The purpose of this paper is to write my personal and specific plan for continued learning in four specific areas of knowledge. These areas are: critical thinking, computer literacy, information literacy, and nursing informatics. The paper discusses the plan for learning in each area and closes with a summary statement.
According to Schumm and Post (1996) critical thinking is the ability to thinking logically and cohesively. It is a method by which the mind seeks to understand and evaluate information.
Schumm and Post (1996) also note that critical thinking is judgmental which is to say that in seeking to understand presented information, it judges ambiguity, whether a formulated conclusion is warranted, and whether statements made are acceptable and rationale. The authors further state that critical thinkers are willing to spend all of the time needed and required to reflect upon ideas. They are logical thinkers who are diligent in seeking out and finding the truth of a claim. They are able to see and understand alternative points of view and are open to new ideas even when these disagree with their existing opinions. They are able to see connections between topics and use knowledge from other disciplines to enhance their abilities and understanding.
In order to build my critical thinking skills as they are defined above and as related to my role option as Nurse Administrator, I plan to take several courses that will provide me with real-life experiences of engaging in activities central to the role. For example, core courses MSN 552, 562, and 572 all provide experience in initiating and developing plans central to the Nurse Administrator role in a healthcare setting. These courses will offer excellent opportunities for honing my critical thinking skills as they will help me to determine and recognize not only how to go about developing a plan but also in terms of recognizing and understanding the obstacles that must be o...