Greatest Influences on Clinical Judgment

Christine Tanner’s model of clinical judgment identifies three key influences: experience, knowledge, and intuition.

Experience is the foundation of clinical judgment. It is through experience that nurses learn to recognize patterns, assess risk, and make decisions. Experience also helps nurses to develop their confidence in their judgment.

Knowledge is another essential component of clinical judgment. Nurses must have a deep understanding of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and other aspects of nursing science in order to make sound judgments.

Intuition is a complex phenomenon that is not fully understood. However, it is clear that intuition plays a role in clinical judgment. Intuition is often described as a gut feeling or a sixth sense. It can be based on a nurse’s experience, knowledge, and even unconscious cues.

Combination of Experience and Knowledge

In my opinion, the greatest influences on clinical judgment are a combination of experience and knowledge. Experience provides nurses with the foundation they need to make judgments, while knowledge gives them the tools to do so effectively.

For example, an experienced nurse may be able to tell that a patient is in pain based on their body language and facial expressions. This is because the nurse has seen many patients in pain over the years. However, the nurse must also have a knowledge of anatomy and physiology in order to understand the cause of the pain and to determine the best course of treatment.

Role of Intuition

Intuition plays a role in clinical judgment by helping nurses to identify and respond to subtle cues. For example, a nurse may have an intuitive feeling that something is wrong with a patient, even though the patient’s vital signs are stable. This feeling may be based on the nurse’s experience with similar patients, or it may be based on a subconscious assessment of the patient’s body language and demeanor.

Nurses can develop their intuition by paying attention to their gut feelings and by reflecting on their experiences. When a nurse has a strong intuitive feeling about a patient, they should not ignore it. They should investigate the feeling further and take appropriate action.

How to Develop Nursing Intuition

Here are some tips on how to develop nursing intuition:

• Be present with your patients. Pay attention to their body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. Notice any changes in their behavior or condition.
• Trust your gut feelings. Don’t be afraid to act on your intuition, even if it doesn’t make sense to you right away.
• Reflect on your experiences. Think about the times when your intuition was right and the times when it wasn’t. What can you learn from your experiences?
• Talk to other nurses. Ask them about their experiences with intuition and how they have developed their own intuition.

It is important to note that intuition is not a substitute for evidence-based practice. Nurses should always use their clinical judgment to make decisions, even if they have a strong intuitive feeling about a patient. However, intuition can be a valuable tool for nurses, and it can help them to provide better care for their patients.

Conclusion

Experience, knowledge, and intuition are all important influences on clinical judgment. Nurses can develop their clinical judgment by gaining experience, acquiring knowledge, and paying attention to their intuition. Nurses can also learn from other nurses and by reflecting on their own experiences.