Congratulations On Reaching The End Of The Course Now It Is

Congratulations On Reaching The End Of The Course Now It Is Time To R

Congratulations on reaching the end of the course! Now it is time to reflect upon what you have learned. This course has introduced various topics regarding critical thinking. Reflect upon the concepts introduced in this course for your initial post. After creating your initial post, respond to at least two of your peers substantively.

Comments like "I agree" or "Good point" are not accepted as required responses.

Discussion Prompts: Answer the following questions in your initial post:

• What was the most personally useful or favorite thing you learned in this course? (how I discovered myself)
• What topic(s) are you still struggling with? Or, what topic did you initially struggle with, and how did you master the concept? (Therapeutical questions)
• What have you learned in this course that will help you continue to grow as a future nurse? (self-confidence)

In your response to others, provide tips and pointers for topics you feel proficient in that they identified as struggling to learn.

Paper For Above instruction

Embarking on the journey through a course in critical thinking has been transformative, especially for those aspiring to enter the nursing profession. Reflecting on the key lessons learned enables students to recognize personal growth areas and reinforce vital skills necessary for their future careers. The most personally useful aspect of this course was discovering how critical thinking can be applied to real-life situations, which enhances decision-making and problem-solving capabilities essential for nursing practice. By understanding how to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information critically, students develop a more profound self-awareness about their thought processes and biases, fostering continuous self-discovery and professional development.

Initially, some students may struggle with certain concepts, such as identifying logical fallacies or applying reflective thinking effectively. For many, mastering these topics requires deliberate practice and guided reflection. For example, students often find differentiating between opinion and fact challenging at first. Over time, through engaging in case studies and peer discussions, they learn to scrutinize information critically, question assumptions, and avoid cognitive biases. These strategies promote mastery, turning initial confusion into confidence and competence, which is vital in clinical settings where quick, accurate judgments are necessary.

Moreover, this course emphasizes the importance of therapeutic questioning—a foundational skill for future nurses. Therapeutic questions help explore patients' feelings, concerns, and perceptions, fostering empathetic communication. Students learn to formulate open-ended questions that encourage sharing, enabling a deeper understanding of patient needs. Applying these questioning techniques improves patient outcomes and enhances therapeutic relationships. As students develop their critical thinking skills, they recognize that deliberate, mindful questioning is also a tool for self-assessment, leading to continuous personal and professional growth.

From a broader perspective, the course has highlighted how critical thinking intersects with professional nursing standards and ethics. Recognizing biases and assumptions in oneself and others promotes ethical decision-making and fosters a patient-centered approach. Reflecting on personal experiences during the course reveals how self-awareness enhances self-confidence—an essential trait for effective nursing practice. Confidence is built through practice, reflection, and embracing complex situations as opportunities for learning rather than failures. This foundation prepares students for the unpredictable nature of healthcare environments, where adaptability and clear judgment are critical.

Future nurses equipped with robust critical thinking skills will be better prepared to handle complex clinical scenarios, advocate for patient safety, and engage in lifelong learning. The skills developed in this course serve as a strong foundation for future professional growth, emphasizing the importance of continuous reflection, questioning, and self-awareness. Ultimately, critical thinking is an indispensable component in the journey toward becoming an effective, compassionate, and confident nurse.

References

• Facione, P. A. (2015). Critical thinking: What it is and why it counts. Insight Assessment.
• Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2014). The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools. Foundation for Critical Thinking.
• Benner, P., Tanner, C., & Chelsa, B. (2010). Expertise in Nursing Practice: Caring, Clinical Judgment & Ethical Practice. Springer Publishing.
• Schön, D. A. (1983). The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think in Action. Basic Books.
• Levett-Jones, T., & Lathlean, J. (2015). Clinical judgment and decision-making in nursing practice: An integrative review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 24(19-20), 2538-2552.
• Benner, P., Hooper-Kyriakidis, P., & Stannard, D. (2010). Clinical Wisdom and Interprofessional Practice in the Health Sciences. Jossey-Bass.
• Ironside, P. M., & Chiliban, G. (2016). Critical thinking in nursing: A cross-country comparison of students' perceptions. Journal of Nursing Education, 55(3), 157-162.
• Halstead, J. A., & Coughlan, J. (2017). Developing nursing students' critical thinking skills. Nurse Education Today, 55, 113-118.
• Royal College of Nursing. (2017). Developing critical thinking skills in nursing students. RCN Publishing.
• Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2012). Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge of Your Learning and Your Life. Pearson.