Name two critical thinking dispositions important for new nurses.

• A. Passive acceptance and skepticism.
• B. Impatience and rigidity.
• C. Open-mindedness and perseverance.
• D. Indifference and timidity.

Answer: (C)

Two important dispositions for new nurses are open-mindedness and perseverance. Open-mindedness means being willing to consider different explanations, listen to patients and colleagues, and adjust your judgments when new evidence emerges. This helps you avoid snap conclusions and supports safe, patient-centered care. Perseverance keeps you engaged through the whole process—assessment, planning, and evaluation—so you continue seeking information, clarifying unclear data, and advocating for the patient until a solid solution is found. The other options show attitudes that hinder thoughtful practice: passive acceptance with skepticism can block inquiry, impatience and rigidity limit exploring alternatives, and indifference and timidity undermine confidence and advocacy.