Critical Thinking and Writing in Nursing
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Critical thinking and writing is central to effective nursing practice. Written specifically for nursing students, this book offers practical guidance on what it means to think critically as a nurse and how to apply this to study and practice. From critically reviewing literature for assessments to evaluating evidence to support decision-making in practice, the book provides a unique framework for developing essential critical skills. Key features A new chapter on ′Writing the Clinical Case Study′, along with new guidance on how to become a successful independent learner, advice on managing information overload, and many more updates and enhancements on the previous edition. Each chapter is mapped to the 2018 NMC standards Filled with activities and student case studies demonstrating how to apply critical thinking and reflection in practice Innovative approach that introduces the different levels of critical thinking and reflection required of degree level study
Critical Thinking Skills
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Written by internationally renowned author Stella Cottrell, this is an essential resource for students looking to refine their thinking, reading and writing skills. Stella Cottrell's student-centred approach demystifies critical thinking and breaks down a complex subject into manageable chunks. With clear explanations, relevant examples and plenty of exercises throughout, this book helps students to develop their analytical reasoning skills and apply them to a range of tasks including reading, note-making and writing. This text will turn even the most hesitant student into a proficient critical thinker. This is an ideal companion for students of study skills, humanities, social sciences, business and arts programmes, where assessment includes essay and report writing. It is suitable for students of all levels. New to this Edition: - Brand new chapter on critical thinking and employability - Includes a wider range of examples to highlight the variety of contexts in which critical thinking can be used - Coverage of both academic and professional forms of critical writing
As a nursing student, you’re not just learning facts—you’re learning to think like a nurse. This means going beyond simply describing information to critically engaging with it. Critical writing is an essential skill in nursing education because it shows your ability to analyse, evaluate, make connections between ideas, and apply knowledge to real-world situations.
Think of descriptive writing as "What?" and critical writing as "So what?" and "What next?"
| Feature | Descriptive writing | Critical writing |
| Purpose | To inform or describe | To analyse, evaluate, and interpret |
| Focus | States and explains what happened | Identifies the significance of what happened and questions existing explanations of a situation and examines alternative explanations |
| Structure | Presents information in sequence | Organises information around ideas, arguments or questions |
| Evidence | Lists ideas or perspectives on the topic from various experts |
Evaluates the strengths and weakness of the evidence supporting the theory or argument. Explains how ideas or perspectives are connected to each other and to the overall topic |
| Outcomes | Gives options | Evaluates the various options and explains which option is best and why |
The following paragraphs compare one which uses descriptive writing to describe a situation. The second paragraph has been rewritten to include the writer's critical analysis of the situation.
The patient was admitted with shortness of breath and a productive cough. On examination, she had a fever of 38.5°C, and her respiratory rate was 24 breaths per minute. A chest X-ray showed consolidation in the right lower lobe. The patient was started on IV antibiotics and was monitored regularly.
The patient's symptoms and diagnostic findings indicate a likely diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia. The elevated temperature and increased respiratory rate are typical of an inflammatory response. Consolidation seen on the X-ray further supports this diagnosis. Early initiation of IV antibiotics aligns with clinical guidelines, which emphasise prompt treatment to reduce the risk of complications. Continued monitoring is essential to assess treatment effectiveness and detect potential deterioration.
Critical writing isn’t about being negative—it’s about thinking deeply. It shows that you understand not just what’s happening in nursing practice, but why it matters. With practice, your writing will become more confident and insightful—just like your clinical skills!
Thank you to the team at University of Technology Sydney who gave us permission to adapt and use their guide on How to write critically