Critical thinking. A framework for problem solving in the occupational setting

1. Critical thinking is essential in providing quality nursing care. Understanding the process of critical thinking increases the nurse's efficiency in the skill of problem solving. 2. To employ the critical thinking process, the nurse must analyze and criticize a problematic or change situation, reason, make inferences, and reach conclusions. 3. The result of critical thinking is attaining goals, solving problems, and making decisions. 4. Critical thinking is a process and not an outcome.