title: Critical thinking: what does it mean in the care of elderly hospitalized patients?
abstract: In today's complex healthcare environment, it is more important than ever that nurses possess critical thinking skills to provide optimal care for their patients. This article offers a definition of critical thinking for nurses and describes the importance of critical thinking in the care of our growing elderly patient population. Examples related to geriatric nursing care, including acute care, dementia care, and end-of-life care, are provided to reinforce the importance of critical thinking and its benefits to our elderly patient population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Education & Professional Development, Pennsylvania State University Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey 17033, USA. sheffner@psu.edu
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heffner
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rudy
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease / Q000451:nursing; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000451:nursing; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D016294:Models, Nursing; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009736:Nursing Process / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D013850:Thinking