Understanding the process of grieving and loss: A critical social thinking perspective

Abstract

Critical social thinking is an effective approach to exploring the process of grieving and loss from an individual's lived experience and challenges the nurse to look beyond the obvious to potential oppressive forces, such as the social, political, or economic circumstances affecting the individual. The critical thinking perspective includes four basic concepts: identifying assumptions; checking the accuracy and validity of these assumptions; considering alternative perspectives; and taking informed actions. The process of grieving and loss is influenced by factors beyond the obvious issues identified by the nursing process. This article explores some of the dimensions of grieving and loss as they relate to the conceptual framework of critical social thinking and the nursing process.