Thinking outside the box: exploring educators' perspectives regarding the development of critical thinking in nursing students

Developing critical thinking in nursing students is a vital yet challenging goal in nursing education. This research investigates nursing educators' perspectives on critical thinking development and includes qualitative interviews where four nursing educators reveal key challenges, including curriculum limitations, resource constraints, and a task-focused approach. The findings underscore the necessity of critical thinking for patient safety and effective care, with educators using strategies such as simulations, real-life scenarios, interactive methods, and mentorship. The study calls for curriculum reforms to include more hands-on practice and critical thinking opportunities. Recommendations involve enhanced mentorship, better admission screening, and increased access to and training for interactive learning tools. Future research should compare teaching strategies, develop assessment tools, and explore the impact of emerging technologies. Addressing these areas can better equip nursing students for the complexities of clinical practice, ensuring safer and more effective patient care.