title: A descriptive inquiry of the definitions of critical thinking and enhancers and barriers reported by nurses working in long-term care facilities.
abstract: Critical thinking has been an outcome of nursing education since the 1980s. There remains a lack of agreement on definitions, methods of teaching, and methods of evaluation among practicing nurses. This study asked practicing nurses to define critical thinking. It also asked nurses to describe what work-related factors enhanced or posed barriers to the use of critical thinking in practice. Elements of the definitions presented were found to be consistent with current nursing definitions of critical thinking. Enhancers and barriers overlapped and were found to be consistent among the nurses at all facilities studied, with implications for continuing education and staff development.
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado Denver, College of Nursing, Denver, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Ginger
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Raterink
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000458:organization & administration; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009736:Nursing Process / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D015279:Organizational Culture; D036301:Qualitative Research; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013714:Tennessee; D013850:Thinking