Critical thinking

Nursing Students Student Assist

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I am an accelerated LPN student half way through the program. I seem to be having trouble critically thinking. I don't know how I am messing up. I am doing very well in my classes but at clinical I have trouble. The first time I have a disease process I always forget things or get something backwards. Then after that I can usually get it pretty well. I don't know what I am doing wrong. Can someone please give me some advice to better critically think? I am considering quitting the LPN program and going into an RN program. I don't know if it may help to go at a little slower pace to learn things. Then perhaps it will stick better and I will be able to see the whole picture. I want to be a good nurse but fear that I will not be if my critically thinking doesn't kick in.

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Honestly, If you are having a hard time in an LPN program, I would NOT attempt an RN program, It will not be any slower than what you are doing now, if anything it will be faster and you will be more confused and dicouraged than ever. I would stick it out in the LPN program you are currently in and seek advice/help from instructors to see were you have gone wrong.

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Prior to attending the LPN program I was in an RN program and was not having the issues I am now. (I decided to go with the LPN bc I wanted something a little faster). Unfortunately, the instructors are not much help. Up until this point they have told us not to worry about critical thinking. Then one day they said no one in the class could critically think. When we ask they tell us they don't know. We just can't critically think.

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WOW!!! Dont worry about critical thinking??? REALLY??? I would be finding a different school.. that is scary....

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Honestly, that is what we were told. We didn't have to worry about it. It wouldn't come until about a year after we graduate. Now, suddenly they are baffled because none of the 36 students can critically think. When we brought it to their attention that perhaps we should have been being taught this all along they were defensive and we are basically stupid. So now here I am wondering if I am even going to be able to function as a nurse. After I dished out the money and spent all this time in this course. The course had raves from ppl in the area (I am new to the area) so imagine my disappointment

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Granted, It takes time to develop critical thinking skills, however isn't school the place to develop these skills rather out in the real world on a pt??? That is really disappointing. That sucks you are going throught this. Sounds like you are really getting a raw deal!!

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Specializes in convalescent hospital.

I can imagine your disappointment I would never tell you to drop out quit or anything like that just keep at it! Dont quit the LPN program especially if you are doing good in class. A lot of critically thinking situations do occur when you are actually on the job. I wonder why they arent teaching you the critical thinking that is strange! I just took a HESI test today and scored low and I am very disappointed because I am ready to move on and I am ready to start the program. I studied and everything I noticed that a handful of vocabulary was on the test that I studied I was confused some what. I was wondering If you had to take a HESI test too? Before you took the program?

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Prior to attending the LPN program I was in an RN program and was not having the issues I am now. (I decided to go with the LPN bc I wanted something a little faster). Unfortunately, the instructors are not much help. Up until this point they have told us not to worry about critical thinking. Then one day they said no one in the class could critically think. When we ask they tell us they don't know. We just can't critically think.

Critical thinking involves being able to use your experience, factual knowlege, and other attributes and effectively apply them to real life situations. There are many levels of critical thinking, your challenge now is to perform at the lowest level, where you apply your limited knowledge and training from school.

When you are told you cannot "think critically" they mean you cannot do so at a very high level. Given a patient's history and data, you may not be able to immediately determine how to prioritize treatments or what to report to a physician. But you should be able to take care of some situations.

For instance, if someone asks you to take a patient's vitals, you should be able to find the equipment, perform the tasks, and document the findings. Not a very high level of critical thinking is involved, but some is.

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