CRITICAL THINKING FOR NURSES CTSC-001

How are your problem-solving skills these days? Does it seem that you keep bumping into issues on your unit or in your department that you know could be improved or eliminated if only you knew how?

These issues could be impacting work practices or communication with colleagues or shift teams and other allied health professionals who also care for your patients. There could be inefficient approaches for the way the unit or department functions or decisions that are made on the spot with no analysis, and poor responses when there is a crisis. Are you living that reality or do you already have some good skills but want to make them even better?

In healthcare, there seems to be an assumption that critical thinking for nurses comes as a natural byproduct of education and experience. The basics of critical thinking are touched on in nursing school however deeper critical thinking skill development as a specific course of study does not come up on the curriculum. BUT….. strong critical thinking skills are essential in nursing practice. That places nurses, particularly new nurses, at a distinct disadvantage. They need more than just the basics when they are in leadership roles. Not having good skills to solve problems and provide efficient, collaborative changes to practice that lead to successful outcomes for patients is frustrating and unproductive.

As a nurse with superior critical thinking skills, you will save your organization money because of the competencies you bring, (they will love you for it). These skills make you highly employable as a healthcare provider and you will ultimately save lives.

The Caritas College Critical Thinking Course for Nurses is a robust 24 hours of online professional development which is deep as well as entertaining learning because professional development should be enjoyable as well as valuable. Each unit contains videos, brain breaks, and even anecdotes or jokes to lighten the load of learning.

When you register for this professional development course, you are given 90 days of access to complete the program. You complete the 12 units on your own schedule to fit your life and commitments. Upon completion, you will receive a certificate of completion.

This Program is approved in Canada for advanced and restricted practice education by the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA).

This program is approved in the United States nationally for 207 continuing education hours through the Montana Nurses Association, an accredited approver with distinction by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Upon the completion of the 24-hour online theory course, you will be able to demonstrate enhanced skills in critical thinking/critical inquiry, clinical judgments, appropriate communications and attitudes to promote client safety, advocacy, prevention, interventions within the scope of nursing practice, and forward referral to support the following learning outcomes:

  1. Identify a problem
  2. Analyze the elements/facts of a specific situation/problem
  3. Communicate the important elements/issues
  4. Gather relevant situational information
  5. Interpret information effectively relative to the problem
  6. Establish relevant criteria and standards for acceptable solutions
  7. Develop alternatives to address criteria
  8. Clarify assumptions
  9. Predict implications and consequences. Construct well-reasoned solutions/conclusions supported with fact
  10. Communicate decisions
  11. Use a process to make a decision

Module 1 Introduction to critical thinking: Course introduction
Course Learning Objectives
Digital citizenship (modified) in the online environment
Where did critical thinking come from?
Why do I need critical thinking in my life?
What will critical thinking skills do to change or improve my practice?
Review activities

Module 2: Components of critical thinking
Applying reason
Open-mindedness
Analysis
Logic

Module 3: Non-Linear Thinking
What the heck is that?
Step out of your comfort zone
Don’t jump to conclusions
Expect and initiate change
Being ready to adapt
Review activity

Module 4: Logical thinking
Ask the right questions
Organize the data
Evaluate the information
Draw conclusions

Module 5: Critical Thinkers 
Active listening
Being curious (what if/ out of the box views)
Be disciplined (distractions)
Be humble

Module 6: Critical Thinkers II
See the bigger picture
Objectivity
Using your emotions (EQ/EI)
Being self aware

Module: 7 Evaluate information
Making assumptions
Watch out for bias
Ask clarifying questions
SWOT analysis

Module 8: The benefits if critical thinking
Being more persuasive
Better communication, better results
Better problem solving
Increased emotional intelligence

Module 9: Changing your perspective
Limitations to your point of view
Considering others viewpoints
Influences on bias – Fallacies
When new information arrives (curveballs)

Module 10: Problem solving
Identifying inconsistencies
Trust your instincts
Asking why?
Evaluating the solutions

Module 11: Putting it all together
Retaining your new skills
Tools to aid in critical thinking and critical conversations
Reflective practice: learn from successes and mistakes
Always ask questions
Practicing critical thinking

Module 12:
Now what? Creating an action plan

Final exam

You can register for the course anytime. Courses start on the first business day of each month. The course automatically closes to you after 90 days. Payment must be made in full before you start.
Course Cost: $400.00 CDN
Courses open on October 3rd, 2021
Funding or reimbursement may be available through your provincial or state nursing organization.

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