Critical thinking is vital to evidence-based nursing practice and is essential in the current complex
health care delivery system.
Aim: the study aimed to assess the relationship between critical thinking disposition of nursing students and
their performance in clinical area with patients on hemodialysis.
Setting: The study was carried out at dialysis unit in Benha University Hospital, Egypt.
Research design: descriptive correctional design was used.
Sample: convenience sample composed of 52 internship nursing studentswho studied 4 academic years in
different departments.
Tools: Three tools were used for data collection; first, one is The California critical thinking disposition
inventory scale, the second is Observational checklist for analyzing CT in dialysis unit. The third is
observational checklist for haemodialysis nursing skills.
Results: more than half (55.8%) of students aged between (20- 22) years old. Half (50%) of them were
ambivalent disposition of critical thinking with mean score 240.86±31.26. more than half (61.5%) of student
were insufficient using critical thinking in caring of patient on hemodialysis and there was positive correlation
between critical thinking disposition of students and total performance of CT in dialysis unit(r = +.573**).
Conclusion: there is positive correlation and highly significant between critical thinking disposition of students
and their performance in clinical area with patient on hemodialysis.
Recommendations: The study recommended thatCT is needed not only in the clinical practice environment, but
also required as a comprehensive component in nursing education programs for the development of students’
CT skills.