The Impact Of Transformative And Social Constructive Learning Theories Impacted Adult Learning Outcomes

Several learning theories have been put forward to explain how learning takes place in individuals. These theories have found application in formal learning situations including nursing education and training. In addition, a number of nursing theories also aim to prescribe the best approach to the practice of nursing in a professional environment. Of the learning theories, social learning theory takes into account the role of the environment in shaping responses through interaction with the cognitive skills of the learner. The deliberate nursing process theory also emphasizes the importance of responding to the real environment instead of blindly implementing prescribed solutions. This essay discusses the responses of a nursing professional in a real-life learning environment in the light of social learning theory and deliberative nursing process theory.

Mezirow (1991) states that a learner’s viewpoint is interrupted when faced with perplexing problems in regards to their Weltanschauung. He defines several steps and phases of transformational learning which gives the learner an adaptation of a new way of thinking (Mezirow, 1991). It’s important to know that transformational learning is based on our own reflection and how we interpret our experiences, ideas, and assumptions gained through prior learning. By looking deeper into ourselves we can reflect on the positive and negative outcomes of our behaviors.

As the demand for nursing education grows and with the rapidly advancing roles of nursing, educators need to stay up-to-date. “Theory-based practice provides nurses with a perspective” (Parker, 2006, p.28). With the comprehension and use of educational theories, nursing educators can support student knowledge and development into practice. These theories are outlines of cohesive concepts and principals that describe, explain, or predict how people learn. Every one learns differently and as an educator you need to be familiarized with and open to the use of one or more combinations of theories to successfully teach adult learners in this ever changing health care system. This paper will highlight the use of Constructivist Learning Theory and its application to nursing practice.

Nursing students today are diverse with different learning styles. Nursing educators must shape students to become critical thinkers and there are a host of approaches for instructors to develop needed teaching skills (Kostovich et al., 2007). There are many models of education styles; one to fashion teaching after is from Kolb’s model in 1985 which suggests matching learning methods to teaching approaches. However, educators need to become proficient in identifying individual student learning styles. Nursing educators should also recognize their own teaching style and the effect it has on learner development and socialization (National League for Nursing, 2007). The National League for Nursing (NLN) has developed eight core

Creasia, Friberg, J. (2011). Conceptual Foundations: The Bridge to Professional Nursing Practice (5th ed). Mosby. Retrieved from

The healthcare industry has intensely advanced throughout the world, in turn changing the principles that incorporate the practice and culture of nursing practice. Altering the model of care to a patient-centered mode signifies an organizational culture shift and requires the participation of executives at the senior level (Cliff, 2012). To practice this care to provide the best care possible, it goes beyond the nurse to all healthcare professionals and senior leadership. The days of patients and nurses following a physician’s order without favor to care has now loaned themselves to more of an interdisciplinary approach to practice. Though, it is encouraged that the patient makes decisions for themselves, after receiving the proper education and information on their condition. Part of the patient-centered care is to be the patients’ advocate, by letting them know you are there for them when they are unable to speak and advocate for themselves and what is in their best interest. That goes in hand with educating them on “self-management of care, health literacy, patient, and family education through nurse-patient communication and interaction (Finkelman & Kenner, 2016, p. 271).”

Nursing is a profession that requires individuals to be skilled and knowledgeable in several different arenas. From the use of science in order to apply theories and research into practice, to using critical thinking and advocating for the improvement of healthcare, the Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) must be able to integrate these skills into practice. This paper will review the competencies set forth by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF). In order to better grasp how an APN implements the use of such competencies, an interview has been conducted with a leader in the profession. This interview was done in person with the use of a tape recorder while the interviewer took notes. To better understand just how instrumental these competencies are to the profession, the APN student must be able to see how it is used in everyday practice by one who is already working as an APN. APN students can review materials concerning the competencies needed; however, the student is able to have a better grasp of the role of the APN by becoming aware of how one in the profession applies these competencies in the real world.

