[ concept analysis of critical thinking in clinical nursing]

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Aging of population, increased cultural and social differences in societies, increased rate of chronic diseases, reduction of financial resources, the flash-like technological changes, emphasis on home care, increased trend toward patient-centered care and evidence based practice have resulted in more complexity in clinical environments. Providing standard safe and effective care in such environmental conditions can only be achieved by development of critical thinking skills in the nursing staff. There are many definitions about critical thinking in nursing. Many of these explanations are complicated, without significant relation to the clinical and professional performances