DQ: Compare and contrast two change theories, and determine which theory makes the most sense for implementing your specific EBP intervention References

DQ: Compare and contrast two change theories, and determine which theory makes the most sense for implementing your specific EBP intervention References

Barrow, J. M., Annamaraju, P., & Toney-Butler, T. J. (2021). Change Management. StatPearls StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459380

Current Nursing. (2020). Change Theory – Kurt Lewin.  https://www.currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/change_theory.html

Kurt Lewin not only has a nursing theory, he is considered the father of social psychology and the designer of the nursing model known as Change Theory and it his original theory which others have used as a foundation. (Petiprin, 2020). Lewin’s Change Theory is known as the “unfreeze-change-refreeze model” with 3-concepts or steps which are the “driving forces, restraining forces and equilibrium” per Petiprin (2020). The key points of Lewin’s change model is compelling forces, “restraining forces and equilibrium” (Petiprin, 2020).

Step 1 = “Unfreeze”: to put aside old ways of doing things. Helping people to do away with old patters or habits, increasing the key need to readdress away from the something has always been done.

Step 2 – “Change” in ways of thinking, acting and/or feeling that is a more productive manner.

Step 3 = “Refreeze” establishing solid actions, ways of doing things or habits in such (firm/solid/established) way that the actions, thoughts or feeling replace the prior. If this is not fully established the olde ways shall become new again ~ not actually replaced per Petiprin, 2020. (side thought: if no fresh trays and water for the “icecubes of life”…trays of ice just left on the counter and melted, but not really dealt with ~ using the same olde water, not a fresh source for fresh cubes to be created)

           Lippitt has a Seven-Step Change Theory that has the foundation of Levin’s change theory [er .

Step 1: Acknowledge (Diagnosis) the problem: come to grips as to the issue or problem by looking at information, data or the big picture to assess what needs to be and that whoever shall be affected by the change is committed to the outcome needed.

Step 2: “Assess the change agent’s motivation and capability for change”: assess what shall be needed to in the process of achieving the change.

Step 3: “Assess the change agent’s motivation, resources, experiences, stamina and dedication”

Step 4: “Select progressive change objectives”: assess what needs to be done, what is needed to achieve accomplish it and how to go about it to get it done.

Step 5: “Explain the role of the change agent to all employees” to assure everyone fully comprehends what is needed and expected of them.

Step 6: “Maintain change”: encourage and welcome interaction from employees

Step 7: “Gradually terminate the helping relationship of the change agent”: due to a full understanding and utilization of change incorporated, the change agent shall not be needed, as the employees shall fully realize the importance of the changes made and shall “take ownership” going forward and sharing the information/new ways/procedures/interventions with others. (per Wisconsin Technical Manner, n.d.)

           The comparison is that Lippitt’s change theory made use of the foundation of Levin’s change theory which was concise and to the point and branched it out to expound upon it, creating a more detailed set of steps (WTCS, n.d.). Although it seems too many steps, Lippitt’s 7-Step Change Theory seems to make most sense, especially in the light of out-patient care regarding Covid-19 at the site of my preceptorship and capstone. The site I am at does not utilize either theory, yet verbalized Lippitt’s theory would work well in most medical settings.

Resources

Petiprin, A. (2020). Kurt Lewin – Nursing theorist. Nursing Theory. https://nursing-theory.org/nursing-theorists/Kurt-Lewin.php

Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) . (n.d.). https://wtcs.pressbooks.pub/nur