Active reading
This involves proactive involvement while reading a text signifying that it extends beyond reading and answering possible questions raised. According to Godfrey (2014), the motive of active reading is to evaluate and understand a text due to its relevance …show more content…
to the specific needs. While engaging in active reading, there are various strategies that a reader may adopt like making predictions and highlight. By making predictions, a reader makes a guess of what will happen next in a text. Highlighting, on the other hand, involves marking important information through the reading process. This requires a person to understand what comprises of important information in a text.
Effective writing
Effective writing entails a form of writing characterized the logical flow of ideas and is equally cohesive (Campbell, 2009). As such, it holds together well in that sentences and paragraphs are well connected. In a situation where writing is cohesive, it becomes a unified whole making it easy for a reader to follow because it makes use of language effectively thus maintaining focus and enabling the reader to remain focused. The choice of the right sentence structure is crucial in ensuring a logical flow of information. To achieve this, a writer must prepare a draft, edit and revise all written materials to limit the possibility of making mistakes and ambiguous statements.
Benefits
Generally
From a general perspective, there are benefits associated with the three aspects of critical thinking, active reading and effective reading. One of the benefits of having critical thinking abilities relates to the ability to think clearly and rationally. Again, it enhances language as well as presentation skills while equally promoting creativity. Lastly, critical thinking is beneficial in that it provides tools for self-reflection, an essential aspect towards achieving a meaningful life and also on reflecting values and decisions to live positively. According to Godfrey (2014), one of the benefits of active reading relates to gaining a better understanding of the course materials and other texts important in improving daily life. The other benefit is that the process is time-saving while at the same time allowing the reader to have a deep understanding of the material. Some of the general benefits of effective writing relate to the ability to communicate with clarity, eliminating stress and improved productivity.
In the nursing field
There are various benefits associated with the three discussed communication skills in the nursing field.
The use of critical thinking is important in that it leads to clear thinking and making rational decisions in applying the learned skills. Secondly, nurses face decision-making situations while dealing with patients and every decision has an impact on patient outcomes (Hsiao and Ing, 2015). Through critical thinking while making decisions nurses improve the quality of patient outcomes. Lastly, nurses encounter various challenges requiring the right analysis and decision and this is achieved through critical thinking. Active reading in the nursing field is beneficial in that it helps nurses to understand issues and come up with the best solutions. Again, it helps in earning trust from patients because of the ability to come up with solutions to various health challenges. Lastly, active reading helps in increasing critical thinking skills (Campbell, 2009). Some of the benefits of effective writing in the nursing field, on the other hand, comprise of clearer communication, ensuring better patient care and expanded career opportunities. Lastly, effective writing improves a nurse’s productivity because it activates the brain’s neurons enabling it to overcome the tasks at
hand.
Personal Challenges
Application of effective critical thinking skills, active reading and effective learning is challenging at the initial stages and a student must overcome possible challenges to succeed. At the individual level, I have experienced some challenges in the quest to achieve these skills. Some notable of the personal challenges I face comprises of fear of failure and criticism. In most instances, I have a fear of failing or wrong often limiting my application of critical thinking. Again, while involved in discussions or forums where there are other people like friends and fellow students, the fear of being criticized limits my critical thinking abilities and effective writing. In respect to active reading, loss of concentration is the primary challenge faced.
To succeed in the nursing field, I must overcome these challenges as they are essential. One of the measures towards overcoming these challenges relates to attention to the development of critical thinking skills, effective writing and active reading. From what I have learned thus far, it has come to my realization that the skills are not only important but equally mandatory irrespective the fact that nurses undertake plenty of clinical work. Where a person is motivated towards achieving a certain outcome, success becomes a routine (Heinrich and Wakefield, 2015). Creating personal awareness about the importance of achieving these skills towards overall success in the nursing profession, it will serve as a good motivation towards overcoming the current obstacles. A notable example towards achieving motivation towards effective writing is derived from the lessons drawn on the writing process where writing is directed at real purposes making it enjoyable. Where writing is guided by an understanding of the real purpose, it helps in informing the reasons and possible expectations of a required text. For instance, if required to write a persuasive article, should consider the possible objections that a reader of the article may come up with to ensure that I adequately address such possible objectives. Other than writing to a specific audience, it is equally possible to make writing meaningful by connecting it to other curriculum areas or profession.