Beyond Algorithms: The Power of Critical Thinking in Nurse-Authored Blog Content

Understanding the power of critical thinking in nurse-authored blog content can create a well-written blog and deliver an analysis of accurate, up-to-date, and relevant information. This article will discuss how critical thinking skills help nurses write better blog content, how writers can use critical thinking to identify and evaluate sources for a blog, and the benefits of using critical thinking in nurse-authored blog content.

How Does Critical Thinking Help Nurses Write Better Blog Content?

Critical thinking helps nurses write better blog content because nurses receive training in effective, clear, concise documentation containing evidence-based and relevant information. Critical thinking goes beyond problem-solving and uses questions and imagination to seek solutions to the underlying issue or question.  

Nurses with strong critical thinking skills make better blog content writers because they have the following qualities:

• Curiosity about various subjects
• An understanding of the need to be well-informed
• Confidence in their abilities to reason
• Open-mindedness
• Consideration for alternative options
• A willingness to reconsider or revise personal views

Nurse content writers can deliver better blog content because they can critically analyze information and disseminate it to other healthcare workers or the general public in a clear and understandable way.

Developing critical thinking skills takes practice. Nurse content writers should learn from other experts, be open to new ways of thinking, and allow themselves time to reevaluate and reflect upon their writing. Writers who use critical thinking work to develop the skills of self-reflection, observation, and evaluation to become self-aware of areas in which they need to improve.

How to Use Critical Thinking to Identify and Evaluate Sources for a Blog

Because of the education nurses receive, they are perfectly positioned to use critical thinking when identifying and evaluating sources for blog content. When writing a nurse-authored blog post, a nurse first needs to ensure they fully understand the question they are trying to answer.

In nursing research, this is called the PICO question and can apply to any writing that uses critical thinking. When using a PICO statement, writers will need to consider the following questions to write their blog posts:

• Who is the audience?
• What intervention should the reader take as a result of this article?
• Does the reader need to compare anything?
• What is the desired outcome for this blog post? 

Research for nurse-authored blog content uses critical thinking skills because the author must search for information relevant to the topic they are writing about; to do this, they must review and analyze multiple sources. 

When it comes to finding sources, nurses are skilled at the following:

• Finding relevant and current information 
• Providing evidence-based resources and references
• Writing from experience in their chosen field of nursing
• Researching until they understand their topic
• Presenting information in a professional manner

Talented nurse content writers use problem-solving skills when deciding which sources to use, allowing them to consider the audience they are writing for. This holistic approach ensures that they can write clearly for the level of expertise the audience needs.

The Benefits of Using Critical Thinking in Nurse-Authored Blog Content

The primary benefit of using critical thinking in nurse-authored blog content is that both skills involve organizing thoughts and exchanging ideas. Critical thinking requires nurse authors to evaluate and analyze criteria to decide what is relevant. Blog content written by a nurse with strong critical thinking skills will likely be engaging, thoughtful, and high quality.

Nurses receive training in the following critical thinking skills:

• Investigating beyond the obvious
• Observing and studying every situation
• Going through the process of reviewing all possible outcomes
• Considering different perspectives
• Understanding how to discern and correct personal biases 

Nursing content writers use the critical thinking skills they develop daily while facing situations that force them to make quick assessments with limited resources. Because of these challenges, nurses become adept at quickly developing creative, flexible blog posts with confidence and originality. 

The power of critical thinking in a nurse-authored blog post is a well-written, well-researched article that delivers accurate and up-to-date information. Organizations can use nurse-authored blog content in multiple healthcare settings and even outside the industry. Nurses are trained to provide clear and concise information directed at their target audiences and can adjust their voices to reach different levels of education. They will use their critical thinking skills to deliver content in a well-thought-out and informed manner. 

For more information on ensuring you have the best nurse writers for your blog, come see how Write RN can help you find your next content writer.

References

Falcó‐Pegueroles, A., Rodríguez‐Martín, D., Ramos‐Pozón, S., & Zuriguel‐Pérez, E. (2020). Critical thinking in nursing clinical practice, education and research: From attitudes to virtue. Nursing Philosophy, 22(1), e12332. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nup.12332 

Papathanasiou, I. V., Kleisiaris, C. F., Fradelos, E. C., Kakou, K., & Kourkouta, L. (2014). Critical thinking: The development of an essential skill for nursing students. Acta Informatica Medica, 22(4): 283–286. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4216424/

Regis College. (2021, October 29). How to leverage critical thinking in nursing practice. https://online.regiscollege.edu/blog/how-to-leverage-critical-thinking-in-nursing-practice/

Wolters Kluwer. (2018, June 7). Turning new nurses into critical thinkers. https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/expert-insights/turning-new-nurses-into-critical-thinkers