title: Combining the arts: an applied critical thinking approach in the skills laboratory.
abstract: The quality of care that nurses provide to patients is strongly influenced by the nurses' ability to think critically and to solve problems. In response to the dynamic changes in healthcare and rapid technological advancements, nursing educators must prepare nursing students to meet the challenges. Baccalaureate nursing students must be taught to utilize critical thinking skills for problem solving during the application of the nursing process. Nursing students who use critical thinking skills will provide high quality and efficient patient care in the acute care and community settings. During the simulated laboratory experience, incorporating creative teaching strategies to promote critical thinking and enhance problem-solving skills can enable nursing graduates to enter the workforce feeling confident and competent.
authors.affiliation: Southern University School of Nursing, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Bechtel
mesh_terms: D004506:Education, Nursing; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D009736:Nursing Process / Q000592:standards*; D011340:Problem Solving; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D013850:Thinking