How Critical Thinking Helped Me Saved My Patient: 5 Reasons Why You Need To Master this Vital Skill
I was a first year nursing student and I was placed in one of the busiest hospital in the city for my first medical surgical rotation. My clinical instructor was strict. I remember she would roam the hallway with her pen and notebook in hand and if she spots you, you better be ready to answer some pathophysiology questions about your patient or else be ready for her to be breathing on your neck for the full 12 hour shift. .
It was bright and early as I started my shift as usual, I quickly checked all my patients, and using critical thinking I evaluated their needs and determined priorities.
That day, I decided I needed to prioritize my patient with a chest tube and proceeded to his room to perform my nursing assessment. He seemed like he was in great condition, he was smiling and even making jokes while answering all my questions. His wife was also in the room and we were making small talks about random things. At that time, I was thinking in my head “Yay! I have a great and easy patient!”
I was in the middle of doing his lung assessment when I observed that his lung sounds on the lower lobe were diminished and almost absent. Using critical thinking, I had to plan out my nursing interventions. After reassessing vitals and conducting further examinations, I realized the seriousness of the situation and promptly informed the primary nurse. After that, things escalated pretty quick. With the use of critical thinking, my nursing action led to swift involvement from the medical team, resulting in an emergency chest tube procedure for my patient who had developed atelectasis overnight. They quickly took the patient down for surgery and his wife was calling his daughter on the phone in panic.
Our ability to think critically in challenging situations can often mean the difference between life and death of our patients. For every medication we dispense, every doctor’s order we process, which patient we see first, what kind of focused assessment we do and how we talk to our patient when they say “no” to an intervention- the decisions you make as a nurse greatly impacts every patients’ healing journey. As you embark on your educational journey as a nursing student, mastering critical thinking skills becomes essential.
Here are other reasons why Critical Thinking is vital to your nursing journey.
Unlocking the Potential of Critical Thinking:
First, let’s discuss what is Critical Thinking.
Critical thinking is not just about problem-solving; it's a mindset—an approach to thinking that involves a nurse analyzing information, evaluating evidence, and making reasoned decisions. In the context of patient care, this means a nurse being able to assess a situation, identify potential issues, and determining what is the most effective course of action to ensure optimal outcomes for your patients and prevent further harm.
Why It Matters for Nursing Students:
Enhanced Clinical Judgment:
Being a nurse, having the skills of critical thinking will help enable you to develop keen clinical judgment—the ability to assess a patient's condition, anticipate any potential complications, and intervene quickly. By honing your critical thinking skills, you can confidently navigate complex clinical scenarios when taking care of your patients with different illnesses.
Effective Problem-Solving:
In healthcare, unexpected challenges can arise at any moment. Whether it's a sudden change in your patient's condition or a medication error, as nurses we need to be great problem-solvers. Having critical thinking will help you think on your feet, adapt to changing circumstances, and implement timely and effective solutions and interventions to help your patients.
Patient Safety:
At its core, nursing is about ensuring the safety and well-being of patients. Learning critical thinking, will make you competent in identifying and decreasing risks, preventing errors, and advocating for your patients' best interests. Our commitment to patient safety is fundamental to our nursing profession.
Collaboration and Communication:
Nursing is collaborative, it requires effective communication and teamwork. Critical thinking fosters collaboration with other nurses and the interdisciplinary team ( physicians, pharmacists, dietitians, social workers, patient care coordinator, etc.). In encourages us to share information with each other, and engage in problem-solving as an effective health care team.
Lifelong Learning:
The healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, with new technologies, treatments, and evidence-based practices emerging every day. Learning does not stop once we graduate nursing school. To be a competent and effective nurse, we need to continuously learn everyday.
By embracing critical thinking as a foundational skill, as a nursing student you can cultivate a mindset of lifelong learning. As you practice and enhance your critical thinking skills, you become more trained at seeking out new information, evaluating evidence, and applying your knowledge to improve patient outcomes throughout your nursing career!
