The Role of Critical Thinking in Improving The Quality of Clinical Nursing Actions: Literature Review
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Abstract
Critical thinking skills are a fundamental aspect of the nursing profession as they play an important role in supporting rational, structured, and evidence-based clinical decision-making. With these skills, nurses can analyze conditions logically and objectively to provide safe and quality care. The purpose of this review is to explore the contribution of critical thinking in improving the quality of nursing actions in the clinical environment. The study used a scoping review type literature review method following the PRISMA 2009 guidelines. The identification process was carried out through three main databases, namely Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and PubMed, with article selection based on the criteria of publication year 2016-2025, open access, and topic relevance. Five articles were selected for further analysis. The study results show that the mastery of critical thinking in nurses is influenced by educational background, work experience, work environment conditions, and learning methods used, such as simulation and problem-based learning. Nurses with a good level of critical thinking tend to make more accurate decisions, compile documentation more systematically, and are active in maintaining patient safety. However, there are a number of barriers to the application of these skills, including time constraints, lack of reflective training, and work systems that do not provide flexibility in making decisions. The discussion emphasizes that strategies such as case-based clinical learning, professional supervision, and the creation of a collaborative work culture can be solutions to strengthen critical thinking skills. In conclusion, critical thinking is a key pillar that supports nurses' professionalism and contributes greatly to improving service quality and patient safety.
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