Processes used by nurses to make decisions in the clinical practice setting

A qualitative study was conducted to examine the processes nurses used to make decisions in actual practice settings. Nurse participants (n = 17) practicing in acute care settings were observed and interviewed to determine the covert cognitive processes that occurred while they were making decisions. Data were analyzed using a constant comparative method. Two decision-making categories emerged: goal-directed process and rule-out process. The goal-directed process was used to reach a goal. The rule-out process involved the development and elimination of hypotheses until only one remained. This process was used to determine what problems existed, the cause of a problem, or the action needed.