Critical thinking Help!

[sparrow_1]

Does anyone know any web sites where I can learn more On how to do critical thinking? I really suck at it. I really need more practice on being able to do this. So far my first two tests have been more knowledge and fact based. But my teacher said the next one will be more critical thinking and I really need to get a handle on learning how to do this. If anyone knows any way to do this I would really appreciate it. Thank you so much.

[TopazLover, BSN, RN]

You might try posting on student forum. Daytonite usually checks in there and can hlep more than I can. Sorry

[MaryAnn_RN]

Neil Gopee wrote an article on this which I have attached, found another article that might be useful too

demonstrating critical analysis in academic assignments.pdf

[MaryAnn_RN]

Here is the second one. Also, if you go onto the Nursing Standard website you will be able to find articles, they have a good archive and it is at

https://secure.rcnpublishing.co.uk/index.asp?mode=choosejournal&jid=9&Journal=9

They do charge but it isn't much, alternatively you should have access to academic databases and be able to get things that way.

Hope it helps

Mary

[Riseupandnurse]

Read the Kaplan NCLEX book, Chapter 2.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

using the steps of the nursing process is how you train to be proficient in critical thinking. also, the basic strategy for answering critical thinking (application type) questions is as follows, you must:

• know and consider the normal anatomy and physiology
  
• know and consider abnormal anatomy for the disease in question
  
• know and consider the resulting signs and symptoms when the disease occurs and how they proceed from mild to fatal - each sign and symptom can be related back to the pathophysiology of the disease
  
• know and consider how the doctor diagnoses and treats the disease in question
  
• know nursing interventions for the signs and symptoms you are being asked about
  
• know the steps of the nursing process and what goes on in each of the steps and consider how they are affecting the question you are being asked
  
• know and consider the principles behind the actions being done - there are many kinds of principles: principles of nursing, principles of biology, principles of chemistry, principles of physics, etc.
  
• read the stem of the question carefully and answer that because the test makers try to trip you up by distracting you with conflicting information they give you in the answer choices that sounds good but has no relationship to what the question is asking for
  
• ask yourself "why" a patient is experiencing some sign or symptoms to get at the underlying problem. nursing like other disciplines treats the problem/signs and symptoms.

you should review the information and links in this thread as well:

• https://allnurses.com/forums/f50/looking-test-taking-stratagies-224581.html - looking for test taking strategies (on the nursing student discussion forum)