Critical Thinking in Nursing

Art and nursing are two distinctly different concepts that are used differently in the world. When I chose this course as part of my requirement for my nursing degrees, I asked myself, “What does art have to do with nursing? How will art help me take care of a patient who is critical and fragile? Where does art fit in the bedside care of a patient?” When I think of art, I see it as a medium for individuals to creatively express themselves and their talents.

So, how can art teach me to express love, kindness, and patience to my patients? A creative process can be thought of as an individual using their imagination or engaging in a particular activity, resulting in a unique and beautiful image.

The nursing process is a guide used in the nursing field to help nurses analyze a patient and determine treatment and care for both short-term and long-term goals. The process consists of five steps: 1) Assessment, 2) Diagnosis, 3) Planning, 4) Implementation, and 5) Evaluation. Similarly, the creative process also comprises five stages: 1) Preparation, 2) Incubation, 3) Illumination, 4) Evaluation, and 5) Implementation. “The common thread uniting different types of nurses who work in varied areas is the nursing process—the essential core of practice for the registered nurse to deliver holistic, patient-focused care. An RN uses a systematic, dynamic way to collect and analyze data about a client, the first step in delivering nursing care”, (American Nurses Association, n.d.).

Both processes are similar and can play a major role in the medical and nursing field. As nurses, our minds go through a process that we sometimes cannot explain. When faced with a situation, we employ another type of creative process incorporating nursing judgment, critical thinking, and the nursing process to assist individuals in their care. When examining any artwork, we observe, study, and analyze the work to understand the artist’s thoughts and the message they are conveying. “Gazing at art can help future doctors and nurses hone observation skills and avoid bias,” new research finds. “Observation is key to diagnosis, and art can teach students to slow down and really look,” said a bioethicist and medical anthropologist, who co-authored the study. “Art is a powerful tool for teaching. This program has helped nurses and doctors become more adept at observation and encourages them to avoid making assumptions” (Science Daily, 2015).

As an oncology nurse, I often find myself in situations where I have to make decisions and judgements based on what was taught to me in nursing school. I apply critical thinking and decision-making skills as a nurse to provide effective care to patients by using the nursing process. Both processes have their similarities and serve a purpose in the healing process of an individual. However, the nursing and creative processes are different and are used differently in today’s world. The application of the nursing process in the nursing profession is very critical. This process promotes a clear understanding of a patient’s illness and facilitates care in the nursing profession. It involves critical thinking and analysis of the problems and situations of an individual who is under your care. Using the creative process helps nurses be patient and analyze the situation before making a quick response, judgement, or taking action.

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