A Concept Analysis of Nurses` Clinical Decision Making

Abstract

Clinical decision making is a fundamental aspect of nurses` clinical practice and has a direct impact on the health and well-being of each patient. It is a process that nurses undertake on a daily basis when making judgments about the care they provide to patient. Purpose: The present study aimed at clarifying and defining the concept of clinical decision making, its attributes, antecedents, and implication in the nursing practice. Method: In this study, the steps of concept analysis were as follows: Select a concept, determine its aim, various definitions, determine the concept attributes and identify the antecedents and implications. Data Collection: For purposes of this concept analysis, PubMed, Google search engines, Ovid, CINAL and ProQuest, were scanned and searched using the keywords. Conclusion: A nurse"s clinical decision making is the nurse"s intuitive ability to facilitate a healthy life for the patient, and it is to actively break through the crisis situation that appears to the patient and make a desirable choice for a challenging alternative. In addition, the nurse professionally assesses and solves problems for the safety of the patient.Recommendations: Encourage periodic staff meeting between nurses and their supervisors to allow them express their feelings, seeking opinions, exchange their experiences during different situations and getting feedback and support.Hospitals need to represent nurses in hospital committees, sharing and participating in decision making about patients` problems and hospital policies.Nursing administrators and leaders should devise a program for staff nurses about decision making skills.