Nurses
are often taught the value of “critical thinking;” in fact we will have
critical thinking exercises to strengthen these skills, and we will
attend seminars to encourage critical thinking. But, have you ever
wondered just what “critical thinking” really is?
Critical thinking is creative thinking; and creative thinking comes
from within. Many institutions say that they promote critical thinking
while they stifle creativity at every turn. We use critical thinking
for problem solving, and not all problems can be solved in analytical
terms, most problems require creative solutions.
Whether or not your institution promotes creative thinking, you can
learn to become a creative person; and to use that creativity in your
care. Really good problem-solving always involves creativity. Start
to recognize where you are creative and focus on integrating that
creative spirit into your assessment and caring skills.
To increase your creativity spend some time with your kids watching
the world from their eyes; or spend more time outdoors observing the
delicate intricacies of the natural world. Reward yourself with an
“artist’s date night” where you go to a musical or a museum. Do things
that you’ve never done before; and look, and sense, and find the
connections. Thinking outside the box requires that you get outside
the box first!
Use your creativity to develop a system for you. Many of the ways
we approach taking care of our patients is based on a system that
someone else taught us. To function at your highest level and find the
greatest satisfaction from nursing, you will need to develop a system
of care that is truly your own. What would your personal care delivery
system look like?
Creativity is key; don’t let your creativity fade because you have
to work within a bureaucratic system. Make creativity the defining
character of your career.
“Creativity represents a miraculous coming together of the
uninhibited energy of the child with its apparent opposite and enemy,
the sense of order imposed on the disciplined adult intelligence.”
-Norman Podhoretz
Best wishes,
David W. Woodruff, MSN, RN, CNS
President, Ed4Nurses, Inc.