DQ 1: Compare and contrast two nursing theories

 DQ 1: Compare and contrast two nursing theories

Nurses apply many concepts in patient care, and the influence of theoretical concepts cannot be overlooked. Broadly, nursing theories enable nurses to improve care quality by allowing them to articulate what they do to patients and the rationale for their actions (Younas & Quennell, 2019). Among many theories, Katharine Kolcaba’s theory of comfort can guide nurses in optimizing patient care outcomes. Its fundamental principle is that comfort is a fundamental need for all patients achieved by providing relief, ease, and transcendence (Vo, 2020). In regular practice, relief enhances comfort, and ease promotes calmness, while transcendence is all about helping the patient overcome painful stressors. The other theory is Florence Nightingale’s environmental theory. Florence stressed that nurses and patients must be cognizant of the role of the environment in the healing process (Riegel et al., 2021). As a result, the patient should stay in conditions with adequate sunlight, fresh air, and pure water, among other essential components.

The two theories can be used to incite behavioral changes. In the theory of comfort, nurses should seek behaviors that optimize comfort and educate patients and families on achieving the same. The environmental theory can guide nurses and families to implement behavioral interventions that make the environment safe, comfortable, and supportive for patients to enhance healing (Riegel et al., 2021). Regarding the pros, both theories promote a patient-centered practice and holism in patient care. However (the cons), they require intensive nurse participation hence time-consuming. The environmental theory also requires nurses to factor in many environmental elements, including light, air, cleanliness, and drainage. Therefore, they must assess the patients continuously to ensure they stay in the proper care environment.

Acute care practice requires nurses to be conversant with all the patient’s needs. Active engagement of patients in the care process is highly recommended. Kolcaba’s theory can be integrated into acute care to optimize patients’ comfort. The environmental theory can be the basis of promoting holistic healing by ensuring the patient’s environment meets the threshold of safe, supportive, and comfortable surroundings. Ethical issues that should be considered when integrating these theories include informed consent, implications on safety, and their potential harm to nurses. For instance, engaging nurses too much in care might cause exhaustion (harm) and hamper their potential.

References

Riegel, F., Crossetti, M. D. G. O., Martini, J. G., & Nes, A. A. G. (2021). Florence Nightingale’s theory and her contributions to holistic critical thinking in nursing. Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem, 74 (2). https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2020-0139

Vo, T. (2020). A practical guide for frontline workers during COVID-19: Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory. Journal of Patient Experience, 7(5), 635–639. https://doi.org/10.1177/2374373520968392