Part A
Critical thinking is often defined as, “thinking about your thinking!”
Box 11.4 on page 243 in your text lists 15 characteristics of critical thinkers. Decide which characteristics you have, which are in progress and which are absent.
Discuss your finding of the self assessment on page 256. How will you plan to work on characteristics that you do not have?
Discussion: Critical Thinking Characteristics & Self-Assessment Findings
Please rewrite this without any AI and plagiarism. I ordered the book but did not get it yet. Please make this at least 300 words.
After reviewing Box 11.4 on page 243 in Black (2024), Professional Nursing: Concepts and Challenges, I reflected on the 15 characteristics of critical thinkers and evaluated which I already demonstrate, which are developing, and which I need to improve.
Characteristics I Already Possess
I believe I consistently demonstrate several of the listed characteristics, including:
· Curiosity: I naturally want to understand the “why” behind procedures, patient responses, and nursing decisions.
· Intellectual humility: I am comfortable admitting when I don’t know something and asking for clarification.
· Intellectual perseverance: When something is difficult—like learning a new skill or studying a complex concept—I continue working through it.
These traits help me approach nursing situations with an open mind and a willingness to grow.
Characteristics That Are In Progress
I identified several characteristics that I am still strengthening:
· Critical reflection: I am learning to analyze my decisions and experiences more deeply, but I do not always take the time to reflect.
· Intellectual courage: I sometimes hesitate to speak up when I notice a discrepancy or have a concern.
· Confidence in reasoning: I am still developing trust in my own judgment, especially in clinical situations.
These areas are improving with experience, but I recognize that I still need deliberate practice.
Characteristics That Are Lacking or Need Significant Improvement
There are a few characteristics that I identified as limited or not consistently present:
· Fair-mindedness: I try to be unbiased, but I can occasionally allow personal assumptions or emotions to influence my thinking.
· Independence of thought: At times I rely too heavily on others’ guidance instead of forming my own conclusions.
· Disciplined thinking: Without structure, I can become disorganized or lose focus when solving problems.
Recognizing these gaps gives me a clearer direction for improvement.
Self-Assessment Findings (Page 256)
My results on the self-assessment confirmed many of these observations. The assessment showed that I am strong in areas such as curiosity and open-mindedness but need improvement with confidence, organization, and assertiveness.
Overall, the self-assessment felt accurate and highlighted how critical thinking is a skill that requires ongoing development—not something mastered instantly.
Plan to Improve the Characteristics I Lack
To build the characteristics that are developing or absent, I plan to:
1. Practice Regular Reflection
· Use journaling after clinical experiences.
· Ask myself structured questions such as, “What did I notice? What did I learn? What could I improve?”
2. Build Confidence Through Preparation
· Study more consistently instead of cramming.
· Use case studies to practice clinical decision-making.
· Seek feedback from instructors or preceptors.
3. Strengthen Fair-Mindedness
· Challenge my assumptions before making judgments.
· Ask others for perspectives different from my own.
· Practice active listening.
4. Develop Independence of Thought
· Form my own interpretation before asking others for input.
· Use evidence-based practice as a foundation for making decisions.
5. Improve Discipline and Focus
· Create structured study schedules.
· Break down complex problems into smaller, organized steps.
· Reduce distractions during critical tasks.
Conclusion
Understanding my strengths and limitations as a critical thinker is essential for my growth as a future nurse. By intentionally working on the weaker characteristics and continuing to strengthen the ones I already possess, I can improve my clinical judgment and provide safer, more effective patient care.