The Different Nursing Theories

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.

The universal portion of Orem’s theory consists of the self care that a patient needs to meet their physiologic and psychosocial need. The developmental portion of the theory covers the care when coping through developmental stages, and the health deviation, which cover the care a patient need when theory health has

Nursing theorist, Hildegard Peplau knew that in order to care for patients, the nurse must establish a strong relationship with the patient. This is an essential element in being able to provide adequate planning, diagnosing, and successfully treating patients. Personally, my desire to learn more about Peplau’s theory is because it is a very significant quality to have as a nurse. Nursing is a very interpersonal career, and by forming trusting relationships with patients early in one’s nursing practice, I can provide the best care possible to meet psychosocial needs as well as treat the present illness. The benefits that creating interpersonal relationships can have on the patients’ health condition and their planned outcomes, is also a very interesting area of focus. Many nursing students today did not understand the importance of Peplau’s theory. They choose a career in nursing because of the finical stability and wide range of options that the career offers. Overall, one cannot forget that nursing is patient centered care.

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).

Consequently, one nursing theory does not fit every individual’s need. However, while nursing theories encompass many different beliefs, policies, and procedures, nurses can choose from many theories and can utilize some, all, or none of the concepts of each theory.

I agree that an organization’s structure plays an influential role in a nurse’s overall satisfaction. In fact, Buffington, Zwink, and Fink (2012) concur stating, “Creating an organizational culture committed to registered nurse (RN) retention is a strategy to reduce nurse turnover” (p. 273). Research reveals numerous hospitals today are restructuring their organizations to try and increase overall nurse satisfaction and retention. This “new recipe for healthcare leadership and organization is needed,” according to Miners, Hundert, and Lash (2015), not only to improve nurse satisfaction, but ultimately to improve quality of care and increase patient outcomes (p. 114).

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

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.

For nurses, the workload and patient assignments are the most significant factors in their perception of their ability to provide quality care to their patients. Of course, this is directly related to nursing job satisfaction. Nursing is a career in which patient satisfaction and caregiver satisfaction go hand in hand. When the nurse is happy, he or she provides high quality care to the patient, which in turn makes the patient happy. In addition, when the patient is pleased with the care they are receiving, this makes the nurse happy and improves nurse job satisfaction.

Gilmartin, H. M., Langner, P., & Battaglia, C. (2016). 9-189 - Does Nurse Job Satisfaction

Nurse leaders are faced with issues or problems on a daily basis that are often expected and sometimes unexpected. It “comes with the territory” so to speak. If there were no issues to solve or hurdles to overcome the necessity of designating a leader would not seem quite as important. Nurse leaders can tackle issues that occur in their work environment using nursing theory to guide them. Nursing theory provides a framework that nurse leaders can use to implement interventions or changes to positively impact the staff they lead. This framework of the theory will set the standards for achieving the desired outcomes and is based on knowledge that is gleaned from practice and/or research.

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 importance of nursing theory to practice of nursing should not be overlooked or underrated. That is because, it’s understanding and application are essential in enhancing patient 's care, improving communication between nurses, providing education’ and guidance in research, (Robert T. Croyle (2005). It is equally important to know that currently, there are many theories that guide the practice of nursing. Two of the most prominent ones will be compared and will form the subject of this this discussion.

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