Characteristics of Critical Thinkers, Research Paper Example

Critical thinking is all about the discovery and application of meaning to what one can see, hear and read. Critical thinking involves looking at an issue actively, examining the experience encountered on the same issue and contrasting and comparing the same with what has been researched and said by the authentic sources.

They are various characteristics that are related to the critical thinking, critical thinkers are always flexible, and they can endure uncertainty and ambiguity. They identify inherent assumptions and biases. Critical thinkers also maintain skepticism air, they do not believe immediately but rather they have a doubting sense on the issues. Most of the times they try to separate the facts from the opinions; they don’t like thinking that everything is a reality or everything is an estimation. Critical thinkers do not oversimplify things even if they look very simple to them, they like taking everything with seriousness it deserves. Critical thinkers do not rush in coming up with a conclusion but rather they examine any evidence available before concluding on any matter (Jean, 2005).

Critical thinkers accept change at all moments without hesitation. They are ever open to the adjustment needs as well as adapting throughout the cycle of inquiry. Critical thinkers are ever willing to examine those values and beliefs that are deeply held as well as modifying those beliefs when experience and the evidence contradict them. Critical thinkers empathize or understand the situations. They appreciate as well as trying to understand the thoughts, behaviors and feelings of others. Other characteristics associated with critical thinkers include their attitude of welcoming divergent views while at the same time examining issues at all angles. Lastly, they know that it is important to understand and even explore positions where they disagree (Worth, 2006).

Nurses meet people who have different problems which are not easy to think on how to handle them, therefore, it needs a person of critical thinking to solve out the problem. Nurses need to be great thinkers who think quickly on which solution to bring around very quickly. This is because the patients need very urgent attention and healing. Nurses also need to examine the evidence or the information given to them by the patients before they rush to the conclusion on the way to treat the patient. Nurses as critical thinkers also need to look at the views given to them at all angles and perspectives (Mary, 2007).

References

Jean, N. (2005). Leadership and Nursing Care Management. California: Elsevier Health Sciences.

Mary, M. (2007). The nurse educator’s guide to assessing learning outcomes. London: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

Worth, W. (2006, June). Critical Thinking. Retrieved March 3, 2010, from  http://74.125.153.132/search?q=cache:FwaQ4G2fiTsJ:users.ipfw.edu/wellerw/critical_thinking.ppt+characteristics+of+critical+thinkers&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ke&client=firefox-a