title: Critical thinking skills of baccalaureate nursing students.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine if a student will score higher on a critical thinking appraisal test on completion of a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program than on entry into the program. Students currently enrolled in a BSN program were given the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Test in the first month of the program and repeated the test 1 month before graduation. BSN and BSN/registered nurse (RN) students were included in the study. Data analysis indicated there were no significant differences found in all of the classes of BSN/RN graduates and two of the classes of BSN graduates. There was a significant difference in the scores in one of the classes of BSN graduates. Implications for future research suggest additional comparative studies as well as using a different instrument along with expansion of the study to include master's students and nursing faculty.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio 78284-7944, USA.
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Saucier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004507:Education, Nursing, Associate / Q000592:standards; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000592:standards*; D004510:Education, Nursing, Diploma Programs / Q000592:standards; D004518:Education, Professional, Retraining / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D011340:Problem Solving; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D013850:Thinking