Nursing Theory Essay

The caring, supportive, sympathetic features of nursing, is immeasurable. Theories are essential to have. They provide a description of what nurses do and give meaning and purpose. When nursing theories are developed this new knowledge can greatly impact the future of nursing practice (McCrae, 2012).

Nursing as a profession is based on concrete (scientific, philosophical, behavioral, social, and humanities among others), concepts and theories by past and current nursing theorists. These theorists have helped shape the profession from 19th century till date. New theories are emerging due to advance in health care, as off-shoot of previous theories and also as addition to suit present day application.

This model considers nursing as a self-care model based on the patient's perception of the world, as well as his or her adaptation to stressors (Erickson & Swain, 1982). This practice focus in nursing and its principles characterized by the treatment of the person as a whole, which taking in account mental, and social factors, rather than just the physical symptoms of a disease. Therefore, exemplifies theory-based nursing practice that focuses on the patient's

In each theory, the common thread in the definition of “nursing” is the interaction between the nurse and the patient with the intent to “do” something. The goal of that interaction may differ but nurses have to communicate and interact with their patients in order to have nursing. Each theory identifies “environment” differently; one as the “position of influence” ("enthronement," n.d.) and the other as the internal energy and external background. Each theory, again, has a different outlook on the meaning of “health” but each identifies that “health” is determined by the patient and is affected by not only the mechanical process of life but also the psychological, internal workings of the mind. Finally, a “person” by definition of both theories is the individual who has some type of health limitation requiring assistance from an outside party, the nurse, in-order to resolve that identified limitation. By knowing these similarities and differences, the nurse can identify how each theory can be used in the clinical

Nursing theories provide a foundation for nurses to professionally base their judgment of care. Florence Nightingale was one of the first nursing theorists. Theories composed by Nightingale were comprised of practice-based theories and environmental theories. Nightingale’s environmental theory is composed of 13 cannons which are fundamental to her theory. Nightingale’s theories continue to be used by present day nurses and nursing students. Theories are incorporated into nursing students’ education to influence students’ decisions regarding patients’ health. Nursing theories remain an important foundation for both nurses and nursing students.

Today, nurses are not only direct healthcare provider but also, they are healthcare organization leaders and policy makers as such it is impossible to achieve a greater role without consideration of nursing theory that provide professional foundation that is necessary for growth, excellence, and survival (Gonzalez, 2008). As any other discipline, nursing should be practiced on grand and solid central theory scientifically and systematically developed based on previous utilization of knowledge and skills. However, nursing theory is not an end but rather a means to an end. Therefore, it is an ongoing process that is always open for improvement and refinement. In today's world of evidence-based practice, nursing theory is not static but a dynamic.

Furthermore, nursing care when based on nursing values and knowledge are that is central to the concept of health, example: caring, consciousness mutual process, patterning, presence and meaning, enables to express the depth of the nursing mission. If nursing is practices from these nursing perspective it will continue to its esoteric expertise service to the society ( Willes,

In the history of nursing many theories have been developed and applied to nursing practice. After selecting a patient, I have assessed her demographics, health status, and health needs. Also, I have selected two theories to address these needs and have summarized their main concepts. Finally, I have discussed my patient and theories choices.

A theoretical framework is helpful when conducting a study to increase the theoretical ideas and it demonstrates a part of reality that helps make sense of a difficult phenomena. Theory offers a better understating to nursing care in particular situations and provides a different lens for seeing a problem, permitting it to be studied from different perspectives for the complete understanding of all aspects (Connelly, 2014). According to Fitzpatrick&McCarthy (2014), nursing knowledge has developed from general theoretical propositional statements to precisely testable hypotheses. Applying a nursing theory is an important aspect of conducting a study and support to this recognition of nursing excellence. One nursing theorist I incorporated to

Nursing is a practice or field that must be based on nursing theories, which contributes to the consideration of nursing discipline as a profession. The significance of nursing theories in the practice is attributed to their provision of direction and guidance for arranging professional nursing education, research, and practice. Nursing theories also distinguishes the focus of this discipline from other professions since they provide directions regarding evaluation, assessment, and intervention of nursing care. Nursing theories also provide the basis for gathering reliable and valid data about clients’ health status that is crucial for effective decision making and implementation. Notably, these theories are based on certain concepts that are essential for guiding nursing practice. While nursing theorists have developed different theories and models, these theories or models are based on some common core concepts.

Prior to this course, this author had only one class during her baccalaureate degree program, which made the author think that nursing theory was confusing and unimportant in nursing practice. With the completion of this course the writer is now more aware that nursing theory is vital to nursing practice. Having completed the course, this author believes that she now has a better understanding of nursing theory. This author is now aware of the use of nursing theories in solving problems and giving the patient the quality care that he or she needs.

In today’s world there are many nursing theories and theorists that not only define the nursing profession, but also are used as the basis to guide a nurse in his or her current practice. Meleis defines nursing theory “as a conceptualization of some aspect of nursing reality communicated for the purpose of describing phenomena, explaining relationships between phenomena, predicting consequences or prescribing nursing care. Nursing theories are reservoirs in which are stored those findings that are related to nursing concepts such as comfort, healing, recovering, mobility, rest, caring, enabling, fatigue, and family care”(Meleis, 2012). Meleis describes that the term

A nursing theory provides a view or window into the reality of nursing (CCN, 2015). Nursing theories are basic concepts that define nursing practice and provide the explanation to why nurses do what they do. I have given no thought to the use of nursing theory until taking this nursing class and this assignment is proving very difficult to follow. I have utilized nursing theory in my everyday work of nursing. A nurse will use multiple nursing theories during the scope of their day. These theories guide how nurses treat their patients, how tasks are performed and assessments or interventions are carried out. Critical

The nursing profession is considered as one of the most essential compliment to the continuity of a human life. This is closely accredited to the impact the profession it has towards health. There are several aspects that nursing practitioners include in their practicing the profession that led to the development of theoretical aspects of nursing. The most crucial aspects that correlated to the recipients led to the invention of a system of nursing theories. These theories are categorized to grand, mid-range and nursing practice theories. The Orlando nursing theory is among the stipulated grand theories that majors on the relation of the nurses and the patients. In addition, the theory instigates three major aspects of patient behavior, nurse reactions and actions.

By definition, a nursing theory is “a set of concepts, definitions, relationships, and assumptions or propositions derived from nursing models or from other disciplines and project a purposive, systematic view of phenomena by designing specific inter-relationships among concepts” (Mutha, 2012). To be considered a nursing theory, there must be four components, which include the patient, the environment, health, and nursing. The environmental factors need to be included to ensure the patient and the living environment is comfortable. The health component of a nursing theory is concerning the health of the patient, which should be included in every theory. Additionally, nursing needs to be a part of every nursing theory to show the role that nurses play. Lastly, and the most important of the four, and the main focus of nursing and nursing theories, is the patient.