A group of nurse managers wishes to develop more expert nurses in the hospital. Which activities should they plan? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply

Question

1. Encourage the development of critical thinking skills.
2. Require that all nurses go back to school for an advanced degree.
3. Schedule sessions that will allow nurses to reflect on the care provided over a specific period of time.
4. Encourage examination of alternate solutions to common nursing problems.
5. Encourage strict adherence to all unit protocols.

Answer 1

1,3,4
Rationale 1: Critical thinking is closely associated with clinical judgment and expertise in nursing.
Rationale 2: While education is essential to the development of clinical judgment and critical thinking skills, a requirement to go back to school is sometimes not well received. Leaders should also consider the impact on scheduling should all nurses return to school at the same time.
Rationale 3: Honest reflection is integral to the learning process and to gaining expertise.
Rationale 4: The expert nurse avoids "group think.".
Rationale 5: The expert nurse may diverge from protocol based on experience. The key to this variance is that the nurse understands what variance is acceptable and what variance is dangerous or unacceptable.