Nursing Theories

Nursing theories that incorporate the theoretical framework from non-nursing disciplines are known as borrowed theories. According to McEwen and Wills (2014), “borrowed theories or practice theories can readily be used to describe and explain phenomena that affect nursing and concluded that to limit nurses to using only nursing theories in nursing research is shortsighted” (p. 444). Borrowed theories can be derived from physiology, psychology, sociology, and education disciplines. Electrosurgical and laser surgeries have created a problem within the operating room related to surgical smoke. Lewin’s Change Theory is a borrowed theory that stems from a psychological discipline and can be used to help with the given problem.

Nursing theories have been a fundamental tool used to explain, guide and improve the practice of nursing. Theorists have contributed enormously to the growth of nursing as a profession. The four grand theorists I chose are Virginia Henderson, Peplau, Myra Levine and Jean Watson. These theorists have contributed tremendously in the field of nursing through their theories, and research. One thing the theorists have in common is that they are patient centered. They are all concerned on ways we can improve our responsibility to the patients, their families and the environment. They have different ideas but they are all aiming towards achieving the same goal, which is patient satisfaction and safety. Their differences are in their areas of

The nursing profession entails core values and commonalities that link those in the profession. A comprehensive study of the literature identifies key components of the profession as the provision of technical care, defending the vulnerable, taking care of the ill, as well as establishing systems for the delivery of care. Different models have been developed which describes and guides the nursing profession. The two nursing theories: the Theory of Nursing as Caring by Boykin and Schoenhofer and the Transition Theory of Afaf Ibrahim Meleis are constructive theories and serviceable in the nursing field. This paper gives an analysis of two nursing theories, comparing and contrasting their values.

| For nursing practice our goal is to help to promote health for the whole patient. We must remember that our goal is to get them back to a level where they are functional in the environment. Not all patient will get to the point that they are free from disease but we must help them get back to the level in which they can care for themselves and be as sound as possible for them. Our practice would involve teaching in this aspect in order to help the patient maximize the health that they either have or to help them reach the level that they want to achieve.

Theorist Hildegard Peplau set the foundational elements for newly graduated students to introduce the importance of patient/nurse relationships into their practice (Peplau 1991). Peplau’s book is mainly directed toward psychiatric patients, but improving interpersonal skills with patients from all disciplines will create a caring, informative environments for individualized care plans (D’Antionio, Beeber, Sills, & Naegle, 2014). Also,

Person can refer to the patient himself or herself. In the metaparadigm of nursing, person refers to more than just the patient, but also the family members, friends, relatives, and caregivers from the home setting. The nurse’s goal when caring for the patient is to nurture and empower the patient to manage their own health. Dorthea Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory (SCDNT) supports this idea of empowering the person of the metaparadigm concept. Orem states that if the person is unable to take care of themselves then others must provide the care (Alligood, 2014). Orem states that individuals are subject to the forces of nature and her theory of self-care deficit states that

When I become a professional nurse, I will show compassion so I am able to provide effective care to patients who are undergoing physical pain and emotional stress. I must remain cool, calm and collected, even under hectic emergency conditions, so I can perform complex tasks correctly. I must have good communication skills so I can listen carefully to patient concerns and doctor instructions, and convey information to both medical professionals and non-medical staff in a discreet manner. I must also have the ability to think critically so I can assess changes in an individual’s health that prove significant. Finally, I must be well organized so they can juggle the needs of several patients at the same

Compassion, Dedication, Responsibility, Empathy these are just some of the many things nurses should have when caring for a patient. I have had the opportunity to provide service at St. Elizabeth’s hospital. I worked with St. Elizabeth Hospital Patient Portal Program; I would go from room to room and ask each patient if he/she would like to set up their patient portal where they have the option to see their test results and all their medical history on an online database. Many thought this was an excellent idea. You would enter a patients room and see that their not in the best condition. Going in a patient’s room can be scary at times however, going into a situation confident that you maybe unsure about is the best thing you can do. After

Nursing theories are important for nurses for our daily work as it provides us with an all-inclusive foundation to clarify and foresee issues that impact nursing care. In nursing, caring should be placed high on our priority list for our nursing practice. As nurses we must develop knowledge on research outcomes for the foundation of nursing practice. Consequently the grown and the certification of nursing theory will aid in the establishment of nursing practice. It is a source of specific individuality as it guides nursing education, research, practice, and distinguishes nursing practice from other disciplines.

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

Nurses may play different roles in the field, but their responsibilities are all very similar. Nurses must be confident in everything they do and be patient with people. They should have strong listening

Working well with people is an important factor in the nursing career; a nurse must always be respectful to every patient regardless of the situation. Persuasion sometimes has to be used because a patient may not want a certain medication so a nurse must help the person understand that it is what is best for him or her health and their track to recovery. A nurse must always pay close attention to their patients because if problems or concerns come up, a nurse must be the first to notice it.

It takes a combination of theories to make healthcare organizations function at a quality standard. Providing the patients with the best care possible is always the goal for any healthcare organization. It takes, not only the nurses, but all the staff of the organization to achieve this goal. Non-nursing theories exist to help guide all staff and provide an optimal work environment to allow quality care to be given to the patient. In this paper, some non-nursing theories will be examined and the importance of each one will be ranked according to this nurse.

As a nurse it is their responsibility to provide total patient care to each and every patient that they are caring for. Part of providing total patient care to these patients lies the responsibility of teaching and education. Through effective teaching and education, patients can be made aware of their diagnosis, administering medications and complying with their regimen, severe side effects to watch for, strict diets, exercise, different treatment options, and whatever else is necessary for the patients’ well-being.

PART 1 What is nursing theory? How does nursing theory differ from theories of other disciplines? How does nursing theory relate to nursing practice?