A comparison of the critical thinking ability in the first and last term baccalaureate students of nursing and clinical nurses of Jahrom University of Medical Sciences in 1386

Nursing authorities believe that the ability to think critically by nurses plays an important role in providing individual care, solving problems, making complex decisions, Therefore, critical thinking ability needs to be developed and evaluated during educational experience and be promoted after employment as a professional nurse. The aim of this study was to determine and compare critical thinking abilities among the first and last term baccalaureate nursing students and clinical nurses of Jahrom University of Medical Sciences. This is a cross-sectional study and the data were collected through self reporting using Watson and Glaser standard questionnaire (form A) matched with social and cultural circumstances of Iran country. Its validity and reliability was determined in a pilot study. The subjects of this study included 53 first term and last term baccalaureate nursing students and 41 baccalaureate clinical nurses. The sampling method inused was nonrandom while nurse contributors were selected through random sampling. The findings showed that the mean score of critical thinking of the first term nursing students was 45/1 SD± 8/1, the last term nursing students was 44/3 ± 6/05 and clinical nurses was 44/3 ± 7/7, indicating the weakness in critical thinking abilities in t he study groups. Also, there were no significant differences between nursing students and clinical nurses in the mean scores of the five sub -scores and total scores of WG critical thinking appraisal. Regarding the weakness and also lack of differences in critical thinking ability of the first term and last term nursing students and clinical nurses, there is a need to revise the present traditional educational strategies. The, use of more active learning methods, and application of caring methods leading to active participation of nurses in clinical decisions are suggested.