Nursing Theory in Practice

Communication is one of the basic survival skills of human and also a fundamental part of nursing. Effective communication would help to promote a positive nurse-client relationship which is crucial for the delivery of quality nursing care (Sheppard, 1993; McCabe 2003).

Nursing theories are a great framework in nursing practice and assists in the positive impact in patient care. According to Kuhrik, Laub, Kuhrik, & Atwater (2011), there are thoughts that in the future nursing will embark on some challenges especially oncology, due to the fact of an aging population among the elderly. The authors believe that the theoretical framework enhances the practice of nursing and aides in staff retention, patient satisfaction, and clinical outcomes. However, due to the need to stay abreast on current cancer treatment modalities and continued education, the daily enthusiasm needed to care for the terminally ill can often times be physically and emotionally draining. Thus, the concern for veteran nurses retaining their positions and newly graduated nurses having proper training is crucial in providing optimal patient care and providing patient safety at the same time (Kuhrik et al, p. 114). In the world of nursing, burnout is an ongoing issue that nurses face due to the physical and emotional demands they deal with on a daily basis, which causes the turnover rate to increase (Henry, 2014; Edmonds, Lockwood, Bezjak & Nyhof-Young, 2012). The use of Neuman’s System Model Theory when properly employed as it views the holistic approach to care can also address the concerns of nurse burnout, not only among oncology nurses but nursing in general. This assignment will include the following: concerns of nurse burnout in

quality of patient care, and can be implemented in practice, to provide solutions to nursing

Lecturer in Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Dublin, National University of Ireland, Dublin, Republic of Ireland

| 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.

King’s Theory of Goal Attainment was proposed in the 1960s and published in 1981. It was derived from her conceptual system which presented in 1968, and incorporates the concept of self, perception, growth, development, time, interaction, communication, role, and coping. The Theory of Goal Attainment is a practice methodology based on the nurse and patient setting goals together, and the nurse assisting the patient to meet these goals they set for their health (Caceres, 2015). These interactions between the nurse and patient are the process in which the professional relationship develops, mutual goals are set, and actions are planned to achieve these goals. It is an interaction-transaction process and is based on the nursing

In nursing profession, communication is one of the vital interprofessional collaboration competencies. A slack in communication gap will affect effective teamwork in providing efficient patient care delivery. Without integrated cooperation and effective communication, there will be a delinquency in the healthcare system, resulting in

The activities include physical and occupational therapy, nutrition counseling, and case management ("Community Health Nursing," 2013).

The role of theory in clinical nursing practice is to guide assessment, interventions, and evaluation of nursing care. Theory in nursing practice provides a rationale for collecting reliable and valid data about the health status of clients, which are essential for effective decision making and implementation. Nursing theory also serves as a guide assessment, interventions, and evaluation of nursing practice. Theories can address important questions for nursing units. Theories can be grand, middle range and practice. Grand theories provide a complex and broad scope and incorporate numerous ways of viewing concepts in nursing. Middle range nursing theories are narrower in scope and offer an effective bridge between grand nursing theories and nursing practice.

Communication is important in terms of health and social care setting. The patient and the healthcare professional needs to get the best understanding in order to provide the patient clearly about their care. Nursing is almost impossible if the patient needs are not clearly established. Communication facilitates the patient

Imogene King was the Midwestern, twentieth century nursing theorist that developed the conceptual system and theory of goal attainment and transactional process. Although not without controversy, her theory has been the spring board for some middle range nursing theories and nursing education programs. This theory is particularly intriguing to individuals who are goal driven and will be explored in detail in the following paragraphs.

Theory Application to Nursing Practice: Intuition Through an understanding of each of the outlined theories, intuition seems most applicable to nursing practice. In reflection, nursing students have a minimal but developing level of clinical experience. While intuition is based from past experiences, emotions, and behaviours, another important factor is the perception of the situation; it is the perception or feeling of something being wrong that will instigate intuition (Holm & Severinsson 2016, pp. 412-3).

Nursing theories provide the foundation for nursing professionals and it establishes the facts about the profession. This paper will specifically talk about Imogene King’s theory of Goal Attainment. Imogene King’s Goal Attainment Theory which was developed in the 1960s concentrates on the effectiveness of the communication between the nurse and the clients. This paper will give a little history of King before going further to explain the theory. Every theory has concepts, definitions, models, propositions, and assumptions that are used to explain what the theory is all about.

Nursing is the art and science of caring for individuals with potential or actual health problems. Nursing is the art of providing quality, compassionate care while evaluating the patients’ biopsychosocial and spiritual needs. Nursing as a science evaluates the patients’ health and response to disease. Nurses assist individuals and groups to maintain or attain optimal health. They implement care to accomplish defined goals and evaluate responses to care and treatment. This care is delivered in accordance with the standards of nursing practice. Nursing is dynamic, evolving from changes in health care, and advances in medical science and technology.

1971 – Imogene King introduced the Goal Attainment System Theory. “The nurse and the client usually meet as strangers. Each brings to this meeting perceptions and judgments about the situation and the other; each acts and then reacts to the other’s action. The reactions lead to interaction, which, when effective, leads to transaction or movement toward mutually agreed on goals.” (George, 2011).