Nurses use critical thinking skills to analyze data to make important decisions. Think about the competencies you selected to develop in Wk 1. How would improving these professional competencies impact critical thinking and clinical decision-making?Using the 2 competencies and the 2 essentials from the Wk 1 worksheet, a 12- to 15-slide presentation with detailed speaker notes. an overview of the QSEN Competencies and the AACN Baccalaureate Essentials. Do the following: at least 2 scholarly resources from the University of Phoenix Library. your sources according to APA guidelines.
Title: The Impact of Developing Professional Competencies on Critical Thinking and Clinical Decision-Making in Nursing
Introduction:
Critical thinking and clinical decision-making are crucial skills for nurses to possess in order to provide safe and effective patient care. In this presentation, we will examine how developing specific professional competencies can enhance these skills. We will focus on two selected competencies and two essentials from the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) Competencies and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Baccalaureate Essentials.
Competency 1: Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
The first competency we will explore is evidence-based practice (EBP). EBP involves integrating clinical expertise, patient values and preferences, and the best available research evidence to guide nursing practice. By improving this competency, nurses can enhance critical thinking and clinical decision-making in the following ways:
1.1: Information Gathering and Analysis: Developing the competency of EBP requires nurses to gather and analyze relevant data from various sources, such as research articles, clinical guidelines, and patient assessments. This process involves critically evaluating the quality and applicability of the evidence, which enhances critical thinking skills.
1.2: Clinical Decision-Making: By incorporating the best available evidence into their decision-making process, nurses can make more informed and effective clinical decisions. This improves the accuracy and precision of clinical judgments, maximizing patient outcomes.
1.3: Ethical Considerations: EBP also emphasizes the inclusion of patient values and preferences in decision-making. Considering ethical implications enhances critical thinking by weighing the potential benefits and harms of interventions, respecting patient autonomy, and promoting shared decision-making.
Competency 2: Quality Improvement (QI)
Next, we will discuss the competency of quality improvement (QI). QI focuses on continuous improvement of healthcare systems and processes to enhance patient outcomes. Developing this competency can impact critical thinking and clinical decision-making in the following ways:
2.1: Systems Thinking: QI requires nurses to understand the interdependencies and interactions within healthcare systems. By considering the broader context, nurses can critically analyze how system factors, such as policies, procedures, and resources, influence clinical decision-making and patient outcomes.
2.2: Problem-Solving: QI involves identifying problems or areas for improvement in healthcare delivery and developing strategies to address them. This process requires critical thinking skills, as nurses must analyze data, identify root causes, and implement evidence-based interventions to optimize patient care.
2.3: Patient Safety: QI is closely linked to patient safety, as it aims to minimize errors, adverse events, and harm. By actively participating in QI initiatives, nurses engage in critical thinking to identify potential risks, assess patient safety measures, and implement strategies to prevent errors, promoting a culture of safety.
Essential 1: Patient-Centered Care
One of the AACN Baccalaureate Essentials we will examine is patient-centered care. Patient-centered care emphasizes the individuality of each patient and their active involvement in decision-making. Developing this essential can impact critical thinking and clinical decision-making as follows:
1.1: Communication: Patient-centered care requires effective communication skills to establish a therapeutic relationship with patients. Through active listening and effective communication, nurses can gather comprehensive patient information that informs critical thinking and clinical decision-making.
1.2: Shared Decision-Making: By involving patients in the decision-making process, nurses can gain insight into their values, preferences, and goals. This collaborative approach enhances critical thinking by considering the unique needs and desires of each patient when making clinical decisions.
Essential 2: Interprofessional Collaboration
Lastly, we will discuss interprofessional collaboration, another essential from the AACN Baccalaureate Essentials. Interprofessional collaboration emphasizes the importance of teamwork and effective communication among healthcare professionals. Developing this essential can impact critical thinking and clinical decision-making as follows:
2.1: Analyzing Multiple Perspectives: Collaborating with other healthcare professionals provides nurses with diverse perspectives and expertise. By critically analyzing different viewpoints, nurses can broaden their understanding of complex patient situations and make more informed clinical decisions.
2.2: Shared Decision-Making: Interprofessional collaboration encourages shared decision-making, where multiple healthcare professionals work together to develop comprehensive care plans. By leveraging the expertise of various team members, nurses can enhance their critical thinking skills and make more holistic and evidence-based clinical decisions.
Conclusion:
Developing professional competencies, such as evidence-based practice and quality improvement, along with AACN Baccalaureate Essentials like patient-centered care and interprofessional collaboration, can significantly impact critical thinking and clinical decision-making in nursing. These skills empower nurses to integrate the best available evidence, consider ethical and patient preferences, analyze complex healthcare systems, and collaborate effectively with other professionals. By continually improving these competencies, nurses can provide safe, high-quality care and optimize patient outcomes.