There are many issues in nursing that we, as nurses, can have a profound impact on changing. Using nursing theory, we can improve clinical practice and thereby positively influence the health and quality of individuals (McEwen & Wills, 2014). Benner’s theory of Novice to Expert illustrates how nurses evolve through clinical experience and education to become expert clinicians. Theory can be used to guide nursing practice when combined with clinical knowledge and critical thinking; such is the case in the ambulatory (outpatient) care setting. Ambulatory care nursing is complex and encompasses autonomous, as well as collaborative practice using evidence based information across a variety of outpatient health care settings (AAACN, 2017). This paper will look at the lack of specialized nursing education in the ambulatory setting, as well as, Patricia Benner’s Novice to Expert middle-range nursing theory. It will also look at how Benner developed her theory and how her Novice to Expert Theory has been used previously in the ambulatory setting. Lastly, I will address how Benner’s theory could be used to address the lack of specialized nursing education in the ambulatory setting.

Responsible health teachings that are planned to help prevent illness, reduced morbidity, improve health and wellness practices and manage chronic conditions effectively with increasing patient care results. In this respect, Nurse Practitioner must stay consistent in maintaining a culturally sensitive patient-centered care environment by recognizing patients as part of the decision-making process (National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, 2016). The development of evidence-based practice and evaluation practicing of learning become vital parts by providing a significant response to improving the teaching-learning process and, more likely, participate in the competent and excellent in the management of patient care (National League of Nursing, 2016). Health care is continuously developing and improving; Nurse Practitioner must be committed to lifelong learning to continue with the stated fast-paced revolutions. Additionally, NP collaborates with other members of the health care team to promote healthy partnership within the organization to providing optimal care and transition to the care continuum accordingly (National League of Nursing, 2016). Nurse Practitioner decision-making is affected by their ethical principles to make simple decisions

Nursing career is one of the few fastest growing fields in the health care industry not only in the United States but also in the world. Nurse practice has drastically changed in the last decade and as a result the need for changes in nursing practice is becoming more and more important. The Institute of Medicine report discusses so many aspects in nursing but this paper requires detailing the impacts on Nursing Practice (Transforming Practice), Nursing Education (Transforming Education), and the Nurse’s role as a Leader (Transforming Leadership). These three key aspects are discussed in the following pages.

Nursing education is theory driven. Theories are derived from humanities, science, and biblical concepts. Nursing knowledge theory ,research and health promotion are influenced by spiritual perspectives and ethical, legal political historical, and social influences .Teaching includes a variety of methods learning modalities, and practice situations .faculty provide opportunities for students to give comprehensive care to diverse client populations (grand canyon university, 2011,p 2)

The student nurse has a personal definition of nursing as collaboratively caring of all individuals in a holistic manner, focusing on the prevention of illness and injury, diagnosis of symptoms, treatment of condition, and promotion of health and wellness. Nursing from a practical stance can be defined as the act of assessing a patient, diagnosis of the patient, providing patient outcomes, identification of a treatment plan, implementation of a plan, and evaluation of the plan. Anyone with a set of skills can practice the act of nursing, but it takes a special person to actually be a nurse. A nurse should be invested in the patient, be an advocate for the patient, and above all be caring towards the patient. A patient will surely not remember which nurse gave the best shot, but they will remember which nurse was the most caring. Nursing is more than administering medications and performing skills, but rather it is an art of knowledge and critical thinking combined with compassion and care.

Nursing professionals help individuals, families, and communities to attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life. The needs of patient care have evolved together with the healthcare system for a few decades, setting higher standards and delegating more roles for nursing professionals. Nurses, especially those with a bachelor’s degree, should always maintain continued education and teach other healthcare professionals as well. This is to equip them with the tools required to deliver a holistic patient

The purpose of this paper is to discuss a learning theory with application to a teaching-learning situation in health care. This paper will focus on the social learning theory and its application to the teaching-learning process in nursing. I will explore a clear definition of the theory and present the main concepts. Lastly, I will apply my knowledge of the social learning theory by describing how I use it in a health care setting when educating student nurses during senior practicum.

The theoretical framework for my research is adult learning theory incorporates the basic concepts of behavioral change and experience in learning. “Emerging theories of adult learning are based on the unique characteristics of adults as learners” (Knowles, 1970, section 1, para 1). There are two categories with respect to the theory of adult learning: how an adult processes knowledge, which in turn produces change for the individual, and how an adult processes knowledge to then become a change agent in an organization. Merriam & Bierema (2014) links these principles with Knowles’ andragogy theory (p.54).