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Benner's theory of nursing
Benner's theory and nursing education
Benner's theory of nursing
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According to Alligood (2014), Benner’s concept explains how nurses develop skills through experience over time while having a sound educational base. Benner emphasizes that experience is a prerequisite for becoming an expert. To do so, nurses pass through 5 levels of development: novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient, and expert. Each level builds on the previous one (Alligood, 2014).
A situation I recall when I was a novice nurse was when I had just graduated from university and took a job working on a surgical unit. I had a patient that had cardiac surgery and was unstable. At this time I was focusing on mastering the technical aspects of care. I knew that I must do vital signs every 15 minutes, assess cardiac rhythm, titrate
the intravenous drips in order to keep the blood pressure within a certain range, auscultate the patient’s lungs, check the patient’s chest tubes routinely, and record input and output. As Benner explains, I did not have any background experience of the situation and I needed rules to guide my performance (Alligood, 2014). As I gained more experience, I found that I did not need to be caught up in the details in order to complete the same tasks. Through clinical expertise, I was able to integrate my knowledge of cardiovascular pathophysiology to assess symptoms and guide patient care. I would assess the temperature of the skin, notice if the patient was harder to arouse, recognize that the pulse oximeter shows a decrease in arterial oxygen saturation, and notice an irregular heart rhythm in the cardiac monitor. As an expert nurse, I was able to integrate this information and determine that the irregularity is new onset atrial fibrillation and that the cardiac output has probably dropped as a result. As the expert nurse, I knew to watch for emboli, maintain blood pressure by adjusting intravenous medications, monitor for other signs and symptoms of reduced cardiac output, and inform the physician about the patient’s change in status. According to Benner’s model, by no longer relying on rules and guidelines to connect an understanding of the situation to an appropriate action I have achieved being an expert performer (Alligood, 2014). I was able to have an intuitive grasp of the situation and identify the problem without losing time considering alternative diagnoses (Alligood, 2014).
The skills acquisition concept poses a backwards movement in progress. The competent nurse in this case steps backward down the ladder to the novice level as an NP. Moreover, learning new skills, knowledge, and methods of treatment may technically be a step forward in a person’s career, but it is a step backwards in confidence and experience. The transition theory suggests transition as a never-ending process. The success of this course depends on a person’s support system and methods for coping. The transition theory has three stages: moving in, moving through and moving out. The moving in stage would be entering graduate education. Moving through is the process of completing classes and clinical time. The final stage, moving out, is beginning the first position as an NP. Successfully transitioning through these stages is heavily reliant on support, self-awareness and coping mechanisms. For instance, failure to begin the transition phase in graduate school is a prediction of the inability to properly shift into the role of NP (Poronsky,
As a medical / surgical RN, I provided care for the elderly, the infirm, the mentally challenged, the young, and the psychologically disturbed. The wide variety of patients exposed me to the effects of life style choices, health care choices, and the resulting impacts to the patient as well as to the family of the patient. This experience has fully matured my view of the awesome responsibility that we, as health care professionals, have been charged with, and it has furthered my desire to obtain the skills necessary to provide more advanced care for my patients. In addition to exposure, maturity and experience, my career as a medical / surgical RN has also sharpened my critical thinking abilities and provided insight on observing signs and symptoms that a patient may be unware of. Furthermore, as a charge nurse I learned the importance of collaborating with other health care professionals in order to provide the highest level of care available. In summary, my career as an RN has provided valuable experience, maturity, exposure to impact and outcome, enhanced my critical thinking abilities, and improved my collaboration
Learning these skills will also prepare the student nurses in future to delegate tasks when they qualify and become RN’s. In relation to my nursing practice, when I become a registered nurse, I will assist student nurses in their career by delegating tasks to them that are within their level of competence, as well as making sure that all tasks assigned to them are duly supervised and follow up on the delegated task. I will encourage them to seek clarification where necessary. Providing feedback and praising them for work well done is another thing I would bring into my practice. I will equally inform them through feedback of any task which did not work well and show them areas where they need to improve upon.
