for their patients, advanced clinical nurses frequently consult medical histories, health research, and other documents that contain important information. Reading these sources critically allows RNs to thoughtfully examine evidence and arguments, evaluate other people’s interpretations, and decide on appropriate courses of action.
● Critical speaking: Nurses must have the ability to discuss their findings and conclusions with other medical professionals. They need to speak thoughtfully and present data in effective and understandable ways.
How a Master of Science in Nursing Can Improve Critical Thinking Skills
Master of Science in Nursing programs guide students in developing critical thinking skills that can help them provide better patient care, improve treatment outcomes, and become capable team leaders. RNs who demonstrate these abilities in clinical settings may qualify for roles with greater autonomy and a broader range of responsibilities, positioning them to take the next step toward an advanced nursing career. Graduates may go on to seek employment as clinical nurse leaders, nurse practitioners, administrators, educators, and researchers, among a variety of other roles with high potential for professional growth.
Learn More
The online Master of Science in Nursing program at Regis College prepares graduates for advanced and specialized nursing roles in settings such as family practices, pediatric units, adult-geriatric facilities, women’s health centers, and mental health institutions. Learn about how this program can lead to career success today.
Recommended Readings:
Growing as a Nurse: Pursuing Further Knowledge and Certification
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