Nursing Theories and Advanced Nursing Practice

Introduction

Nursing Theories are the basic standards and norms of nursing care, establishing the content and rationality of nursing processes. Among the most well-known theories for professional nursing practice, Nightingale’s Environmental Theory, Rogers’ Science of Unitary Human Beings, and Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory should be singled out (Alligood, 2021). Within the framework of modern medicine, the inextricable, deep connection between theoretical knowledge and its practical application is apparent. Advanced Nursing Practice especially requires the application of these theories to evaluate care initiatives and predict results in lifesaving situations more effectively. Nursing is based on an inseparable symbiosis of theory and practice.

Analysis

Relationship Between the Concepts

One should note that Nursing Theories and Advanced Nursing Practices constitute a single, harmoniously interconnected, and balanced unit in the healthcare system context. A critical understanding of theoretical knowledge is the basis of advanced and improved nursing practice (Yip et al., 2021). In other words, Nursing Theories should be tested empirically, whereas Advanced Nursing Practices are the basis for forming new theories and developing existing ideas.

Due to the Nursing Theories, a nurse understands patients better and can provide them with the highest quality care and support in accordance with modern medical practice. For example, using several nursing theories promotes care strategies and enhances treatment outcomes, helping to understand the reasons for using specific techniques and subsequent results to optimize care methods (“Nursing theory and practice,” 2020). The combination of theoretical and practical aspects helps a nurse independently assess a patient’s condition and needs, properly monitor them, and make informed decisions related to a particular responsibility, when the success of treatment largely depends on a nurse’s professional competence. In medicine, it is impossible without theoretical literacy, which is necessary not only in difficult situations but also when performing relatively simple tasks because nursing practice is sometimes rich in unexpected, hidden, disguised manifestations of pathological processes.

Examples

Using nursing theories in practice allows specialists to organize the principles of patient care assessment and improve nursing intervention based on evaluation results. Professional nurses generally appeal to the relevant theories in practice daily at the assessment, diagnosis, outcome, planning, implementation, and evaluation stages (“Nursing theory and practice,” 2020). For instance, a nurse applies Nightingale’s Environmental Theory when creating the best conditions to help patients recover as soon as possible, providing cleanliness, quiet, light, warmth, and fresh air (Alligood, 2021). Moreover, medics do not forget about Rogers’ Science of Unitary Human Beings, looking at a patient as a person and their environment, helping patients change for better health, including through non-invasive methods. In addition, when interacting with patients, many nurses use Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory day-to-day, helping individuals recover by saving independence regarding self-care. Using these and some other equally essential theories, nurses become more confident in their actions and decisions, and as a result, the quality of care for patients and their degree of satisfaction with medical services are improving. Furthermore, medics discover more opportunities for self-development and personal growth.

Conclusion

Summarizing the above, one should emphasize that Nursing Theories and Advanced Nursing Practice are inseparable from each other and form a single unit for the realization of the best conditions of care and the results of the treatment of patients. With theories, it is possible to follow advanced medical practice, and with practice, it is possible to test the performance of a particular idea. For example, medical specialists use many theories daily, starting with Nightingale’s Environmental Theory and ending with Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory, allowing them to approach a patient’s treatment responsibly.

References

Alligood, M.R. (2021). Nursing theorists and their work (10th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.

Nursing theory and practice: Examining the connection. (2020). Ohio University. Web.

Yip, J.Y.C. (2021). Theory-based advanced nursing practice: A practice update on the application of Orem’s self-care deficit nursing theory. SAGE Open Nursing, 7, 1-7. Web.