Critical thinking in the nursing curriculum.

Abstract

In increasing the emphasis on critical thinking in the nursing curriculum, there is concern that it will become another unit of content competing with other units that must be included somewhere in the curriculum. Critical thinking is much more than this. It is a combination of an attitude of inquiry, supported by a knowledge base and enhanced by skill in application. Critical thinking is an approach to inquiry where both students and faculty examine clinical and professional issues and search for more effective answers. Unfortunately, there is no simple, magic "how to" formula to guide faculty in developing these skills among nursing students.