2023 Topic 2 DQ 1 Critical thinking and Evidence based practice are both very important parts of being a nurse Critical

  Topic 2 DQ 1

Critical thinking and Evidence-based practice are both very important parts of being a nurse. Critical thinking as explained by The Foundation for Critical Thinking is a skill that everyone has but varies at different levels. (Defining Critical Thinking, 2019). The article also goes on to say that critical thinking is a type of thinking in which a person takes what they have learned and with the skill of being able to think critically improves the information learned. (Defining Critical Thinking, 2019). Critical thinking skill is a big part of moving on in education for a BSN, MSN or even a DNP.

Evidence based Practice is the root to all of Nursing. We use it to ensure the patient care we are providing is up to date and most effective for that patient. Evidence based practice isn’t just research. Research is taking a theory and testing it with the scientific method where as Evidence based practice is applying the research and individualizing it to the patient, and taking into account the knowledge of the health care team working with the patient. (Wilson, Tallie Casucci, & Barbara Wilson, 2019)

Critical thinking in healthcare is a very valuable part of healthcare because we use it to create specific patient outcomes. We also need to be able to look at labs, tests, vitals, beliefs and preferences, and overall wellbeing of our patient and apply what we have learned to determine our nursing diagnosis. We also need to communicate with the health care team to take care of the patient effectively. Evidence based practice helps us to create our nursing care plans that are individualized to each patient and their diagnosis. We need to think critically when we are producing care plans for each patient so that we are forming appropriate goals and outcomes as well as nursing interventions.