Aim: To evaluate the use of Concept Maps as an educational intervention in the development of Critical Thinking abilities during Practice Learning Placements over the course of one year with one cohort of final year pre-registration nursing students. The Research Hypothesis: The research hypothesis is that a positive relationship will be demonstrated between the use of Concept Maps and the development of Critical Thinking abilities. Methods: A quasi-experimental non-equivalent groups design was used with one experimental and one control group of final year undergraduate student nurses on the adult branch of a BSc (Honours) nursing programme over the course of one year. Data were collected in three phases at various points identified below