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What is the importance of a nursing theory
Comparing and contrasting nursing theories
Comparing and contrasting nursing theories
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Nursing Theory and Conceptual Models: The Foundation of Nursing
Valeria Vargas
University of Texas at Arlington
Abstract
Nursing theories and conceptual models are the sole element for professional nursing practice. A nursing theory is a framework, or basic structure, in which theories are developed (Dossey & Keegan, 2013, p. 117). They are based on an existing theory or theories and allows them to be understood. Concept models are a combination of interdependent notions or ideas that described or suggest certain relationships among theories (Dossey & Keegan, 2013, p. 117). They both play a significant role in the development and advancement of our profession. Although both are related and collaborate with one another they are distinctively different in their own way.
Nursing theories and Conceptual Models
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117). To me theory, is a group of thoughts that are portrayed and interpreted differently by each individual. Nursing theories are a set of guidelines that direct our care. From these theories, we are able to generate our own ideas or variables and how they directly affect those theories. Theories are testable and are a way of seeing the factors that contribute to nursing practice and thought (Dossey & Keegan, 2013, p. 117). Nursing theories help generate new nursing knowledge, allow us to validate nursing interventions, and provide direction for structuring professional nursing practice, nursing education, and research (Im, 2015, p.2268). They help facilitate individual patient care and help improve the health and quality of our patients by providing optimal care based on evidence based
Health care organizations and the way patient care is delivered is rapidly changing. The ability to manage, promote, and facilitate change is one of the most important skills that nursing leaders need to be successful. Influencing change requires effective communication skills, and the ability to help others see the vision (Curtis, De Vries, & Sheerin, 2011). Nursing leadership can no longer take a top down approach when leading change. During periods of organizational change there is great uncertainty. Nurse leaders are responsible for influencing change by creating an atmosphere where information is shared, there is a reshaping of ideas, and a vision is created (Samela, Eriksson, & Fagerstrom, 2011). Effective communication is an essential
The nursing profession is considered both an art and a science. An example of the science of nursing is the theory and evidence based practice guidelines (EBP), which influence a nurses practice. The art of nursing is fluid of bringing science and patient care into nursing practice. Nurses in all levels of nursing educational programs should study nursing theory. According to Eun-Ok (2015) theory evaluation has declined and it is essential to developing nursing knowledge; which, leads to the development of nursing discipline. Nursing theory should be continually evolving as current health care trends evolve. The best way to accomplish this is through incorporating theory in academia and nursing
Concepts are essential elements in theories which provide ideas for research in nursing. Concepts give knowledge that can be applied to nursing practice, education and administration. (Parker & Smith 2010). Concept analysis brings about clarity. The methods of concept analysis have the following steps. Select the concepts, determine the purpose of the anaysis, identify all uses, define attributes, a model case of the concept, consequences of the concept, and define empirical references of the concept (Walker & Avant 1995)
Theory’s responsibility is to provide nurses with standards that reinforce practice, as well as, for future nursing understanding and delivery. Basically, it provides nursing professionals with a tested way of thought on how to handle certain situations with proven results. The importance of nursing theories to nursing research is the knowledge offered gives nurses the foundation for communicating with others and best practice. Middle range theory according to McEwen & Wills (2011, p 35) are theories that have concrete concepts, that are specific, incorporate a measured number of concepts and characteristics of the real world and are tested for accuracy.
Nursing theories developed by scientists provide a framework for the process of establishing nursing as a profession with a specific body of knowledge including nursing language, and nurse is able to communicate inside in and outside of the profession. Theory supports and defines nursing practice and is used in practice situation to provide solution to the problem, provides guidelines in patient’s quality care, and helps to resolve nursing challenges. The benefits of middle-range theories found primarily in the research studies to address particular client population, in education, patient
Walker, L.O., & Avant, K.C. (2005). Strategies for theory construction in nursing. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Walker, L. O., & Avant, K. C. (1995). Strategies for theory construction in nursing (3rd ed.). Norwalk, CT:
Walker, L.O., & Avant, K. (2005). Strategies for theory construction in nursing (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
To make good nursing decisions, nurses require an internal roadmap with knowledge of nursing theories. Nursing theories, models, and frameworks play a significant role in nursing, and they are created to focus on meeting the client’s needs for nursing care. According to McEwen and Wills (2014), conceptual models and theories could create mechanisms, guide nurses to communicate better, and provide a “systematic means of collecting data to describe, explain, and predict” about nursing and its practice (p. 25). Most of the theories have some common concepts; others may differ from one theory to other. This paper will evaluate two nursing theorists’ main theories include Sister Callista Roy’s
Nursing theories are actions care that a nurse provides to a patient to prevent a sickness, maintain and promote health. Many of the theorists contribute to a frame work or a blueprint of how nurses should provide care to patients. Many these theories are part of nursing care and most of them they go hand in hand. Nursing theory aims to describe, predict and explain the phenomenon of nursing (Chinn and Jacobs1978).Nursing is apprehensive with laws and principles governing the life processes and functioning of sick or well human beings. Nursing theories are beneficial in understanding the knowledge of nursing and its application (Smith and Liehr, 2008).
Nursing theory is, “the principle that underpin practice and help to generate further nursing knowledge” (Colley, 2003, p. 33). Nursing theory is important in nursing practice. The two theorists that are relevant to my nursing practice are Florence Nightingale and Hildegard Peplau. Florence Nightingale theory was about the patient having a clean and healing environment (Smith & Park, 2015, p. 51). The theory that Hildegard Peplau created was the importance of nurse-patient relationships (Smith & Park, 2015, p. 68). Both of these theories put the patient’s safety and care first. When I am at work I try to form a healthy and healing relationship with all my patients. I also make sure the environment that they are in is conducive to healing, it is hard to do that sometime working in the emergency room. Sometimes it is the little things that a nurse can do for a patient that will make all the difference. Taking both of these theories into
Virginia Henderson's principles are discernible in her interpretation of nurses' roles in humanity. She posits that nurses are uniquely positioned to render assistance to anyone regardless of the individual's health status in the fulfillment of activities that contribute to health or its recovery or at least, afford the individual comfort at his/her final hours. That is, the activities that the individual would have performed for self-had he/she the ability. Henderson in essence, succinctly provided a remarkable definition for nursing (Black, 2014).
Nursing theories are the building blocks of education and practice in everyday patient healthcare. It is the basic concepts that explain why nurses do and provides explanations to their actions. Although many nursing theories do not ring a bell while a nurse is working, they are vital when one is looking to answer why a task is being done in a certain way. The nursing theories that are implemented today all have their roots embedded throughout history. Nursing theories came about as an explanation, reasoning or through research and practice as a way to explain and come up for procedures of healthcare.
Utilizing nursing theory can help nurses develop a more focused and individualized plan of care for their patients. By understanding the nurse’s metaparadigm and how to apply theory to each concept, nurses can develop increased insight on their patients and promote interventions that are more likely to produce a greater quality of care for the patient.
Walker, L. O. & Avant, K. C. (2011). Strategies for theory construction in nursing. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.