Abstract
In this paper we explore what is necessary about how to apply the critical thinking approach in the nursing process.
1) Critical thinking places appropriate emphasis on the nursing process and enables the use of intellectual, interpersonal, and technical skills to succeed in nursing.
2) Thinking is conceptualized into five modes which, collectively, represent the broad definition of critical thinking. The five modes, “Total Recall,” “Habits, ” “ Inquiry, ” “ New Ideas and Creativity, ” and “ Knowing How You Think, ” are explored from both a personal and nursing perspective.
3) This paper provides an expanded view and a case study of how thinking skills, content knowledge, and the nursing process are combined.
