Enhancing
Critical Thinking in Undergraduate Nursing Students
Researcher Cathy
Coram, RNC, MSN(c) 2005
cathycoram@colostate-pueblo.edu
School Colorado State University-Pueblo. CSU-Pueblo offers a flexible graduate
nursing program for the RN with a current licensure, a bachelor’s degree
in any field, and the desire to further education. Courses are offered in
the hybrid format which includes on-line work and on-campus
meetings. Specialty
tracks include the nurse educator, clinical nurse specialist, and nurse
practitioner.
For student information go to: http://www.colostate-pueblo.edu/
.Why I Chose This Topic I believe that critical
thinking is the foundation of all nursing practice. As nurse educators, we must provide a strong base and encourage
students to continue to build upon this foundation as they continue on their
journey from novice graduate to expert nurses.
Abstract Critical
thinking has been established as one of the key elements in developing
excellent nurses and providing for patient safety. Improvement of critical
thinking skills is essential to ensure patient safety as well as provide for
the success of each professional nurse. The purpose of this study was to
enhance critical thinking skills of undergraduate nursing students while in a
clinical setting. This will be accomplished by utilizing Rosalinda
Alfaro-LeFevre’s methods of developing critical thinking skills outlined in
“Critical Thinking and Clinical Judgment, A Practical Approach”. The
experimental group will be encouraged, mentored and instructed on the ‘how to’
of critical thinking techniques. The
control group will not be given the additional tools. Comparison of the two groups at the beginning of the clinical
rotation and again at the completion will allow data to be compiled for ANOVA
statistical analysis. The data will be collected by the use of self and peer
evaluations of Critical Thinking Indicators at the beginning and end of the
clinical rotation. This study will be both qualitative and quantitative in
nature. While the scope of this study is limited to senior level students in
one program, it provides a framework within which further evaluation of
critical thinking assessment can be accomplished.
Comment The
tools used in this study to promote critical thinking include: 1) The
Evidenced-based Critical Thinking Indicators, 2) 4-Circle CT Model, and 3)
Clinical Cards (Faculty handout #2 at www.AlfaroTeachSmart.com
). The textbook, Critical Thinking
and Clinical Judgment: A Practical Approach, 3rd Ed (2004) serves as a
major reference.