Factors associated with critical thinking among nurses

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Professional Development
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Critical thinking is vital for competent nursing in complex healthcare environments.
• Previous research suggests a link between critical thinking and professional factors.
• Understanding these links can inform nursing education and practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the critical thinking ability of a sample of nurses.
• To explore the relationship between critical thinking and demographic/professional variables (age, education, experience, expertise).

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional exploratory survey utilizing secondary data (Gendrop, 1989).
• Convenience sample of 160 nurses from two urban hospitals.
• Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Tool (WGCTA) used for assessment.

Main Results:

• Age and years of nursing experience showed a negative correlation with critical thinking ability.
• Level of education demonstrated a positive relationship with critical thinking ability.
• Area of expertise in nursing was also explored as a potential factor.

Conclusions:

• Nursing education should emphasize critical thinking development.
• Implications for clinical practice suggest considering experience and education levels.
• Further research is needed to fully understand factors influencing nurse critical thinking.