An exploration of an innovative methodological approach for examining nurses' heuristic use in clinical practice

What heuristics (reasoning strategies) do experienced critical care nurses use to assist in reasoning and making decisions about patient care? In this study, think aloud data were collected and protocol analysis was utilized to identify and describe the heuristics that permitted nurses to evaluate patient data, assess patient status, and make decisions necessary to maintain patient stability. Five heuristics were identified: pattern recognition, attending, anchoring, focused questioning, and listing. Clearer understanding of nurses' heuristic use could improve reasoning in practice, and could also provide educators with strategies to enhance the reasoning of their students.