Helping novice nurses make effective clinical decisions: the situated clinical decision-making framework

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Clinical Practice
• Decision-Making Theory

Background:

• Novice nurses' clinical decision-making is often linear, task-focused, and limited by experience.
• Complex patient care demands skilled decision-making from novice nurses, often with limited support.
• Theoretical progression suggests experienced nurses integrate experience and context into decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Situated Clinical Decision-Making Framework for educators and novice nurses.
• To provide a tool supporting novice nurses' clinical decision-making development.
• To enhance nursing education through improved decision-making skills.

Main Methods:

• Overview of the Situated Clinical Decision-Making Framework's theoretical foundations.
• Presentation of a schematic representation of the framework's components.
• Illustration of framework application using a case exemplar.

Main Results:

• The framework assists novice nurses in making decisions.
• It facilitates retrospective reflection on decision-making processes and outcomes.
• It fosters knowledge, skill, and confidence development in novice nurses.

Conclusions:

• The Situated Clinical Decision-Making Framework supports novice nurses' transition in decision-making.
• The framework aids in understanding the nature of nursing decision-making.
• It offers a valuable tool for nursing education and future research.