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Nursing theory has significantly influenced the nursing profession, contributing to the development of pertinent research. These theoretical frameworks have provided a foundation for research, leading to new knowledge and enhanced patient care. For instance, Callista Roy’s nursing adaptation model explored patients’ experiences with chronic illnesses. This research offered valuable insights into these patients’ challenges and helped develop interventions to improve their quality of life.
Nursing theory offers a framework for understanding and organizing the knowledge, skills, and competencies required in nursing practice. King’s theory of goal attainment, for example, emphasizes the nurse-patient interaction to achieve mutually agreed-upon goals. This theory underpins nurse practitioners’ understanding of their roles and responsibilities in patient care. In the study “Articulating Nurse Practitioner Practice Using King’s Theory of Goal Attainment,” the authors underscore the importance of nursing theory in guiding nurse practitioners’ practice, stating that “nursing theories establish a basis for understanding nursing as a unique profession and articulating nursing practice” (Kathleen et al., 2013). Applying nursing theories promotes evidence-based practice, improves patient outcomes, and enhances healthcare delivery quality.
Furthermore, nursing theory plays a critical role in shaping nursing practice. Historically, nursing research and studies have led to new care methods, procedures, and positive changes in the healthcare system. The article “Keeping the Nurse in the Nurse Practitioner: Returning to Our Disciplinary Roots of Knowing in Nursing” argues that nursing theory is vital in preserving the discipline’s individuality and preventing it from becoming a subset of medicine (Wood, 2020). The authors assert that “nursing must retain its unique knowledge base and identity to ensure its continued viability as a profession” (Wood, 2020, p. 58). Another crucial aspect of nursing theory is its role in guiding nursing education. It provides the foundation for nursing curricula, ensuring that nursing education is based on a unique and current knowledge base. By incorporating nursing theory into the educational process, educators help nurses understand their roles and responsibilities in clinical settings and develop a unique approach to patient care. This integration enhances the recognition of the nursing profession within the healthcare system and society (Wood, 2020). The application of nursing theory benefits nurses in clinical practice and contributes to the development of the profession’s knowledge base, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.
Additionally, nursing theory informs nurse practitioner practice by offering a framework for assessing, planning, and implementing patient care. Frameworks like Orem’s self-care deficit theory and Roy’s model of adaptation assist nurse practitioners in identifying patients’ needs and developing appropriate interventions. The article “Key Issues in Nursing Theory: Developments, Challenges, and Future Directions” emphasizes the importance of nursing theory in clinical practice. The authors argue that “nursing theory is essential to clinical practice as it provides a framework for understanding patients’ experiences and developing effective interventions” (Roy, 2018, p. 88). By understanding and applying nursing theory, nurse practitioners can articulate their unique contributions to patient care, enhancing their role and promoting societal recognition (Roy, 2018). This recognition can also lead to higher job satisfaction and a sense of professional fulfillment.
In conclusion, nursing theory is crucial, particularly for nurse practitioners. It provides a foundation for understanding nursing as a unique profession and guides expert practice, shaping the profession’s identity and maintaining its unique knowledge base. This scientific premise informs nursing practice by providing a framework for patient care. Consequently, nurse practitioners can significantly benefit from nursing theory, and to deliver high-quality patient care, they must be well-versed in it. To provide effective patient care and contribute to the nursing profession’s advancement, nurses should have a thorough understanding of nursing theory.
References:
Leon-Demare, K., MacDonald, J., Gregory, D. M., Katz, A., & Halas, G. (2013). Articulating Nurse Practitioner Practice Using King’s Theory of Goal Attainment. Journal of American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 631–635.
Roy, C. (2018). Key Issues in Nursing Theory. Nursing Research, 67, 81–92.
Wood, S. K. (2020). Keeping the Nurse in the Nurse Practitioner: Returning to Our Disciplinary Roots of Knowing in Nursing. Wolters Kluwer Health, 43, 50–61.
