eISSN 2097-6054 ISSN 1672-9234 CN 11-5289/R
Responsible Institution:China Association for Science and Technology
Publishing:Chinese Nursing Journals Publishing House Co.,Ltd.
Sponsor:Chinese Nursing Association
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Chinese Journal of Nursing Education ›› 2026, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (11): 1324-1330.doi: 10.3761/j.issn.1672-9234.2026.11.007

• Ideological and Political Education and Quality Education • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Definition of clinical nursing thinking connotation and analysis of attributes based on the Walker-Avant framework

ZHENG Haixin(), ZHANG Hongchen*(), ZHAO Fangfei, HE Zhihui, KE Hui   

  1. School of Nursing, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China
  • Received:2025-12-02 Online:2026-11-15 Published:2026-11-04
  • Contact: *ZHANG Hongchen,E-mail:hczhang@lzu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Objective To explore the conceptual connotation of clinical nursing thinking. Methods A systematic search was conducted in databases including CNKI,Wanfang,VIP,SinoMed,PubMed,Embase,Scopus,Web of Science,CINAHL,and Cochrane Library. The Walker and Avant’s concept analysis method was applied in this study. Results A total of 71 eligible articles were included. The defining attributes encompassed 6 aspects:contextual thinking,systematic thinking,evidence-based thinking,critical thinking,reflective thinking and innovative thinking. This framework demonstrates a clear hierarchical structure with situational thinking as the foundational domain,systematic and evidence-based thinking as the base layer,critical and reflective thinking as the deepening layer,and innovative thinking as the expansion layer. Antecedents of clinical nursing thinking contained individual and environmental factors,while its consequences covered impacts on patients,nurses/nursing students,and health system. Conclusion Clinical nursing thinking is a multidimensional,integrated higher-order cognitive structure,whose 6 attributes are organically combined at specific levels. This study provides a solid theoretical foundation for the accurate application,operational definition,and scientific development of assessment tools for clinical nursing thinking.

Key words: Clinical Nursing Thinking, Concept Analysis, Nursing Education, Nurses