1. Critical thinking is important in nursing because it helps nurses to better assess patients and identify potential health concerns.
Nurses must be able to assess a patient’s condition, including their symptoms and physical exam findings, in order to determine how best to treat them. Critical thinking allows nurses to make sense of these assessments, identify potential health concerns, and take action accordingly.
2. Critical thinking allows nurses to better understand how to treat patients and what treatments may be most effective.
Critical thinking helps nurses understand how different treatments will affect their patients’ conditions. It also helps them understand how the treatment plan will impact their patients’ overall quality of life—and whether or not it’s worth pursuing at all.
3. Critical thinking helps nurses to better communicate with patients and their families, and understand their needs and concerns.
Critical thinking allows nurses to communicate effectively with patients and their families about their condition, treatment plan, prognosis, etc., so that everyone understands what is happening with their care—and why decisions are being made along the way. This communication also improves the relationship between nurse and patient/family member; they feel more supported by those who are caring for them when they know what’s going on with their situation.
