Clinical reasoning in nursing students: A concept analysis

The aim of this analysis is to clarify the concept of clinical reasoning in nursing students.

Sound clinical reasoning is the most important skill required in professional nursing and understanding of this concept is emphasized as a basis for clinical reasoning development in nursing education curricula.

Rodgers' concept analysis method was used to achieve a clear and understandable definition.

Resources published from 2000 to 2020 were identified via electronic databases.

A review of the literature was completed, and the data were analyzed to identify the Surrogate and related terms, attributes, antecedents and consequences of the concept.

This concept is a holistic and recursive cognitive process that has a dynamic and flexible nature to perceive the patient's condition, select the best practice to respond to the situation, and learn from the situation. Clinical reasoning in nursing students emerges despite professional standards; discipline-specific knowledge, cognitive perception, critical thinking, learning experiences, and intuitive ability, and the requirements of the professional system affect its establishment in the nursing discipline. Clinical reasoning is the cognitive process underlying clinical judgment, appropriate decision making, improvement of nursing quality, metacognitive awareness, and professional competence in nursing, whose achievement, generally, paves the way for nursing professionalization and development that are important steps toward independence in the nursing profession.

The present concept analysis clarifies the concept of clinical reasoning as a complex thinking process that should be considered as a fundamental thinking skill in nursing program.