Critical thinking level in nursing degree students according to sociodemographic and academic variables: A correlational study

Aims: To determine the level of critical thinking of undergraduate nursing students during their clinical practice, as well as to identify the relationship between sociodemographic and academic variables. Background: Nursing degree programs should prioritize the development of critical thinking skills in their curriculum and regularly assess students to ensure the acquisition of core competencies. Design: Multicenter, descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational, descriptive study. Participants included were students from the Degree in Nursing enrolled during the academic year 2020 -2021. Students were selected by convenience from three universities located in Catalonia, Spain. Data were collected from 429 students, with 98 being excluded due to incomplete data. Methods: Data were collected by administering the Nursing Critical Thinking in Students Questionnaire and an ad hoc form of sociodemographic and academic characteristics. The STROBE guidelines checklist were followed. The study involves a secondary analysis of data from a previous study that presented psychometric analysis. Results: No significant differences were observed in total Critical Thinking scores across various parameters including academic year, current situation, work experience in healthcare, previous academic training, family situation, or recent stressful events. On average, students demonstrated moderate critical thinking scores. However, statistically significant relationships emerged between critical thinking scores and gender (p =0.046), institution attended for undergraduate studies (p =0.019) and having satisfactory social relationships despite experiencing stressful events (p =0.330). Conclusions: The study delves into the correlation between critical thinking skills and sociodemographic and academic factors, identifying students who may benefit from specific interventions and advocating for adaptable educational methods. It emphasizes the pivotal role of trust in fostering critical thinking in nursing education and suggests a connection between critical thinking and strong social relationships. In conclusion, evaluating critical thinking is crucial for addressing healthcare challenges, validating teaching strategies and promoting continuous improvement in nursing education.