What does the term "clinical judgment" refer to in nursing?

Clinical judgment in nursing refers to the process of making decisions based on assessments, which involves the integration of critical thinking, knowledge, and patient data. This process includes evaluating patient information, recognizing patterns or changes in a patient's condition, and utilizing evidence-based practices to determine the best course of action. Effective clinical judgment is essential for providing safe and high-quality care, as it empowers nurses to respond appropriately to the needs of their patients.

In this context, it is important to consider that while diagnosis and intuition play a role in clinical practice, they do not encompass the entire scope of clinical judgment. Diagnosing a patient’s condition is a step within the broader framework of clinical judgment but does not include the comprehensive assessment and decision-making involved. Similarly, relying solely on intuition without a foundation of evidence or thorough assessment can lead to errors in judgment. A subjective opinion about treatment lacks the necessary objectivity and thorough analysis that underpin sound clinical judgment. Therefore, the correct understanding of clinical judgment is intrinsically linked to the systematic process of making informed decisions based on a wide range of assessments.