Critical thinking: prevailing practice in baccalaureate schools of nursing

This study describes the prevailing practice of NLN-accredited baccalaureate nursing programs with respect to the NLN-required outcome criterion of critical thinking. Currently accredited 4-year baccalaureate nursing programs scheduled for an accreditation site visit in the 1992 to 1993 and 1993 to 1994 academic years were invited to participate by providing a copy of the self-study report pages relevant to NLN Required Outcome Criterion 1: Critical Thinking. Of the 124 programs in the population, 55 used the newly approved accreditation criteria and provided the requested materials. This article describes the prevailing practices regarding the definition and evaluation/measurement of critical thinking.