9.3.2 Critical thinking ability of students undertaking a bachelor’s degree in nursing in Ireland (338)
Josephine Hegarty, Senior Lecturer, School of Nursign & Midwifery, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland Co authors: Ella Walsh & Geraldine McCarthy J.Hegarty@ucc.ie
Abstract:
Background:
Nurses in this generation of high patient acuity levels must critically analyse a multiplicity of information to accurately define problems, initiate treatment and evaluate patient care. Thus, educational institutions worldwide need to ensure that nurse graduates are equipped with the necessary clinical decision making skills. Critical thinking is an essential component of accurate communication, problem solving, decision making and the development of nursing theory and research.
Aim:
This study aimed to measure and compare the critical thinking abilities of first year BSc students, fourth year BSc students and fourth year post registration students in Ireland in order to illustrate the effects of advancing nurse education on critical thinking ability.
Methods:
Data collection for this quantitative, longitudinal, correlational study was undertaken using The Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Test (WGCTA), this assessment tool has proven reliability and validity. A convenience sample of BSc (pre-registration) nursing students took the WGCTA in year one (n=72) and year four (n=37) of their programme. Registered nurses undertaking a one year degree programme (n=54) also took the WGCTA at the end of their one year programme.
Results:
The age distribution for study participants followed an expected pattern with first year students forming the youngest contingent with 65% (47/72) falling within the 18-20 year age category. Findings revealed a trend towards increasing critical thinking ability as students progressed through their nursing education programme. WGCTA total mean raw scores increased from first year (50.43) through to fourth year (51.92) of the BSc programme on all subscales with the exception of inference.
Conclusion:
These results indicate that nurse education to degree level has the potential to improve student’s critical thinking abilities. This therefore has implications for the advancement of nursing education programmes both in Ireland and worldwide.
Source of Funding: Other
Amount in Funding: 1,000
Biography:
Josephine Hegarty is a senior lecturer in the School of nursing and midwfery. She is also a Cochrane research fellow