NET 2018 Conference: Critical thinking: A perpetual paradox

Research paper

Critical thinking is considered essential for nurses to determine what knowledge to use what care to provide and the best way to deliver this care. Yet what the term means is not clearly articulated. Critical thinking is predominantly a cognitive problem-solving approach and nurses are discursively positioned to comply with rules and regulations to guide their thinking and practice. However critical thinking also necessitates a philosophical position. This is shown to be challenging and compromising. Recommendations include formal education about critical thinking professional supervision and increasing support for nurse educators nurses in practice and students of Nursing.