| Learning Objective #1: Find a new perspective to critical thinking and the prerequisites and limitations of thinking in nursing | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Discuss the opportunities to operationalize critical thinking in nursing in a new way |
Objective: The aim of this research, was to characterise the semantic basis of thinking and thinking required in nursing.
Design: The research problems were: What is critical thinking in nursing? What are the prerequisites, limitations and promoting aspects of critical thinking in nursing?
Sample: The enquiry was based on critically chosen literature.
Concepts studied together: Because, the concept of thinking is close to reflection, problem solving, decision-making, creative thinking and scientific thinking, these concepts were analysed to reveal the relations between each other and with the concept of critical thinking.
Methods: This is a theoretical, philosophical research using the critical method. Furthermore concept analysis was used during the process.
Findings: The concepts of rationality, logic, reason assessment, critical disposition and a possibility for change were found as the necessary conditions for critical thinking. Rationality is close to the concept of critical thinking. As a strongest tool for critic, logic is the heart for rationality and critical thinking. Reason assessment is the process during which rationality and logic in mainly used in nursing. But, rationality and logic are not enough to make thinking critical in nursing, also a doubting disposition is needed. Also a conceptual map about the relations between the concepts nearby was created The limits for critical thinking in nursing raise from the traditions, nursing culture and the level of nurses' thinking skills.
Conclusions: The concept of critical thinking is close to several other concepts, but they are not synonyms. Critical thinking in nursing require skills and courage to use one's own rationality to look behind self-evident truths and to query.
Implications: The results serve further research about nurses' thinking skills. It enables to create a thinking skills specific measurement tool for nurses. The results also help nurses to realise the limitations for using thinking skills in nursing.
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