Nursing research: perspectives on critical thinking

Critical thinking is an important component of professional practice. It is the hallmark of the competent nursing practitioner and yet there is no consensus on its definition, teaching or learning strategies of critical thinking skills in nursing students. Although critical thinking appears to be desirable at all levels of nursing practice, evidence to support its educational development in nurses appears to be limited. If educators are to prepare nurses to become leaders in their profession, the educational development of these essential skills in nurses needs to be addressed.