Read The Article: Thinking Like A Nurse — A Research- 982667

Read The Article Thinking Like A Nurse A Research Based Model Of Cli

Read the article "Thinking Like a Nurse: A Research-Based Model of Clinical Judgment in Nursing" by Christine Tanner, which is linked below: Link to article In at least three pages, answer the following questions: What do you feel are the greatest influences on clinical judgment? Is it experience, knowledge, or a combination of those things? In your opinion, what part does intuition play in clinical judgment? How do you think you'll be able to develop nursing intuition? Additional sources are not required but if they are used, please cite them in APA format.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The process of clinical judgment is a fundamental aspect of nursing practice, directly impacting patient outcomes and the quality of care delivered. Christine Tanner's research-based model of clinical judgment provides insights into how nurses interpret patient data, make decisions, and act accordingly. This paper explores the primary influences on clinical judgment, the role of experience versus knowledge, the significance of intuition, and strategies for nurturing nursing intuition, grounded in Tanner's model and supported by existing literature.

The Greatest Influences on Clinical Judgment

Clinical judgment in nursing is multifaceted, with influences stemming from various sources. At its core, it amalgamates nurses’ acquired knowledge, hands-on experience, cognitive skills, and intuitive insights. Tanner's model emphasizes the dynamic interplay between these factors, suggesting that effective clinical judgment arises from the integration of foundational knowledge, experiential learning, and perceptual acuity.

Of these influences, experience and knowledge are often considered the most significant. Experience provides nurses with exposure to a broad spectrum of patient scenarios, enabling pattern recognition and quick decision-making in complex situations. Knowledge, on the other hand, offers the theoretical and evidence-based foundation necessary for understanding patient conditions and appropriate interventions. Combining these elements allows nurses to develop a nuanced understanding of clinical situations, enabling more accurate judgments.

Research indicates that seasoned nurses tend to make faster and more accurate clinical decisions due to pattern recognition developed through repeated encounters (Benner, 1984). Conversely, novice nurses rely heavily on explicit knowledge, often requiring more deliberate analytical thinking, which can slow decision-making but is crucial during early learning phases. Hence, both experience and knowledge are essential drivers of sound clinical judgment.

The Role of Experience, Knowledge, and Their Combination

While knowledge forms the basis of clinical decision-making, it alone is insufficient for effective judgment. Knowledge without experience may lead to over-reliance on textbook guidelines, potentially ignoring unique patient nuances. Conversely, experience without a solid knowledge base may result in intuitive judgments that lack scientific grounding.

The integration of experience and knowledge creates a robust framework for clinical judgment. Experienced nurses draw upon stored schemas—mental frameworks built through repeated exposure—that facilitate rapid interpretation of patient cues (Benner, 1984). This amalgamation enables nurses to anticipate potential complications and adapt their interventions promptly.

Moreover, Tanner (2006) highlights that clinical judgment is a recursive process involving noticing, interpreting, responding, and reflecting. This process depends on both knowledge—having the necessary information—and experience—applying that information in real-world contexts. Therefore, a combination of both factors fosters more accurate, timely, and safe patient care.

The Role of Intuition in Clinical Judgment

Intuition often plays a subtle yet powerful role in clinical judgment. It is frequently described as a gut feeling or an automatic, subconscious process that guides decision-making beyond deliberate analytical reasoning. Tanner’s model recognizes intuition as an integral component, especially in complex or high-pressure situations where rapid decisions are needed.

In nursing, intuition may develop from accumulated experiential knowledge, pattern recognition, and heightened perceptual skills. Experienced nurses often report relying on intuition after recognizing subtle cues that are not immediately apparent through standard assessments (Benner, 2001). This implicit knowledge allows timely responses to evolving patient conditions, risking fewer errors and increasing patient safety.

However, the role of intuition remains controversial, as it can be influenced by personal biases or emotional states. Nonetheless, when integrated with analytical reasoning, intuition enhances clinical judgment, especially when nurses have a thorough knowledge base and substantial clinical experience (Dewey, 2008).

Developing Nursing Intuition

Developing nursing intuition is a deliberate process that requires focused effort on gaining varied clinical experiences, continuous learning, and reflective practice. Engaging in diverse clinical roles broadens exposure to different patient populations and clinical scenarios, enriching a nurse's mental schemas and perceptual skills (Benner, 2001).

Reflective practice is particularly vital. By consistently reviewing clinical encounters, nurses can identify patterns in their decision-making, recognize successful strategies, and learn from mistakes. This reflective process reinforces intuitive judgment and facilitates its development into a reliable component of clinical practice.

Mentorship and supervised clinical experiences also play a critical role. Novice nurses benefit from observing experienced clinicians, learning how they interpret cues and develop situational awareness. Over time, these insights contribute to building a personal intuitive style aligned with evidence-based practice.

Furthermore, pursuing ongoing education, participating in case studies, and engaging in interdisciplinary collaboration can expand a nurse's knowledge base, indirectly supporting intuitive decision-making. Ultimately, fostering a mindset of curiosity and reflective thinking creates a fertile environment for intuitive skills to flourish (Benner, 2001).

Conclusion

Clinical judgment is a complex, integrative process influenced predominantly by a combination of experience and knowledge. Experience allows for pattern recognition and rapid decision-making, while knowledge provides the scientific foundation for understanding patient conditions. Intuition, developed through accumulated experience and reflective practice, can enhance clinical judgment, especially in urgent or ambiguous situations. Nurses should actively seek diverse clinical experiences, engage in reflective learning, and pursue lifelong education to nurture and refine their nursing intuition, thereby improving patient care outcomes.

References

• Benner, P. (1984). From novice to expert: Excellence and power in clinical nursing practice. Prentice-Hall.
• Benner, P. (2001). From novice to expert: Pedagogy, mentorship, and clinical skills. Journal of Nursing Education, 40(9), 390-396.
• Dewey, J. (2008). Experience and education. Simon and Schuster.
• Hoffman, L. A. (2008). Recognizing clinical patterns: The foundation of clinical judgment. Journal of Nursing Education, 47(5), 213-219.
• Lavender, S. A. (2013). Intuition in nursing: A concept analysis. Nursing Forum, 48(4), 251-258.
• Makary, M. A., & Daniel, M. (2016). Medical error—the third leading cause of death in the US. BMJ, 353, i2139.
• Paul, D., & Brown, D. (2010). Developing clinical judgment through structured reflection. Nursing Education Perspectives, 31(4), 232-236.
• Reed, P. G. (1999). Developing a theory of nursing judgment. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 30(5), 1064-1071.
• Tanner, C. A. (2006). Thinking like a nurse: A research-based model of clinical judgment in nursing. Journal of Nursing Education, 45(6), 204-211.
• Benner, P. (2001). From novice to expert: Pedagogy, mentorship, and clinical skills. Journal of Nursing Education, 40(9), 390-396.