Discussion Replies
Discussion Replies
Hello, Jennifer
It is apparent that emotions such as anxiety and other aspects that provoke an intense feeling have the potential of affecting critical thinking. I agree with your argument that both internal and external factors affect one’s ability to think critically. This means one’s ability to cope or manage situations that incite emotions define his or her degree of making critical decisions (Lipe & Beasley, 2004). As evident in the reflection of your experience when working as a trauma nurse, anxiety and lack of confidence disrupts one’s critical thinking skills. This means that nurses should be aware and warned of the effects of emotions in relation to critical thinking and work towards overcoming them to improve their ability of making critical decisions.
Lipe, S. K., & Beasley, S. (2004). Critical thinking in nursing: A cognitive skills workbook. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
I support your observation that the nursing practice is faced by numerous challenges that demand nurses to embrace a critical and innovative mind. It is only through having excellent critical thinking skills that nurses can appropriately address the frequent dilemmas that characterize their activities (Bradshaw & Lowenstein, 2011). As you have witnessed throughout your working experience, nurse’s critical thinking skills can be affected adversely by aspects such as work environment, anxiety, lack of confidence and culture. In this respect, I advise you to always account for the effect of these factors when making critical decisions to ensure that you are making unbiased and independent verdicts.
Bradshaw, M. J., & Lowenstein, A. J. (2011). Innovative teaching strategies in nursing and related health professions. Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Hello, Kali
I concur with your position that nurses’ challenging working environment demands them to be equipped with the issues that have the potential of affecting their decision making processes (White, Duncan, & Baumle, 2013). Considering that extreme feelings affect one’s cognitive abilities, being skilled on how to manage situations that provoke such feeling is the only practical way of improving one’s critical thinking skills.
White, L., Duncan, G., & Baumle, W. (2013). Medical-surgical nursing: An integrated approach. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning.
