Nursing theory applies conceptual frameworks to guide practice through predicting and describing specific behavior. There are many types of nursing theories out there, but the theory I chose was Dr. Katharine Kolcaba’s, The Comfort Theory. In an effort to address why the profession of nursing needs theory, it is important to identify the purpose and importance of theory in general. Not only does nursing theory need to demonstrate the progress of the profession itself, but nursing theory needs to be meaningful and applicable to our current practice. Many authors have somewhat different opinions of what nursing theory actually means, but the general consensus seems to support the fact that it is a set of clearly defined concepts and values.
Application of Theory to Nurse Staffing Monet J. Scott Chamberlain College of Nursing NR: 501 Theoretical Basis Advance Nursing June 2015 Application of Theory to Nurse Staffing Theories guide the nursing practice in the sense that they may be used to express viewpoints and orientations to the foundational characteristics of the nursing profession. This has a profound impact on the way nursing is practiced in every clinical situation. Theories are also used to comprehend and analyze certain situations resulting in effective nursing approaches and essentials to carry out quality nursing care. Nursing theories are not exclusive to practical and tactile patient care situations but they are also valuable in problem solving. The ability of nurses to respond, preform, and resolve issues accordingly in nursing care situations can be attributed to the use of theory.
In order for a nurse to deliver patient focused care, they must first develop an effective nurse-patient relationship with the service users that they care for. This is important in order to ensure that the highest quality of care is provided to the patient. As, according to Sheldon (2009), a nurse-patient relationship is based upon the commitment of a nurse to work alongside their patient’s, in order to deliver personal and effective care which meets the identified health needs. Patient focused care involves the patient and nurse working together as a partnership and places the patient and their relatives central to decision making in regards to the planning, implementation and assessment of care. An equal nurse-patient relationship is important in order to ensure that safe, effective and personal health care is delivered and that the patients’ needs are appropriately met (The Health Foundation, 2012).
This topic highlights the following objectives: Recognize the importance of understanding the history of the nursing profession. Recognize the influence of historical events and issues on contemporary nursing practice. Recognize the contributions and challenges of key nursing pioneers and leaders in the evolution of the nursing profession. Determine how contemporary and historical legislation has directly and indirectly influenced nursing practice and the education of nurses. Describe the evolution of various types of nursing education programs as a response to changes in healthcare delivery.
The NCNR dedicated areas within its institute to focus just on how to conduct research. Knowing how to conduct research is important as studies were undergone to not only improve nurses’ ability to slow a patient’s illness, but to also assist the nurse in promoting a healthy lifestyle for the patient. The NCNR believes research is necessary because nurses “are more likely to have continuing contact with the most vulnerable populations” (Merritt, 1987). Research is needed to assist nurses in identifying those patients at risk so interventions can be put into place to empower the patient to realize a healthy lifestyle is achievable. Conclusion Nursing research has always been and continues to be directed toward patient care.
Nurses should get effective workforce planning to get more data and information. 4. Nurses should practice and get higher level of education and training. The nursing education primary goal is patient safety. “Two consensus reports from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) which calls for greater interprofessional education of physicians, nurses, and other health professionals, as well as new methods of improving and demonstrating competency throughout one’s career (IOM, 2003b, 2009)” The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation of nursing research network is estimate costs of nursing education for different degree levels.
Yet not all nurses begin their career with the thoughts of becoming a leader. The nursing profession must produce leaders throughout the health care system, from the bedside to the boardroom, who can serve as full partners with other health professionals and be accountable for their own contributions to delivering high-quality care while working collaboratively with leaders from other health professions”(IOM 2010). This statement obviously speaks to the nurses to become more effective leaders and that they must apply their leadership knowledge as well as their leadership skills in their practice of nursing. Many Nurses have their own individualized perspective in which some of those come from experiences in providing direct patient care, hands-on ; educating patients and their family about health status, medications and care plans; and ensuring the linkage between a prescribed course of treatment and the desired outcome(key messages of IOM report
As nursing has progressed, theory has played a large role in defining the professional practice and identifying the standards to providing consistent, measurable practice among the profession. A basic definition of the term theory is given by Streubert & Carpenter (2011) as “a systematic explanation of an event in which constructs and concepts are identified and relationships are proposed and predictions made”. Nursing theories are the basic concepts that define nursing practice. It is why nurses do what we do. During any given shift, nurses are using several theories in ensuring that patients’ needs are being met and proper care is given to ensure the best possible outcomes.
The 2010 IOM report also puts a light on the importance of nurse as a leader . Nurses should take part and act as full partners in redesigning the future of health care with physicians and others in the health care team. Be accountable for the care delivered and efforts to improve at all levels to avoid and prevent errors from happening. Today we need more nurses as leaders in fields of policy making advisory boards to local and federal levels and in legislative levels ,to bring forward ideas to improve health care system and there by ensuring the safety and health of our patient and community
Historical Development of Nursing Timeline Studying the historical development of nursing helps the nurse to recognize the numerous forces and issues that confront the nursing profession. In addition, understanding the history of nursing allows the nurse to gain appreciation for the role of the nurse and evolution of the nursing profession. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the historical development of nursing. Nursing Science and the Evolving Profession The development and evolution of nursing as a profession is intricately linked to historical influences and events of the past. Edwards (1999) states “If nursing is a science then perhaps it will prove fruitful to apply the historical turn to it in order to determine how nurses might best meet the ends of nursing” (p. 567).