How to Write Critically: A Complete Guide for Student Nurses

One of the most common pieces of feedback student nurses receive is:
“This needs to be more critical.”
But what does that actually mean?

Whether you're reflecting on placement, analysing a research paper, or writing an essay, critical writing is an essential skill for nursing students. In this guide, we break down what critical writing is, why it matters, and how to do it - step by step.

🔍 What Is Critical Writing?

Critical writing means going beyond simply describing or reporting information. It involves:

• Questioning what you read

• Evaluating evidence

• Exploring different perspectives

• Justifying your arguments

• Linking theory to practice

It’s a form of writing that shows you're thinking deeply - not just about what something is, but how and why it’s relevant, effective, or flawed.

🧠 Think of it this way:
Descriptive = what
Critical = how + why

🎓 Why It Matters in Nursing Education

Nursing is an evidence-based profession. You’re expected to:

• Analyse complex information

• Reflect on your practice

• Understand the rationale behind decisions

• Apply theory to real-life care

Critical writing shows that you can think like a nurse - not just follow instructions. It also helps you meet the NMC proficiency standards, which expect you to “think critically and apply knowledge and evidence to make decisions” (NMC, 2018).

🧰 Key Features of Critical Writing

Feature - What It Means - Example:

Analysis - Breaking ideas into parts - “The care plan addressed physical needs but lacked emotional support.”

Evaluation - Judging strengths/limitations - “Although SBAR improves handovers, it may be less effective if staff are not trained to use it consistently.”

Argument - Presenting a clear viewpoint with evidence - “Person-centred care is essential, particularly in dementia settings, where routine often supports patient well-being.”

Referencing - Supporting your ideas with evidence - “According to NICE (2021), early intervention in sepsis reduces mortality.”

🧱 Structure: The PEEL Paragraph

A helpful structure for critical writing is PEEL:

• Point – State your argument or idea

• Evidence – Support it with a reference or example

• Explanation – Explain how the evidence supports your point

• Link – Connect to the question, next idea, or practice

✏️ Example

"Effective communication is essential in multidisciplinary teams (P). According to the Royal College of Nursing (2022), clear communication reduces handover errors and improves patient safety (E). This is particularly important in high-pressure environments like A&E, where rapid decision-making is required (E). Therefore, communication tools such as SBAR can support consistency and clarity in clinical handovers (L)."

💡 Tips to Develop Critical Writing

1. Avoid describing without analysing

❌ "The patient was admitted with a fall."
✅ "The patient was admitted following a fall, which may have been linked to polypharmacy—a known risk factor in older adults (Drennan et al., 2020)."

2. Use critical verbs

Try: analyse, evaluate, explore, compare, justify, contrast, reflect
Avoid: believe, think, feel (unless in a personal reflection with academic backing)

3. Use evidence wisely

Don’t just insert quotes - explain their relevance. And always choose peer-reviewed, up-to-date sources.

4. Link theory to practice

This is essential in nursing assignments. Show how classroom knowledge connects with what you've observed on placement.

5. Use reflection models (where relevant)

For reflective writing, use frameworks like Gibbs (1988) or Rolfe et al. (2001) to guide critical thinking.

🔄 Critical vs Descriptive Writing: Side-by-Side

Descriptive - Critical

“The nurse gave the patient oxygen.” - “Oxygen was administered in line with trust guidelines for hypoxia. However, overuse can risk hypercapnia in COPD patients (British Thoracic Society, 2020).”

“I felt nervous during the handover.” - “I initially felt nervous due to limited experience. However, with support, I learned how structured communication tools like SBAR reduce anxiety by providing a clear framework.”

🧑‍⚕️ For Your Assignments

• Always start with the essay question - highlight the keywords (e.g. "analyse", "evaluate", "discuss")

• Use a clear introduction, main body, and conclusion

• Back every claim with referenced evidence

• Link every point to nursing practice or patient outcomes

🧠 Top tip: In feedback, tutors often write “more analysis needed”. Go back and ask yourself: Have I explained why this matters? Have I shown understanding, not just facts?

🧠 In Summary

Critical writing isn’t just for essays - it’s how you show the transition from student to thinking professional. Practice by analysing your own experiences, questioning what you read, and always linking back to the “why” behind your actions. It takes time, but with the right tools, you’ll get there.

📚 References

• Nursing and Midwifery Council (2018). Standards of proficiency for registered nurses.

• Cottrell, S. (2017). Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis and Argument (3rd ed). Palgrave.

• Royal College of Nursing (2022). How to write reflectively.

• British Thoracic Society (2020). Guideline for oxygen use in adults in healthcare and emergency settings.

• Drennan, J. et al. (2020). Polypharmacy and risk of falls in older adults: A systematic review. BMC Geriatrics.

✅ Bonus: Critical Writing Checklist (for assignments)

Use this quick checklist before submitting your next assignment:

• Have I answered the question directly?

• Did I use PEEL paragraphs?

• Is every claim supported by evidence or references?

• Have I explained the relevance of each point?

• Did I evaluate strengths and weaknesses of evidence?

• Have I used critical verbs (e.g. analyse, justify, evaluate)?

• Have I linked ideas back to nursing practice or outcomes?

• Is my writing balanced and not just opinion?

• Did I proofread for clarity, grammar, and flow?