Impact of Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills on Academic Achievement among Nursing Students'

Abstract

Background: Nowadays all higher educational institutions should develop and enhance their student's critical thinking and problem solving skills to be sure that its products meet or exceed market requirements. this study aimed to determine the impact of critical thinking and problem solving skills on academic achievement among nursing students, Setting; Faculty of Nursing Sohag University The subjects: No. = (448) students all 1 st and 4 th years, they examined using critical thinking, problem solving questionnaires and students achievement sheets, used descriptive correlational research design. The results revealed that; about (55.7%) of 4 th and (49%) of 1 st years nursing students were females, the 1 st year nursing students had unsatisfactory critical thinking (68.8%) and problem solving skills (63.73%), while the 4 th year had satisfactory critical thinking (84.03%) and problem solving skills (78.96%) with achieved point. The present study concluded that, there were positive correlations and statistical significant relation at 1 st and 4 th years nursing student's academic achievement with total critical thinking and problem solving skills for different nursing courses. The findings of the present study recommended that; critical thinking and problem solving skills measurements and development should be emphasized for undergraduates and postgraduates students and the importance of organized specialized training and workshop for nursing students to improve their critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Strategies for Promoting Critical Thinking in the Classroom

“…At the end of both semesters, students completed a self-designed survey questionnaire containing 10 items. Responses from the first (25) and second (21) semesters were evaluated separately. The findings revealed that most of the students felt that participating in concept mapping improved their understanding of diet therapy principles (19 of 25; 18 of 21), self-directed learning (14 of 25; 18 of 21), critical thinking (21 of 25; 14 of 21), problem-solving (22 of 25; 16 of 21), and collaboration (24 of 25; 20 of 21) skills.…”