[Critical thinking skills in the nursing diagnosis process]

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Cognitive Psychology

Context:

• The nursing diagnosis process is a core component of clinical reasoning.
• Identifying the specific critical thinking skills employed is crucial for effective nursing practice and education.

Purpose:

• To identify and describe the critical thinking skills utilized by nursing students during the nursing diagnosis process.
• To explore the relationship between the nursing diagnosis process and the development of critical thinking.

Summary:

• An exploratory descriptive study involving seven nursing students analyzed critical thinking skills during a clinical case study.
• Content analysis revealed that analysis, scientific/technical knowledge, and logical reasoning were key skills for priority nursing diagnoses.
• Clinical experience, patient knowledge, and standards application were also identified, alongside discernment and contextual perspective.

Impact:

• Findings highlight the integral role of critical thinking in the nursing diagnosis process.
• The nursing diagnosis process can serve as a pedagogical strategy to cultivate critical thinking skills in nursing students.
• Informs curriculum development to better integrate and foster critical thinking in nursing education.