Learning Needs Assessment Paper Coral R Williams NUR 588 November 25, 2013 Monie Nuckles Learning Needs Assessment Paper “A needs assessment is the systematic exploration of the way things are and the way they should be. These things are usually associated with an organizational process and an individual evaluation” (American Nurse Association, 2002, para. 3). For the nursing practice a systematic exploration would be the nursing problem-solving process. Nurses use problem-solving when they perceive a gap between an existing state (what is going on) and a desired state (what should be going on).
The way in which a nurse practices can greatly affect the outcome of the patient (Potter & Perry, 2006). For this reason, nursing practices based on theories and concepts should be researched. The process of using concepts, theories, research and practices to form rationales usually begins with a concept or theory and is cyclic in nature, as each component may lead to the other (see Appendix A). In the nursing profession, several concept-directed theories guide both research and practice. The purpose of this paper is to select and analyze one of the many nursing theories that exist.
These core concepts lead nurses to actions that guide their practice. Nurses incorporate these concepts as they review, formulate, and deliver nursing care (Brilowski & Wendler, 2005). Nursing is a common core concept of nursing theories. Comparing and analyzing the definition of the concept of nursing among theories helps to distinguish the differences between them. It is also important to know where and how theories can best apply to current nursing practice.
The relevant ANA measures are linked to the changes in symptom severity and level of functioning domains. In symptom severity domain of pain management, the nurse would assess the individual’s perception of activities of treatment (process measure), use of pain medication (process measure), client ratings of pain or discomfort (outcome measure), provider ratings of pain or discomfort (outcome measure), and ratings including frequency, duration, and intensity of pain (outcome measure). In the level of functioning domain, the nurse would assess activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living (outcome measure). Risk reduction. In addition, according to the national quality initiatives, the PQRI/DOQ-IT has two measures related to smoking: “inquiry regarding tobacco use” and “advising smokers to quit.” The first measure is described as the percentage of patients 18 years and older who were queried about tobacco use one or more times in the last 24 months; the second measure is the percentage of patients 18 years and older and are smokers who received advice to quit smoking.
Comparison and Contrast: Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring and Rosemarie Parse’s Theory of Human Becoming Nursing theory, according to Florence Nightingale, helps to describe and explain what nursing is and what it is not. Nursing theory is important because it assists the profession of nursing to develop and understand nursing practice (Parker, 2006). Two nursing theorists, Jean Watson and Rosemarie Parse, share some common themes and perspectives as well as some significant differences in their theories. The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast these two theories in order to understand these similarities and differences as well as to examine the similarities of other nursing theories to Watson and Parse’s theories.
Elements of a recognised framework by Cormack (2000) will be used as a guideline through the critique process. Critique is defined by Polit et al (2000) as a careful critical appraisal of the strengths and limitations of a piece of research. They state that a written critique should serve as a guide to researchers and practitioners, and should help to advance a particular area of knowledge. The critique should also help those who are practising nursing, to decide how the findings from a study can be best incorporated into practice (Nieswiadomy, 2002). Knapp (1998) points out that if research is to provide convincing evidence on which to base practice, it must be capable of withstanding scrutiny regarding the quality and relevance of the researchers work.
White H. (1998) lmproving advocacy and partnership: reflection on a critical incident.Paediatric Nursing 10(9): 14-6. Woods S. (1998) Ethics and communication: developing reflective practice. Nursing Standard 12(18): 44-6. - See more at:
How does the research question specify the nature of the population being studied? The nature of the research question is specifically used in the population with women who were going into labor and the use of epidural medication. (Dersimonian, Klebanoff, & Zhang, 1999) It explained that there is a huge relationship between the use of epidural medication and the length and way of
Critique of Virginia Henderson: Need Theory Many theorists have come up with conceptual models that tried to define and explain nursing, one of which is by Virginia Henderson (1966). In this model, she stated that “the unique function of the nurse is to assist the individual, sick or well, in performance of those activities contributing to health or its recovery (or peaceful death) that he/she would perform unaided if he/she had the necessary strength, will or knowledge. And to do this in such a way as to help him/her gain independence as rapidly as possible” (Henderson, 1966). This paper presents an analysis and evaluation of Henderson’s nursing theory using Fawcett`s framework of analysis and evaluation of conceptual models of nursing (2000). The person as defined in Henderson’s model is all encompassing; it applies to the sick, the well and the dying.
Zangaro &ump; Soeken (2007) meta-analysis used a quantitative approach, in which descriptive research was used to collected data to answer questions regarding nursing job satisfaction. Also correlational research was used to attempt to determine whether and to what degree, the relationship between job satisfaction and autonomy, job stress, and nurse–physician collaboration among staff registered nurses existed. Downe, Simpson, &ump; Trafford (2007) meta-synthesis used a qualitative approach, to collect extensive narrative data to gain insights into the accounts of intrapartum midwifery skills, beliefs, philosophies by expert practitioners working in the field of intrapartum maternity.The data was then analyzed and the researchers produced a synthesis. Zangaro &ump; Soeken (2007) evidence appraisal noted the quality was rigorous preappraised evidence, and the results are clinically significant, and reliable . The researchers noted that having autonomy and good collaboration between nurses and physicians in an organization, in conjuction with decrease job stress, is consistent with better job satisfaction.