Critical Thinking in Nursing Science: A Literature Review

Shin, Su Jin; Jung, Dukyoo

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were as follows; 1) To review the definitions of critical thinking from various perspectives, 2) To examine the critical thinking measurements throughout nursing research, and 3) To review the nursing studies with regard to critical thinking.
METHODS
This study was a literature review with regard to the critical thinking in nursing in aspects of conceptual meaning, measurements, and research.
RESULTS
The definition of critical thinking in nursing included decision making in clinical setting, inference with logical construct to increase nursing quality, interpretation in the context, and evaluation. The critical thinking was a core concept, which meant not only simple nursing process, but included decision making ability. The critical thinking has been conceptualized by both critical thinking disposition and skill. However, there was no nursing specified critical thinking measurement. Critical thinking research has been conducted to describe critical thinking disposition and critical thinking, to determine relationships between critical thinking and clinical competency, and to evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs.
CONCLUSION
The instruments for measuring critical thinking disposition and skill that contain cultural difference and clinical specificity need to be developed to measure critical thinking and increase it.