Gobet, F., & Chassy, P. (2008) regarding Benner's theory “is simple, and, at least as a first approximation, captures some aspects of experts’ development fairly well, in particular the progression from slow and hesitant to fast and fluid problem solving behaviour. It provides important insights on the complex interaction between nursing theory and practice. In addition, the role of emotions is emphasized, which is rarely the case in expertise research. From an educational point of view, the emphasis on learning in context counterbalances the habitual focus on theoretical instruction (English, 1993). Finally, it is worth mentioning that Benner (1984), while mostly using interpretive
"Registered nurses have a variety of tasks to take care of daily. RNs keep records, administer medication, consult with other healthcare providers, monitor patients and educate individuals and family. RNs must also stay up to date with new technology." (Rasmussen College). These abilities help nurses provide the best patient care and support for their families and the best support to doctors and other healthcare specialists involved in the care of the patients. RN responsibilities are different depending on what you know or were taught but often include patient care, advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), acute care, case management, and treatment planning. Besides medical skills that can be learned through a nursing program, nurses must also have a blend of known taught skills such as active listening, critical thinking, social skills, and decision making skills are all very important for nurses. "Registered nurses have numerous job duties that put them in the forefront of the medical field. They not only provide patient care but also help educate patients and their families about health care and specific situations." (Nurse Journal Social Community for Nurses Worldwide). Registered nurses help tremendously for their workplace and also they do not just work at a hospital setting. Common duties handled by an RN include administering medication or
Nursing is a profession that has always been in sight for me since I was four years-old and I fractured my elbow. I was playing with one of my friends who was also my neighbor. We were playing with a big pink, round, rubber ball. I remember thinking that it would be amusing to try and hug the ball and roll on the ground. Of course since I was only four at the time, I did not think to check my surroundings to make sure that it was a safe environment to be doing such an act. Once I finished my roll I slammed my elbow on a rock that was peeking through the top of the grass. I immediately shrieked out in pain and then had to go to the hospital. Throughout the whole experience I only remember one part of the hospital, the nurse. From the moment that she starting taking care of me in my room, when I was getting casted, to my discharge from the hospital she did nothing but provide high quality care while also making sure that I felt comfortable and relaxed the whole time. At that moment I told my mother that I wanted to be a nurse and that nothing else was going to persuade my decision.
Nursing encompasses several levels of education and licensure. For decades the differentiation between these levels has been debated, primarily between the differentiation of the Associates degree in Nursing (ADN) and the Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing (BSN). The associate’s degree, which began with the intention of creating a technical nurse, has developed into being “equivalent” to a bachelors degree (Hess, 1996). The two degrees however are not equivalent, the bachelors educated nurse receives two years education beyond the associate, in the liberal arts and upper division nursing courses
...es mentioned above provide the skills and proficiencies of a novice nurse educator. In my journey as an educator, I feel that developing complete competencies in all areas is a life long process, and I will work to substantiate excellence in these competencies.
A Registered Nurse typically tends to work in a clean and healthy work environment (“Registered Nurses” Campus para. 11). In this career a nurse will have duties such as: recording vital signs, monitors the patient, will have discussions about the patient with physicians, and evaluate test results (“Registered Nurse” para. 3). An RN deals with problems that people have with their health, and keeps track of their patients medical records; however, it is a requirement to have a nursing license (“Registered Nurse” para. 1). Registered Nurses must know certain health issues, certain parts of the body, know a certain group of nurses, and a certain place of work (“Registered Nurses” U.S. para. 11). One important quality to be an RN is to have compassion and to actually care about the patients (“Registered Nurses” U.S. para. 45). Another important quality is to have critical thinking skills, and to be able to remember the changes in the patients health (“Registered Nurses” U.S. para. 44). Commonly registered nurses need to have good speaking skills so they can talk to the patients and figure out ...
