NURSING THEORY AND ITS APPLICATION ✓ Solved
This paper will cover a lot of ground regarding nursing, nursing theories, patient care, and how these are applied in current practice. Concepts, interpretations, models, propositions, and assumptions are used to create a theory. Deductive reasoning and inductive reasoning are guided to use the most current evidence-based practice to provide the high-quality care that their patients deserve during their critical time as a patient within the care facility.
Throughout the patient's stay at the facility, a nursing theory will be applied constantly, which the nurse will use before providing care to the patient and then continue to use these theories throughout the rest of the nurse's time as a nurse and providing care to patients. Thus, before discussing the plan of care with the patient, the nurse must conduct and establish strong and effective communication with this patient, reflect on the Self-Care theory, and then deliver that plan of care to the patient. Self-care has been shown to have a significant impact on both medical and person-centered outcomes in HF patients. Using nursing theory in daily practice will improve patient care and decrease patient length of stay because patients will understand their disease processes and effectively manage their care with their care team.
Orem's Self-Care Theory best describes my perspective as a nurse and, one day, an ARNP in the acute care setting. Suppose people have physical and mental capacity. In that case, they should be self-sufficient, understand their disease process and how to manage their medications properly, and understand the importance of adhering to the plan of care that the provider has given the patient (Khademian, Ara, & Gholamzadeh, 2020). I would formulate a plan before speaking with the patient, then execute that plan with the patient and have them conduct their care, with the nurse only intervening if the patient truly requires assistance.
Taking a nursing theory and applying it to patient care entails using these models to assess the patient's condition, needs, goals, effective communication, problem-solving, and determining which theory will be most beneficial to the patient. There are several reasons why nursing theories should be applied in practice. One goal is to guide nurses and to be able to describe and have virtual mental templates about everyday experiences. Another important aspect of putting these theories into practice is being able to interrupt the data that has been collected from the patient to critically think about the patient's current health status and then make an effective decision in the patient's care. Using these theories, nurses are guided to provide a proper standard of care for the patient (Iqbal, Jan, & Rattani, 2021).
Finally, if there has been a change in patient status due to critical thinking, it would be appropriate for the nurse to use effective communication via nursing technology with the patient care team to develop a plan of care for the patient's benefit. Nursing theories are important and relevant to current nursing practice in patient-centered care. The resources gathered from all of the remarkable nursing theories are to provide the ethics and ideals of the framework of nursing practice that will be able to guide an assistant nurse's knowledge (Yu, & Song, 2021). Without these theories, the concept of nursing practice would not have such a clearly defined role in how nurses conduct their care and, as a result, treat the patient appropriately within the nursing scope.
These theories are intertwined and inseparable within the nurse's practice, regardless of the field of nursing. While using these theories, nurses finally evaluate the patient's self-care performance. This evaluation assists in establishing an effective and comprehensive nursing care plan that promotes the autonomy and self-care abilities of the patient.
Paper For Above Instructions
Nursing theories form the backbone of effective nursing practice and significantly enhance patient care outcomes. In the nursing field, theories serve multiple purposes: they provide a framework for nursing education, guide professional practice, and shape regulations and policies. The importance of nursing theories cannot be overstated, as they are essential tools for nursing professionals to deliver quality care. Understanding their role within practice is crucial for improved patient satisfaction and health outcomes.
Theories in nursing stem from various models, each representing different aspects of health and wellness. For example, Orem's Self-Care Theory emphasizes the role of patients in managing their own health. This theory posits that individuals have the ability to perform self-care, and nurses play a vital role in facilitating this capability. The application of self-care theory allows nurses to empower patients, enhance their self-efficacy, and ultimately support better health outcomes (Khademian et al., 2020).
Furthermore, applying nursing theories helps in developing structured care plans that cater to individual patient needs. For instance, through the lens of Orem's Self-Care Theory, nurses assess the patient's current health status, identify self-care deficits, and plan interventions that promote patient independence. By understanding their disease processes, patients are apt to adhere to treatment protocols and self-manage their conditions more effectively.
Moreover, nursing theories guide the communication process between nurses and patients, which is essential in patient-centered care. Effective communication builds trust and rapport, enabling nurses to convey complex medical information and care plans simply. By utilizing theoretical frameworks, nurses are better positioned to identify the most effective methods of communication that suit their patients' needs, thus improving patient understanding and adherence to nursing interventions (Iqbal et al., 2021).
The integration of nursing theories into practice also enhances critical thinking skills, allowing nurses to make informed decisions based on evidence. Effective nurse decision-making hinges on the ability to critically assess situations, drawing from theoretical frameworks that inform care delivery. Applying these theories facilitates robust data interpretation, promoting the use of evidence-based practice—a fundamental element in modern healthcare settings. This approach not only benefits patients but also advances nursing knowledge through iterative learning and continuous improvement.
In addition, the relevance of nursing theories transcends specific patient populations, being applicable in various nursing specialties. For instance, in pediatrics, trauma, rehabilitation, or geriatric nursing, the principles embedded in nursing theories apply equally, ensuring that care standards and ethical guidelines are consistently maintained. This universality of nursing theories underscores their importance as foundational elements in nursing curricula and ongoing professional development.
Key to successful nursing practice is also recognizing the need for a holistic approach that considers the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions of patient care. Theories such as Watson's Theory of Human Caring underscore the importance of these facets and their relevance in forming therapeutic relationships. By integrating a caring approach in conjunction with other nursing theories, healthcare providers can better address the multifaceted needs of patients.
Furthermore, as the healthcare landscape continues to evolve—marked by technological advancements, diverse patient populations, and differencing health challenges—nursing theories serve as a guide in adapting care practices. For instance, the Technological Competency as Caring in Nursing Theory emphasizes the necessity of utilizing technology in providing high-quality care while maintaining a caring touch. This adaptability reflects nursing's commitment to continuous education and professional advancement to meet the needs of modern healthcare delivery systems.
In conclusion, the application of nursing theories in practice is a cornerstone of effective patient care. They enrich the nurse's knowledge, shape evidence-based practices, guide critical clinical decision-making, and enhance communication with patients, leading to improved health outcomes. Appreciating the significance of these theories equips nurses to navigate the complexities of patient care adeptly, fostering a higher standard of care that benefits both patients and healthcare professionals alike.
References
- Iqbal, S., Jan, R., & Rattani, S. (2021). Nursing Theory Guided Practice: A Lasting Challenge to Overcome.
- Khademian, Z., Ara, F. K., & Gholamzadeh, S. (2020). The effect of self-care education based on Orem’s nursing theory on quality of life and self-efficacy in patients with hypertension: a quasi-experimental study. International Journal of Community Based Nursing and Midwifery, 8(2), 140.
- Yu, S., & Song, J. E. (2021). Essential Role of Theory in Nursing Research for Advancement of Nursing Science. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing, 51(4).
- Watson, J. (2008). Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring. University Press of Colorado.
- Fawcett, J. (2015). Theories Guiding Nursing Research and Practice. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
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- Alligood, M. R. (2018). Nursing Theorists and Their Work. Elsevier.
- Meleis, A. I. (2018). Theoretical Nursing: Development and Progress. Wolters Kluwer.
- Bramble, J. (2020). The influence of nursing theory on nursing practice. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 10(5).
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