Chamberlain College of Nursing - NR 447 RN Exam 1 Study Guide

Chamberlain College of Nursing - NR 447 RN Exam 1 Study Guide-Chapter 1: Decision Making, Problem Solving, and Critical Thinking: Requisites for Successful Leadership and Management • Decision making: complex, cognitive process of choosing a particular course of action; the thought process of selecting a logical choice from available options • Problem Solving: part of decision making; systematic process focusing on analyzing a difficult situation involving higher-order reasoning and evaluation • Critical Thinking: the mental process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information to reach an answer or conclusion • Clinical Reasoning: integrating and applying different types of knowledge to weigh evidence, critically think about arguments, and reflect upon the process used to arrive at diagnosis • Characteristics of a Critical Thinker Open to new ideas Flexible Creative Intuitive Empathetic Insightful Energetic Caring Willing to take action Analytic Observant Outcome directed Persistent Risk taker Willing to change Assertive Resourceful Knowledgeable Communicator Out-of-the-box thinker Circular thinking • Vicarious Learning to Increase Problem-Solving & Decision Making Skills o Case studies: provide stories that impart learning o Simulations: provide opportunities for learning with no risk to patients or organizational performance o Problem-based learning (PBL): provides opportunities for learners to address and learn from authentic problems vicariously • Theoretical Approaches to Problem Solving & Decision Making o Heuristics: allows them to solve problems more quickly and to build upon experiences they have gained in their lives; uses trial-and-error methods or a rule-of-thumb approach to problem solving, rather than set rules Traditional Problem-Solving Process Managerial Decision-Making Model Identify the problem Determine the decision & desired outcomes Gather data to identify the causes & consequences of the problem Research & identify the options Explore alternative solutions Compare & contrast these options & their consequences Evaluate each alternative Make a decision Select an appropriate solution Implement an action Implement the solution Evaluate the results Evaluate results • Strategies for the New Nurse to Promote Evidence-Based Best Practice o Keep abreast of the evidence o Use multiple sources of evidence o Use evidence to support clinical interventions and teaching strategies o Find established sources of evidence o Implement and evaluate nationally sanctioned clinical practice guidelines