What constitutes the knowledge base of the discipline of nursing? What do nurses draw upon to guide your practice? The knowledge base for the discipline of nursing is drawn from nursing theories. Nurses use these theories serve as the foundation from which nurses use to guide, describe, predict, generate further knowledge to help understand what they need to develop or improve in the future (Smith & Parker, 2015). Research is then conducted to validate the theories.
“Theory-based nursing practice has demonstrated a capacity to structure professional care, unify and simplify communication, save time, clarify decision-making, and reduce nurse staff turnover saving thousands of dollars” (Alligood, 2011, p. 982). Although theory is present in my workplace, it is rarely discussed. This is a shame because it is apparent that theory is essential to the nursing profession and should be at the forefront. Nursing theory helps define and verify
A1. The nursing profession has evolved significantly over the decades. One of the factors that have greatly influenced these changes has been the involvement of nurses in the development of theories and data base needed to support the advancement of our profession. In the last half of the twentieth century, nurse researchers (1950s) and nurse theorists (1960s and 1970s) greatly contributed to the expanding body of nursing knowledge with their studies of nursing practice and the development of nursing models and theories (American Nurses Association, 2010, p. 16). Like in any other research activity, a special set of
The Foundation of knowledge model is a model that explains how nurses learn and grow. It consists of four components which are Knowledge acquisition, Knowledge generating, Knowledge processing and Knowledge Dissemination. Nurses utilize all of this daily in their various functional roles .Novice nurses mainly use knowledge acquisition with the help of their instructors, preceptors and mentors to process, generate and disseminate, but as they become expert clinicians, providers and practitioners, will continue to refine these processes and evolve continually.
However, knowledge is an ongoing collection of information and a continual refinement of skills gained through practical experience. Dalton, Campbell, & Bull (2017) states that in nursing education, practice and policy inform knowledge (pg. 1). Through the foundation of knowledge accumulated in formal education, the nurse is able to build a framework for their client’s care. Nurses are continually learning through client interactions and if they apply critical thinking, nurses enable themselves to better solve difficult client encounters. Knowledge in the healthcare system continues to evolve through technology and nurses should welcome new methods and forms to their clinical practice.
designed to guide the practice of nursing” (Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing, 2012). Nursing theories can help patients, managers and other healthcare professionals to recognize what and how much that nurses do contribute to the healthcare field. I never did realize how important theories in nursing practice could be until I became a nursing student myself. Nurses use theories in their everyday practice, but never think about them as being
As a future nurse it is very important to identify areas of knowledge that are strong and areas that could use further development (CRNBC, 2011). This provides the opportunity to improve confidence and collaborative capacities within nursing practice (Hatrick Doane & Varcoe, 2014b). The purpose of this paper is to use scholarly literature, practice experiences, and class concepts of Nursing 341, to gain better understanding of my current knower status. Specifically, it will provide a written summary and analysis of observations relating to myself as a knower. Also, the paper will consider the four areas of nursing inquiry observing them through differing levels of perspective. Finally, it will include a concrete plan addressing my knowledge development needs with specific goals for this term.
Nursing theories form the supportive framework on which our patient care relies on (Alejandro, 2017). It is not only the foundation of the nursing discipline but, it defines of we practice. If nurses lack that foundation, new knowledge development within nursing will decline. They are very important for Masters and advanced practice nursing students who are preparing to
Theory has so far remained a strategic tool in advanced nursing practice. Firstly, nursing utilizes every feature of management science. Fortunately, the knowledge base of each and every management science takes theory into account. Theory includes methods, principles, and concepts. The principles are usually related, and can be observed and validated or verified when translated into the practice of management. Likewise, concepts are general notions, thoughts, and ideas that tend to form a basis of discussion or action. Therefore, theoretical principles guide clinical nurses to various
The credibility of a profession is based upon its ability to create and apply theory. Nursing as a whole has not been at the forefront of theoretical research being much more practical or hands-on in nature. Unless nurses increase the value placed on research and the body of knowledge that establishes the legitimacy of their practice then nursing will remain in a subordinate position in the medical environment. Theorists anticipated that by conceptualizing models of nursing, practitioners would be able to become more autonomous in their clinical settings while increasing the visibility and authority of nursing as a discipline. It
The profession of nursing has, in recent years, been trying to further develop, test and use proposed nursing theory. To utilize theory appropriately, in all domains of practice, education and research, it is important to know how to describe, analyze and evaluate
Nursing is a unique profession which is built upon theories that guide everyday nursing practice. According to Taylor, Lillis, & Lynn (2015), “Nursing theory differentiates nursing from other disciplines and activities in that it serves the purposes of describing, explaining, predicting, and controlling desired outcomes of nursing care practices” (p. 27). Many nurses may unknowingly apply a theory or a combination thereof, along with critical thinking to get the best outcome for a patient. Theories are used in practice today because they have been supported by research and help the profession uphold its boundaries. Most nursing theories consist of four concepts which are the patient, the environment, health, and nursing. Each patient is at the center of focus and they have the right to determine what care will be given to them using informed
For centuries the development of nursing knowledge has been influenced by numerous theorists and their respective theories. These theories have influenced, and continue to influence, nursing education, practice and research. (Johnson & Webber, 2005)
The purpose of the nursing theories is to provide an interrelating framework focusing on the nursing practice. The defined nursing theories promote better patient care, improve the status of nursing profession, and improve the communication between the nurses, and provide guidance to the researches and education (Keefe, 2011). Not all nursing theories have the same meanings; however, they play the important role of explaining the key concepts and principles of nursing practice in understanding way.
There are many different nursing theories that are significant to nursing practice, because they help nurses to examine what is already known, and what additional knowledge and skills are required in variety of nursing situations. They provide basis for nursing practice, as well as some additional tools, that help with delivery of better care to patients and caregivers. Finally, nursing theories improve professional status for nurses and provide guidance and direction for research and education (Colley, 2003).
Throughout the history of nursing knowledge development, the discipline has struggled to attain an understanding of the “complexities of the nature of nursing while strengthening the philosophical grounding for inquiry and further development” (Rodgers, 2005, p. 173). Rodgers believes that the question asked and the method used defines the applicability of research to nursing knowledge development. While Rodgers’ problem-solving method supports research that applies to clinical practice, it also emphasizes the need for research that contributes to the body of knowledge of the discipline separate from activities (p. 175).