Creating a Simulation Experience to Promote Clinical Judgment

A concept analysis of clinical judgment in undergraduate nursing students

AIM

To offer a clear understanding of the definition, attributes, antecedents, and consequences of undergraduate nursing students' clinical judgment in the nursing education context.

BACKGROUND

Clinical judgment is a concept with broad uses among healthcare professionals. Its definitions and attributes vary across contexts. There is no established understanding of clinical judgment in nursing students.

DESIGN

This concept analysis was performed using the eight steps of Walker and Avant's framework.

DATA SOURCES

A literature search was conducted using search engines and included peer-reviewed articles related to clinical judgment in nursing students.

RESULTS

Clinical judgment in nursing students was defined as the cognitive process exhibited via a nursing action by observation, patient assessment, interpreting, and prioritizing data that lead to responding using the appropriate nursing practice with the patient. Reflection was used to evaluate nursing students' clinical judgment to revise nursing practice. Antecedents included nursing education curriculum, student's knowledge, previous clinical experience, critical thinking, and clinical reasoning. The consequences of clinical judgment were clinical judgment ability, safe nursing practice, nursing care quality, and patient safety.

CONCLUSIONS

This concept analysis gives clear insights into the definition, attributes, antecedents, and consequences of undergraduate nursing student's clinical judgment.

Improving Physical Assessment and Clinical Judgment Skills without Increasing Content in a Prelicensure Nursing Health Assessment Course

One hundred twenty-six assessment skills are taught in prelicensure nursing health assessment courses, yet 30 skills are used on a routine basis in practice. New nurses struggle to apply their acquired knowledge in clinical settings. Method: A literature review was completed. Based on the results, a first semester health assessment course in a southeastern accelerated baccalaureate nursing program was redesigned. Lectures and skills labs were adjusted to focus on the most critical assessment skills. To foster critical thinking and clinical judgement, a health assessment post conference was added where students completed concept maps, system specific case studies, nursing priority setting, and patient teaching plans. Results: Outcome surveys were completed by second semester faculty. Prior to course adjustments, 33 percent of students did not meet the benchmark. Following course changes, all students met or exceeded the benchmark. Conclusion: Focusing on critical assessment skills will increase student nurses’ ability to deliver safe patient care.