The Role of Intuition in Nursing Care and Its Role in the Clinical Decision-Making Process

The aim of this review is to examine the theoretical foundations of the concept of intuition in nursing care, to define its role in the clinical decision-making process, and to evaluate the relationship between professional expertise development and intuition in light of the literature. The nursing discipline is a dynamic process that requires rapid decision-making in complex and uncertain clinical situations, in addition to evidence-based practices. In this study, intuition is approached not as a feeling lacking scientific basis, but as an unconscious and rapid cognitive processing mechanism formed by the synthesis of the nurse's past experiences, theoretical knowledge, and clinical observations. The article emphasises that analytical decision-making processes can be inadequate, particularly in situations involving time pressure and life-threatening risks, and that intuitive approaches come into play as a complementary force at this point. Furthermore, with reference to the models of Benner (1984) and Dreyfus and Dreyfus (1980), it is discussed that as the level of expertise in nursing increases, the reliability and accuracy of intuitive decisions also increase. Intuition is a dynamic part of the clinical decision-making mechanism in the nursing profession. Integrating intuitive knowledge with analytical processes contributes to improving the quality of patient care and the early detection of potential risks.