Critical thinking and computer-assisted instruction.

CAI patient care simulations provide an opportunity for students to make clinical decisions without the anxiety experienced in a clinical setting or the risk of harm to clients. The investigators used CAI for one semester with 26 third year students as an adjunct to a clinical course in a baccalaureate nursing program. Student attitude and critical thinking skills were measured using the Allen's Attitude Toward Computer-Assisted Instructional Scale and the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Form A, respectively.