A nurse is using a critical thinking model to provide care. Which component is first that helps a nurse make clinical decisions?

A) Attitude
B) Experience
C) Nursing process
D) Specific knowledge base

The first component of the critical thinking model is a nurse's specific knowledge base. After acquiring a sound knowledge base, the nurse can then apply knowledge to different clinical situations using the nursing process to gain valuable experience. Clinical learning experiences are necessary to acquire clinical decision-making skills. The nursing process competency is the third component of the critical thinking model. Eleven attitudes define the central features of a critical thinker and how a successful critical thinker approaches a problem.