Effect of Clinical Reasoning Seminars on Medical-Surgical Specialty HESI Examination Scores

Abstract

Background: Clinical reasoning and clinical judgment have been identified as essential skills for the delivery of quality patient care. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of clinical reasoning seminars (CRSs) on medical-surgical specialty HESI examination scores of high-risk students. Methods: A retrospective correlational design was used for this study, which involved a review of medical-surgical HESI scores for 115 junior-level baccalaureate nursing students who were identified as academically high-risk and who participated in a series of CRSs. Results: The participation in CRSs by high-risk students did not have a statistically significant impact on the medical-surgical HESI scores. Students who attended CRSs, however, had a higher mean medical-surgical HESI score than students who did not attend any CRSs. Conclusion: Although statistical differences were not found, it appears that high-risk students may have benefitted from participation in CRSs.

Using unfolding case scenarios to promote clinical reasoning for nurse practitioner students

“…Simmons (2010) defined clinical reasoning as "a complex cognitive process" using both formal and informal thinking strategies to obtain information, evaluate the significance of data, and consider alternative options. Good clinical reasoning is essential for sound clinical judgment, which involves making decisions about a patient's diagnosis and needs, and then deciding whether to take a specific action (Fugate et al, 2021); clinical judgment involves cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills (Victor-Chmil, 2013). Traditional teaching methods may not stimulate critical thinking that is required for making good patient care decisions (van Wyngaarden et al, 2019).…”