What is critical thinking characterized by?

Critical thinking is characterized by the ability to collect and analyze data in order to make informed decisions. This process involves evaluating information, considering different perspectives, and synthesizing evidence to arrive at a conclusion or solution. It requires higher-order thinking skills that go beyond merely recalling facts or following predetermined instructions.

In practical nursing, critical thinking is essential as it allows nurses to assess patient conditions, prioritize care, and make sound clinical judgments based on evidence and best practices. It fosters the ability to approach complex situations systematically and creatively, ensuring that decisions consider all relevant data and potential outcomes. In contrast, recollecting facts, blindly following instructions, or making decisions based purely on emotions do not engage the analytical and evaluative processes fundamental to critical thinking.