Nursing in itself is a very complex profession, with many different influences shaping it since its inception. These influences play a major part in defining what exactly nursing is. One of these key factors is nursing theory. Theory has many different definitions, but for the sake of this article, theory will be described as the “rigorous and systematic structuring of ideas that conveys a view of a phenomenon (Power, 2016).” In this case, that phenomenon is nursing. Theory is essential to developing a basic knowledge in nursing, and is what sets nursing apart as a professional occupation (Power, 2016). It can be very difficult to turn the practical aspect of nursing into theoretical terms, but there are many different theories out there that work together to outline the ideas that nursing revolves around (Power, 2016). One of these main theorists was Florence Nightingale, who singlehandedly brought public health to the world’s attention, through her sanitation efforts and work in wartime hospitals (Fee & Garofalo, 2010.). In this article, we will outline the components of Nightingale’s theory as well as identify how it still impacts the nursing world today.
Historical Background
Florence Nightingale was born in 1820 in Florence, Italy, to which she is named from. She came from a very wealthy and prestigious family, where her father insisted on a very extensive education, where she was rigorously schooled in mathematics, the classics, and many languages, which she became
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
nurse staffing ensures quality nursing care for patients and can be a challenge for nurse
The metaparadigm of nursing consists of four parts comprised by Jacqueline Fawcett, in 1984, in her seminal work (Alligood, 2014). The metaparadigm she developed served to provide direction and guidance for the nursing framework already in use and became an organization tool for theories already in use (Alligood, 2014). The four parts being person, health, environment, and nursing. The four components of the metaparadigm concept of nursing is important to nursing theory because they are the key areas of focus of patient care, and the metaparadigm is designed to differentiate nursing from other specialties (Alligood, 2014). It is this use of theories that makes nursing a profession and guides professional nursing practice, research, and education (Alligood, 2014).
Florence Nightingale was born in Florence, Italy. Her parents named her after the city she was born in. She was born on May 12,1980, she was raised mostly in Derbyshire England. Many people when they hear Florence Nightingale think about her as a nurse and for her fight for better hospital care. Florence did a lot more in her life than achieve better hospital conditions, and become a nurse. She was a brilliant mathematician, and used statistics to apply them to achieve her reforms. Florence was a well-educated woman in a number of fields other than math;
The theoretical basis for public and community nurses began in the nineteenth century with Florence Nightingale. Nightingale believed in the prevention and surveillance of diseases. She further believed that a disease was more prevalent in poor environments. She proved that good health was more prevalent with a good environment for instance providing adequate ventilation, clean water, warmth, light, and cleanliness during the Crimean War (Allender, Rector, & Warner, 2014).
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.
The nursing theory consists of four major concepts including person, health, environment, and nursing. According to the Fundamentals of Nursing, these four concepts “… give nurses a comprehensive perspective that allows you to identify and treat patient’s health care needs at all levels and in all health care settings.” (Potter & Perry, 2009, p. 40) Florence Nightingale’s theory was one of the first models for nursing. The focus of this theory was that nursing consists of caring through the environment and helping the patient overcome their symptoms and changes in function related to their prevailing illness. It also focuses on the manipulation on the environment for the potential benefit of the patient. Florence “… had always seen to the heart of things- that the real nurse must be a dedicated being- that
Nursing theory is vital to the nursing profession because it provides a foundation and framework which is reflected in nurses’ caring ideals and practice (William, 2015). Theory provides an understanding of a nurse’s role within the healthcare system. The first nursing theory, formed by Nightingale, was observations of interventions that improved patient outcomes (Mackey & Bassendowski, 2016). Nurses can improve quality of care by implementing theory into their practice (Mackey & Bassendowski, 2016). This paper will discuss the importance of nursing theory, Florence Nightingale’s Notes on Nursing: What It Is and What It Is Not, and the application of this theory in the nurse
On May 12, 1820 Florence Nightingale was born into a wealthy family located in Florence, Italy. In her family it was frowned upon to work outside the home, but as she grew up she often helped the poor and ill in her village. In Spring of 1844 Florence eventually came to conclusion that being a nurse was her God-given calling. Most people today would call becoming a nurse as a good goal, but back then it was the idea was considered impossible. The hospitals were a place where people avoided and it was dark and dirty. Florence wanted to change that all.
Florence Nightingale was born in 1820, May 12. Florence along with her two siblings, mother, and father resided at the family’s estate, Lea Hurst. Florence was provided an education from her father, who was a wealthy landowner. When Florence was a girl she would provide services to the ill and poor, but she knew her true calling was nursing.
“Environment is viewed as an energy field, as a universe of open systems; an event, situation, or phenomenon interacting with the
Nursing theories are the support of nursing practice today. They are significant to nursing practice, education and scientific research because they help to determine, what is already known, and what additional knowledge and skills are needed. Nurses are usually first exposed to nursing theories during nursing education and further exposure comes from hands on training. The gained knowledge, about nursing theories, through education and training enhances better outcomes for patients and caregivers, allows application of professional boundaries, and assists in decision making. In this paper I will attempt to analyze, in general, the importance of nursing theory to the nursing profession; discuss middle-range theory, furthermore Benner’s
Nursing theory is another abundantly feared, apparently forgettable part of the nursing school knowledge. Huge amounts of time and exertion is spent attempting to remember the theorists, attempting to retain what they stand for and wanting to replay it effectively in practice. And at the same time, new graduates wonder, what are they going to do with this now that they graduated? What a large portion of them truly want to know is the way to put in an intravenous catheter. All things considered, a couple of years into practice I began to understand that the work I do– the consideration I give — is all in light of my theory of what is the right fit for my area of nursing — and my theory is a long way from extraordinary.
Florence Nightingale was born on May 12th 1820. Her father, who was a wealthy and intelligent man, believed that women deserved an education. Thus, Florence Nightingale and her sister were educated in Italian, Latin, Greek, History, and Mathematics. This is quite
Florence Nightingale was born in Florence, Italy, she was named after the city of her birth. Her mother and father had her when they were vacationing in Italy. She was born on May 12, 1820. Her parents were William and Frances (also known as Fanny) Nightingale. Her father was a wealthy landowner and inherited an estate in Derbyshire, England. Her mother and father both committed themselves to the rush of active social lives. She had a sister, Frances Parthenope Verney,Florence would call her Parthe, Parthenope was also named after her birth place.