Diego F. Davidson NUR 4550 Professional Nursing Issues in Practice, Summer 2024 Dr. Amy R. Purser, PhD, MSN-Ed, RN CNE June 15th, 2024 Critical Thinking in Nursing: An Essential Skill for Quality Care Critical thinking is a vital skill in nursing since it is essential for ensuring high-quality patient care and making informed decisions; the complexity and dynamic nature of the nursing practice in healthcare demand that nurses continually develop and apply critical thinking skills. The Importance of Critical Thinking in Nursing Critical thinking in nursing involves the ability to assess, analyze, and synthesize information to make well-informed decisions, and encompasses various cognitive processes, including problem-solving, decision-making, and reflective thinking. Every day, …show more content…
Another significant strategy is participating in simulation exercises to practice critical thinking skills, and allow nurses to apply theoretical knowledge, refine their clinical skills, and receive feedback on their performance; this approach fortifies problem-solving abilities for nurses providing satisfaction, boosting confidence while enhancing critical thinking skills and improving learning retention (Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 2022). To further develop critical thinking skills in the future, nurses can get involved in research activities through conducting studies or participating in research projects, to sharpen analytical and critical thinking skills. Nurses can also embrace technological advancements that support critical thinking in nursing, such as clinical decision support systems that provide valuable data and resources in clinical decision-making and integrate evidence-based practice into daily nursing activities with decisions grounded in the best available research. Nurses should develop skills in appraising and applying research