Use of Metacognition in Developing Diagnostic Reasoning Skills of Novice Nurses

PURPOSE. To discuss the assumptions of metacognition as it applies to reasoning skills in nursing and to explore one way to incorporate these principles into a teaching environment SOURCES. Books, published articles, teaching experiences DATA SYNTHESIS. When working with novice nurses, whether in a university or inservice setting, the conceptual basis of cognitive psychology is useful in helping develop diagnostic reasoning ability. An instrument to help nurses acknowledge the metacognitive skills used within their clinical judgment processes was designed and implemented CONCLUSION. This instrument has proved useful to students and teachers alike over the last 6 years. Formal research needs to be done to substantiate empiric observation. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE. An instrument such as this can help mentors, preceptors, and teachers guide novice nurses in documenting diagnostic decision making.