Characteristics and processes of nurses' clinical reasoning and factors reported to relate to its use in practice: a scoping review.

The scoping review identified characteristics and processes of clinical reasoning as well as factors reported to relate to clinical reasoning in all studies. The concepts that comprise the clinical reasoning of registered nurses in clinical practice must be considered in undergraduate registered nurse education. Registered nurses must complete their baccalaureate program with well-developed clinical reasoning to ensure safe clinical practice. Understanding the characteristics and processes of clinical reasoning of registered nurses in clinical practice, and the factors reported to relate to clinical reasoning, supports the creation of targeted resources for development and assessment of clinical reasoning.