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Nurs310 Self Assessment of Reasoning
Nurs310 Self Assessment of Reasoning
Nurs310 Self Assessment of Reasoning
Self-Assessment of Reasoning
Valrey Llewlaka
Ferris State University
SELF-ASSESSMENT OF REASONING
Self-Assessment of Reasoning
This paper explores the process of making observations from a group discussion board,
and then using that information in a personal manner to make the information personal. This
nurse then demonstrates the process of using critical thinking skills to assess her own ability to
apply reasoning for self-assessment. The paper ends with applying these skills as criteria for a
self-assigned grade.
Significant Content
When reviewing the posts in Forum: Unit Week 11 Discussions ~ Stress (Ferris State
University [FSU], 2013) there are several themes that appear common. These include the most
mentioned form of coping being problem-focused strategies (Queendom, 2013) which includes
changing controllable factors that induce stress. Many students express problems related to time:
having time to complete class assignments, time for loved ones or recreation, time to exercise,
time to plan and prepare better meals, and time for other daily demands of life, such as work.
Thoughts and Feelings
Thoughts related to these findings include that stress is common in nursing students.
Even though the individual circumstances differ, it appears that nearly every nursing student
experiences a significant amount of stress while taking classes. This nurse feels that
experiencing stress is a common occurrence whether enrolled in Associate Degree Nursing
(ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs. Even with attending three different
colleges for nursing courses, it is this nurses experience that stress appears to be an expected
part of the nursing program.
SELF-ASSESSMENT OF REASONING
SELF-ASSESSMENT OF REASONING
became necessary for students to choose whether to meet the requirements of work or those of
school.
Consider how your assumptions are shaping your point of view (Foundation for
Critical Thinking [FCT] 2013) is another question a nurse could ask to improve critical thinking
skills. To answer this question requires this nurse to acknowledge the fact that attending the first
nursing program was not a pleasant experience and therefore may create a skewed perspective of
nursing school overall. For this nurse to be able to recognize that her own view may be
influenced by personal feelings often contributes to finding a less biased way to review facts.
Asking how might I look at this situation differently? (Black, 2011) begins the process
of reflective thinking (p. 154). Viewing this nurses assumption as the experience of a single
individual rather than as the truth of nursing students in general provides a starting point. When
this individual nurse can recognize that having a poor experience is related to a situation rather
than a process or outcome, additional insight is gained. That is similar to learning that you need
not blame every man for a single instance of rape. In analyzing individual aspects of this nurses
situation it is apparent that deeming nursing school as designed to create stress is based on
personal perception.
The experience of planning and writing this paper has launched this nurse into beginning
a process wherein this nurses viewpoint and previous assumptions are beginning to be
redefined, initiated with the pursuit of a BSN degree. This nurse is beginning to have a wider
view of nursing as a profession rather than as a job. The discussion board review has revealed
that students enrolled in the FSU BSN program appear to view the stressors as tolerable for a
period of time, or largely as worth the effort. Although the stress may continue, it is becoming
SELF-ASSESSMENT OF REASONING
easier for this nurse to see that obtaining a BSN degree is the beginning of a process rather than
as series of individual, stressful classes.
This paper has offered this nurse the opportunity to challenge her own critical thinking
skills by taking charge of her thoughts. In the process of writing it became apparent that this
nurse was able to use steps of critical thinking to develop and understand a personal perception
as less relevant when compared with the ability to have a broader view. Based on the
development of careful reasoning and a better understanding of the process of critical thinking,
this nurses ability to acknowledge and use the process in a personal way has been demonstrated.
Given that this nurse has shown the ability to apply problem solving and reasoning to her own
perceptions, she believes she deserves a grade of B.
SELF-ASSESSMENT OF REASONING
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References