title: Using critical learning incidents in nurse education.
abstract: This paper describes an attempt to provide a learning environment conducive to the development of conceptual skills in critical exploration and problem solving. This is achieved by using a method of reflecting on and about critical incidents encountered by student nurses during their nursing practice. It is argued that students need help in making links between theory and practice and the article relates how this may be achieved in workshops using mainly experiential techniques. The authors conclude that the use of such a strategy can make a valuable contribution to nurse education, enabling students to look at situations from multiple perspectives and heightening awareness of the complex skills involved in nursing.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Russell
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000379:methods*; D011340:Problem Solving; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*