Professional Nursing: Lesson 5
August 2011 © RN Professional Development Centre & Nova Scotia DOH, Halifax, NS 1
LESSON FIVE
The Nursing Process and Critical Thinking
Introduction
Registered Nurses must use organized, critical thought to make judgements, solve
problems and care for clients. We no longer “blindly” follow the orders of the
physician, we must develop skills in questioning, reasoning and logical thought.
Through the use of the nursing process the nurse ensures that the client is assessed
holistically, and that their needs are prioritized in a manner that will achieve optimal
health outcomes. The nurse must also ensure that the client and family are involved
throughout; an active partner in their own unique health care experience.
Lesson Outcomes
1. Describes the characteristics of a critical thinker.
2. Understands the role of the nurse in problem solving and making clinical
judgements.
3. Describes how the nurse uses critical thinking skills when developing healthcare
plans.
4. Understands the five components of the nursing process.
5. Explores how to facilitate client ownership of their health care plan.