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.
At the individual level it is recognizing and reflecting on an issue that restricts one’s abilities and experiences, then taking action to change the issue for themselves and others affected (Chinn & Kramer, 2011). The key objective of praxis is through reflection to incorporate theory, practice and art to aid in the recognition and valuing of diverse types of knowledge (Kilpatrick, 2008). Praxis plays an integral role for the APN and there should be a solid foundation of understanding. There are several benefits for APN’s use of nursing praxis; it influences the relationship the practitioner develops with patients, their families and colleagues. Moreover, it provides the opportunity for change, personal nursing theory and knowledge development through self-reflection.
Theoretical Basis: Watson's Theory of Human Caring An advanced practice nurse (APN) to help guide professional practice and provide a working framework can use many different theories and models. Theories provide a foundation in which an APN can seek to understand patients and their problems and effectively plan interventions. Basing our practice on a particular theory can help improve the care we provide by not only providing structure but also providing boundaries and goals for our nursing actions and it defines a framework to evaluate the effectiveness of the actions we provide (Eldridge, 2014). This paper is going to review Watson’s theory of human caring and provide a description of the interrelated concepts for the grand nursing theory. The theorist’s background and perspectives will be explained and lastly the theory will be discussed as to how it can serve as an underpinning and improve nursing practice.
It can be depicted that whenever HCPs engage in practice, they make numerous clinical decisions; from which they draw on a wide range of knowledge (Pearson, Field & Jordan, 2007). This can be basic biological and behaviour sciences, the HCPs’ assessment of the current context and of the individual patient, their own experience and current understandings of research reports they may have read (Pearson et al., 2007). Although evidence of effectiveness of various interventions is necessary, it is evident that HCPs require a range of information, in order to facilitate changes in health practice and informed decision-making (Hoffman et al, 2010). Evidence-based practice is a process that can positively impact patient care, however, successfully implementing and sustaining this process at the bedside requires environmental readiness at the organizational level (Smith & Donze, 2010). Determining the level of readiness is vital before interdisciplinary teams can hope to accomplish successful dissemination of innovative and effective practices (Smith & Donze, 2010).
Abstract Comfort is an important concept in nursing practice that must be used as a guide in providing holistic care to improve patient’s health status. In the history of nursing practice, the concept of comfort is vague and is often times linked to end of life situations only. Dr. Katharine Kolcaba, a teacher and a nurse researcher, developed the theory of comfort with the goal of improving the patient’s experience and overall satisfaction as well as to promote higher hospital integrity and better institutional outcomes. This paper informed the reader of the concept of Comfort Theory, its strengths and weaknesses including the barriers and challenges met when using the theory, its application and implication to critical care setting, and its relevance to healthcare professionals and to the health care system. Further on, the plan to implement the theory in critical care nursing was presented.
According to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (2008) research is essential to nursing field to enhance evidence based practice. Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt (2005,p339) define evidence based practice as a problem solving approach that integrates a systematic search for and critical appraisal of the most relevant evidence to answer burning clinical questions while maximizing quality care and limiting cost. However, evidence based practice in nursing is more challenging than its use in the medical profession because of the multiple sources of nursing knowledge (Carrier andBrassey2006,p40). For this reason, it is important for researchers to understand how to figure out research techniques appropriate for them coming up with the best evidence on various issues being handled. Clearly-holdforth( 2008, p43) advocates the use of PICO question framing format while researching for it is a standardized criteria for determining a research question for all methodologies although different methodologies tackle the research
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.
Assignment 2: Conceptual/critical thinking exercise – The concept of trust and the nurse-patient relationship The concept of trust and nurse-patient relationship The bulk of the nursing literature tends to agree that trust underpins good nursing practice and is a vital component of the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship (Hem, Heggen & Ruyter, 2008; Johns, 1996; Belcher, 2009). However, there is much ambiguity in the literature about what this abstract concept actually means. The purpose of this essay is to define and develop the concept of trust as it relates to the nurse-patient relationship. This essay will also highlight the importance of trust in the nurse-patient relationship and some of the good points and bad points about this concept. In addition to this, the role of nursing theory and research in concept development will briefly be discussed.
While the definitions seem clear and straightforward, producing useful significant knowledge for nurses and their clients has been challenging faced by nursing scholars. Nursing science refers to discipline-specific knowledge of relationships of human responses in health and illness. Its goal is to understand, explain, and utilize it for the benefit of mankind by using scientific method to provide knowledge for all aspects of nursing. It uses classification of science such as basic, natural, applied to logically, systematically and coherently solve problems and answer question. Nursing philosophy on the other hand is described as a statement of foundational and universal assumptions, belief systems, and principles about the nature of knowledge and nature of existence (McEwen & Willis, 2011, p. 10).
Self Evaluation of Critical Thinking Susan R. Bolte The Ohio State University College of Nursing Graduate School Self Evaluation of Critical Thinking “Critical thinking in nursing is an essential component of professional accountability and quality nursing care” (Rubenfeld & Sheffer, 2010, p. 31). Nurses that use effective critical thinking must use certain habits of the mind, as well as, specific cognitive skills. According to Rubenfeld and Sheffer (2010), critical thinking is not only important to clinicians and educators, but also, it is important to patients and their significant others as it has a direct impact on the quality of patient outcomes. Quality patient outcomes require multiple levels of thinking (p. 9). By performing a self-assessment of my own critical thinking skills, I have revealed both strengths, as well as, weaknesses which have provided a basis for this paper.