Implementing nursing theory as a framework for quality practice is crucial in the complex and ever-evolving nursing field. Nursing theories provide solid foundation and guide nurses in delivering optimal patient care, promoting positive outcomes, and shaping the profession’s future (Mohamed & Aly, 2023). However, advocating for incorporating nursing theory into the work environment requires strategic efforts and comprehensive understanding of its importance. This article explores various strategies that professional nurses employ to advocate for implementing nursing theory, emphasizing these theories’ benefits and practical applications.
Education and Awareness
One of the primary strategies a nurse employs to advocate for implementing nursing theory is education and awareness (Florell, 2020). It entails helping colleagues understand the importance and relevance of the theories to daily practice. Nurses can conduct educational workshops or seminars to discuss different nursing theories and their practical applications. The platforms allow them to share the research that supports the theories and demonstrate how they can improve patient outcomes and nursing practice.
Applying Theories in Daily Practice
Incorporating nursing theories into daily practice is an effective way of advocating for their use. By adopting the theories and demonstrating their utility in improving patient care, other nurses can be motivated to adopt them. A nurse might incorporate Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring into their practice by prioritizing holistic patient care, developing meaningful relationships with patients, and fostering a healing environment. Observing the success of these methods can motivate other nurses to adopt similar practices.
Developing Evidence-Based Practice
Nursing theories can be leveraged to develop evidence-based practices. A nurse can provide empirical evidence on the efficacy of these theories by collecting and analyzing data on patient outcomes related to the use of specific nursing theories. Such evidence can be used in advocating for adopting the theories across the organization.
Encouraging Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Nursing is not an isolated profession but collaborates with various other disciplines. Advocating for using nursing theory involves fostering interdisciplinary collaboration (AM et al., 2019). Engaging with other professionals and sharing benefits and insights gained from nursing theories highlights their value and encourages adoption across the healthcare system.
Leadership and Policy Making
Nurses in leadership positions or those involved in policymaking can use their influence to promote nursing theory. They incorporate these theories into policies and guidelines, making them part of the institutional framework. By doing this, they effectively institutionalize use of nursing theories, ensuring their use across the board.
Advocating for Nursing Theory in Curriculum
Advocacy for nursing theory can extend beyond the workplace and into educational environment. Nurses can work with educators to ensure that nursing theory is incorporated into the curriculum. By doing this, they can ensure that future nurses are well-versed in these theories and understand their importance to quality practice.
Championing a Culture of Continuous Learning
Nursing is an evolving field, and continuous learning is essential. Nurses can foster culture of learning within their organizations by championing continuous education, like keeping abreast of advancements and changes in nursing theories. By promoting this culture, they improve their practice and demonstrate the value of nursing theory in facilitating learning and development.
Conclusion
Advocating for implementing nursing theory as a framework for quality practice is essential for improving patient outcomes and enhancing nursing practice. Nurses can effectively champion nursing theory by using strategies like education, application in daily practice, evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, leadership and policymaking, advocacy in the curriculum, and fostering a culture of continuous learning.
References
AM, C., Godinho, M. A., Murthy, S., Manapure, N. H., Ramadevi, N., Kinjawadekar, A., Burdick, W., Gilbert, J., Fisher, J., & Vinod Bhat, H. (2019). The built environment and health: fostering interprofessional collaboration for better policy recommendations. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 34(3), 414–417. https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2019.1650009
Florell, M. C. (2020). Concept analysis of nursing activism. Nursing Forum, 56(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12502
Mohamed, H., & Aly, E. (2023). Relationship between nurses’ ethical ideology, professional values, and clinical accountability. 096973302311722-096973302311722. https://doi.org/10.1177/09697330231172282
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