Theories, guiding us, investigate and collect information about all the important aspects related to everyday practice. They open our eyes towards all the things we have not seen before. Theory development has been driven by a thirst for knowledge, and the need to show nursing as a profession. Theories are the foundation for practical action, and research helps validate them. “Nurse theorists have used various definitions to develop and support their theoretical frameworks. Their worldview is based on their personal, socioeconomic, political, spiritual, and educational experiences. They have applied these factors in developing their own theories and definitions of terms and concepts to explain each theory” (Tourrville, & Ingalls, 2003, p.32). Theories help us gain insight to the world we live in, according to Furst (2003). Theories help us use our knowledge and approach patients in a variety of ways. They not only help us solve problems, but also help us provide care to the person.
How does nursing practice change as a result of evolving nursing theory?
The nursing theory guides and validate the discipline of professional nurse's practice. According to Fawcett, 1999, noted (as cited in Raholm, 2010), that with nursing science and research it is important to develop a good discipline. Nightingale's primary focus is the patient and the environment. For instance, the care of the ventilation, keep a minimum of the noise, keep the area clean, and adequate light, etc. (Masters, 2012). Nola J. Pender focus on the health promotion considering the unique behaviors and characteristics that influence the patient's action (Masters, 2012). Watson's theory focus on the ten carative factors. The ten caritas tell us how to be more humanist care such as be king, honor oneself and the one who receive the care, be supportive, understand, educate the patient, etc (Masters, 2012).
For instance, caring for the patient with chronic diabetes type two, utilizing the research information of Diabetics disease and the nursing theories, help the nurse how to interact with the patient, be empathetic, understand, educate and utilize the effective communication with the patient. Including the unique characteristics and behaviors of the patient that may affect the patient actions. “Developing the theory of caring science and core area ought to be self- evident when constructing an autonomous field of science.” ( Raholm, 2010, p. 37). In overall, nursing theory renew nursing commitments and enhance the knowledge of how to provide a better patient care.
What do you think will drive future development in nursing theory?
Nursing theories are extremely crucial in determining the future of nursing. They serve a vital role in many areas including guiding education, research, and practice. Further, they solidify the field of nursing, along with making way for future research and studies and maintaining the professionalism of nursing and set the foundation for the future of nursing.
Nursing theories are usually founded in conceptual models which display the nursing metaparadigm phenomena. Therefore, the conceptual model is seen as a precursor of nursing theory. A conceptual model of nursing contains abstract concepts that form a meaningful configuration. As a result, it is implied that the concepts, definitions, and propositions of a nursing theory
