Nursing Theory Application in Practice

Introduction

To start with, the existence of nursing theories has helped prove the conceptual framework upon which nursing practice is based. Through the framework, one can understand the interconnectedness of the concepts and constructs, which then aid in understanding and predicting the most probable outcome from a series of interventions.

Purpose of applying nursing theory to patient care

Through nursing theory, nursing practice is made to be a systematic process guided through a conceptual framework to ensure that the care rendered to the patients is holistic. It enables the thorough assessment of the patients to ensure that their needs are comprehensively met (Hansen & Dysvik, 2022). It is also important to note that nursing theories have been useful in ensuring that standardized and evidence-based care provisions exist to ensure that quality care is achieved.

Meaningfulness of nursing theory to current practice

Nursing theory remains a meaningful concept in a variety of ways. The frameworks presented make it possible to ensure that decisions are evidence-based. Through the various constructs of the theories, the resultant care is ethically approved; it can thus be applied in cases of problem-solving to ensure that the best available and evidence-based solution is prioritized. Owing the different concepts targeted in each theory also gives space to ensure that the aspect of patient-centeredness is adhered to to ensure that individual needs are identified and addressed (Younas & Quennell, 2019). For instance, the theory by Florence Nightingale advocates for the need to address environmental factors to facilitate patient recovery. It also remains helpful in the evaluation process to ensure that effectiveness, efficiency, and quality are attained in the care provision process. The latter is made possible through the availability of the framework from which the assessment can be made. Utilizing theories remains an integrated concept in the daily practice of nursing.

Applying nursing theory before planning and proving care in current practice

Nursing theories have proved to be beneficial in the care of patients. These theories can equally be applied before planning a patient’s care to ensure that the care plan is more individualized to the patient’s needs. Looking at the nursing process, a variety of theories can be applied in the two initial processes of assessment and coming up with appropriate nursing diagnoses that will guide the planning process (Ortiz, 2021). through the process, one can identify smart goals to ensure the planning process is as effective as possible. For instance, the self-care deficit theory by Dorothea Orem provides a basis upon which assessment can be based. Through the theory, healthcare professionals can conduct a focused assessment to ensure they capture areas of deficit the patient presents with. Here, the ability to perform self-care activities is assessed to identify areas with deficits, hence informing the nurse of the areas to be prioritized when caring for such a patient.

The theory that best reflects the personal view of nursing

The chosen theory is on human caring by Jean Watson. While looking at the four meta paradigms, the theory is interested in each. For the person, the client under care is considered a priority and hence needs to be understood, cared for, and assisted through all the dimensions that make them an integrated individual. Health is a concept seen to be achieved in cases where perceived self and experiences are congruent within the healthcare arena (Wei & Watson, 2019). Nursing is viewed as an integral part of the caring process that must be available to take care of the needs of the individual. The environment is, thus, the immediate surroundings within which the caring process is taking place. Usually, the environment needs to support the healing process to ensure the forward trajectory in the recovery process. Generally, the theory presents the role played by nursing to ensure that the patient’s needs are addressed.

Its essence in planning and providing care to patients

The theory of transpersonal caring generally presents the different roles played by a nurse caring for a patient. While still carrying out the process of treatment administration, they have to engage the patient in health promotion services that not only help them through the recovery journey but also in later life, where they become aware of the responsibilities that they have to lay to maintain excellent personal health as individual roles are well elaborated (Wei & Watson, 2019). The compassionate process of caring ensures that the healthcare provider remains patient and is ready to help the patient understand the treatment process and other aspects that can be addressed to help restore their health.

Conclusion

Thus, The theory remains conclusive in promoting wellness in the patient and is a useful concept in planning the patient’s care. It is essential to appreciate that the caring process advocates that all the patient needs have to be addressed in the caring process, hence bestowing the responsibility of comprehensive assessment on the healthcare provider to ensure that all areas of deficit are well captured while providing the compassionate aspect of caring is required as it ensures that the patient needs are well taken care of hence contribution to the high levels of patient satisfaction. Therefore, Nursing theories remain an integral part of nursing practice alongside incorporating evidence-based practice to attain high quality in the service provision process.

References

Hansen, B. S., & Dysvik, E. (2022, November). Expanding the theoretical understanding in Advanced Practice Nursing: Framing the future. In Nursing Forum (Vol. 57, No. 6, pp. 1593-1598).https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12827.

Ortiz, M. R. (2021). Best Practices in Patient-Centered Care: Nursing Theory Reflections – Mario R. Ortiz, 2021. Nursing Science Quarterly. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/08943184211010432?icid=int.sj-abstract.similar-articles.3.

Wei, H., & Watson, J. (2019). Healthcare interprofessional team members’ perspectives on human caring: A directed content analysis study. International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 6(1), 17–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnss.2018.12.001.

Younas, A., & Quennell, S. (2019). The usefulness of nursing theory‐guided practice: an integrative review. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 33(3), 540–555. https://doi.org/10.1111/scs.12670.