Nursing is strengthened when knowledge is built on sound theory Criteria to be a profession: distinct body of knowledge as the basis for practice Nursing must be viewed as a scholarly academic discipline hat contributes to society Ultimate goal is to support excellence in practice
Chapter 13: Nursing Theory: The Basis for Professional Nursing Bonnie M Wivell, MS, RN, CNS Nursing Theory Latin “a viewing”; Greek “contemplating” A body of knowledge shaped by how nurses see the world A group of related concepts, definitions & statements that propose a view of nursing phenomena from which to describe, explain or predict outcomes Abstract ideas Why is Theory Important? Nursing is strengthened when knowledge is built on sound theory Criteria to be a profession: distinct body of knowledge as the basis for practice Nursing must be viewed as a scholarly academic discipline hat contributes to society Ultimate goal is to support excellence in practice Theory Guides the Professional Nurse in… Organizing and analyzing patient data Understanding connections between pieces of data Discriminating between important and less pertinent data Making sound clinical judgments based on evidence Planning effective nursing interventions Predicting and evaluating outcomes of interventions Definition of Terms Metaparadigm = the major concepts or abstract ideas of the discipline; most important to practice and research Person Environment Health Nursing Philosophy = a set of beliefs about the nature of how things work and how the world should be viewed; begins to put together some or all concepts of the metaparadigm Definition of Terms Cont’d Conceptual Model or Framework = a more specific organization of nursing phenomena than philosophies; provide an organizational structure that makes clearer connections between concepts Propositions = statements that describe linkages between concepts and are more prescriptive; they propose an outcome that is testable in practice and research Florence Nightingale Notes on Nursing: What It Is and What It Is Not (1969, originally published in 1859) Her philosophy of health, illness, and the nurse’s role in caring for patients Focused on the relationship of patients to their surroundings Importance of observing the patient and recording information Importance of cleanliness Health and recovery from illness is related to environment Virginia Henderson The “Unique function of he nurse… is to assist the individual, sick or well, in the performance of those activities contributing to health or its recovery (or a peaceful death) that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will or knowledge.” Nurse’s role = substitute for the patient, a helper to the patient or a partner with the patient 14 basic needs of the patient (see Box 13-3 on pg 308) Jean Watson Studied at CU The Philosophy and Science of Caring (1979) Emphasized the caring aspects of nursing 10 Carative factors (see Box 13-4 on pg 309); these factors differentiate nursing from medicine (curative) Illness or disease equated with lack of harmony within the mind, body, and soul RN responsible for creating and maintaining an environment supporting human caring while recognizing and providing for patient’s primary human requirements Watson Continued Proposed that nursing be concerned with spiritual matters and the inner knowledge of nurse and patient as they participate together in the transpersonal caring process Nurses share their genuine self Patient’s spiritual strength is recognized, supported, encouraged RN encourages openness to understanding of self and others Leads to trusting, accepting relationships where feelings are shared and confidence is inspired