Registered nurses' clinical reasoning abilities: a study of self perception

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Clinical Reasoning
• Healthcare Professional Development

Background:

• Effective clinical reasoning is a cornerstone of proficient nursing practice.
• Understanding nurses' self-perceptions of clinical reasoning is crucial for targeted educational interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore registered nurses' perceptions of their clinical reasoning abilities.
• To identify specific aspects of clinical decision-making where perceptions align or diverge from established literature.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study utilizing the Jenkins' Clinical Decision Making in Nursing Scale (CDMNS).
• Inclusion of 520 post-registration nursing students in a Bachelor of Nursing program (1993-1996).
• Analysis of total scores and subscale scores (A-D) to assess different facets of clinical reasoning perception.

Main Results:

• Students entered the program with generally positive self-perceptions of clinical decision-making.
• Moderately positive perceptions were reported for searching alternatives, canvassing objectives, and evaluating consequences.
• Highly positive perceptions were noted specifically for the ability to assimilate new information.

Conclusions:

• A notable dissonance exists between nurses' perceived clinical reasoning capabilities and their actual abilities as described in literature and observed in practice.
• The findings suggest a need for educational strategies that address potential overestimations in certain clinical reasoning domains.
• Further research is warranted to explore the factors contributing to this perceptual gap and its impact on patient care outcomes.