Nurses need a seat at the table to ensure they have a voice to influence and shape their future. Nursing is constantly evolving and changing, and employers continue to raise the bar for nursing. Nurses understand early in their career the importance of continuing education to enhance future career opportunities. Professional development relates to how nurses continue to broaden their knowledge, skills, and expertise throughout their career, therefore enhancing their professional practice. This advanced knowledge is not only career boosting, but also opens a seat at the table giving nurses the power to make decisions and effect changes. Professional development and continuing education are more important to nurses now than ever before to keep up with the rapid changes in healthcare today. Numminen, Leino-Kilpi, Isoaho and Meretoja’s (2017) article contends professional development enhances personal satisfaction, rejuvenates the love of nursing, builds confidence and credibility. There are many avenues to pursue
In her theory, nursing skills and experiences are what is required to become an expert. Each step a nurse takes to build up their skills to master the expert level is built upon the previous steps. The nurse needs to have a good foundation in order to move them closer to obtaining the expert level. Benner’s theory also showed that practicing nurses can and should form theory (Current Nursing, 2013). Benner’s theory has five levels: the novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient and expert. The novice needs to be told what to do. Advanced beginner can recognize components that reoccur. A competent nurse is one that has had two-three years in the same type of situations. The proficient nurse starts to look at the whole picture and starts to critically think. The expert nurse does not need to look at the guidelines to react. An expert nurse has had many similar situations that, he or she can reflect upon a situation, analyze it and react quickly. Benner’s theory will be applied by discussing the problem,. a strategy to solve the problem,. discussion around the strategy and problem,. and finally the conclusion,. which will state what new knowledge was gathered by the
Patricia Benner was born in 1942 in Hampton, Virginia. However, she received her education in California. Patricia Benner has had a tremendous impact in nursing with her numerous contributions. She is a very successful and accomplished nurse. She has earned several degrees, served as a member on numerous committees, published several works, has been involved in several writings and research projects and has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards.
The nursing process is one of the most fundamental yet crucial aspects of the nursing profession. It guides patient care in a manner that creates an effective, safe, and health promoting process. The purpose and focus of this assessment paper is to detail the core aspects of the nursing process and creating nursing diagnoses for patients in a formal paper. The nursing process allows nurses to identify a patient’s health status, their current health problems, and also identify any potential health risks the patient may have. The nursing process is a broad assessment tool that can be applied to every patient but results in an individualized care plan tailored to the most important needs of the patient. The nurse can then implement this outcome oriented care plan and then evaluate and modify it to fit the patient’s progress (Taylor, C. R., Lillis, C., LeMone, P., & Lynn, P., 2011). The nursing process prioritizes care, creates safety checks so that essential assessments are not missing, and creates an organized routine, allowing nurses to be both efficient and responsible.
Certainly, I began with the goal getting of his vital sign and giving him a bed bath. Fortunately I had practice how to take a vital sign and giving a bed bath before my first clinical at the university skill lab and I had developed this confidence before my clinical tour. That day will be mastering the skill which I had just learned in manikins, and applying in real human with huge safety precaution. In between morning my instructor was giving me a brief before I getting to the patients room. From her experience she knew what kind of challenges and a patient behavior can be I face. As I proceeded to my own patient, I hit a roadblock that would give me a flat tire for the rest of the shift.
Due to working with people around in the university Colorado hospital, I believe I am equipped, ready, and determined to dedicate my life to this high level of responsibility. The leadership opportunities allowed me to develop and practice certain characteristics required for nursing. In the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit it has trained me to overcome emotional discouragement, be patient, be attentive to others’ needs before my own, be available for others, build and maintain relationships, organize events, and manage my time under a busy schedule. Moreover, knowing the competitiveness and rigor of nursing school, it has motivated me to maintain disciplined study habits to precede my goal to become a nurse. While working in the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit for two years, my experience at this hospital became the most rewarding and enjoyable. The level of complexity and the demand of taking care of the patients in the hospital contributed to my strong passion and urgency to continue to grow my knowledge and help patients. I am fortunate enough to say that all my hardships, triumphs, and various experiences have contributed to my desire and determination to meet the demands of the nursing