Topic 4 Assignment: Nursing Theory

Topic 4 Assignment: Nursing Theory

Nursing theory is important to the profession of nursing and the practice of nurse practitioners. Incorporating nursing theories into the education and practice of advanced practice nurses, this education enhances the knowledge of practicing nurses and provides the basis for competent care to be provided in the practice. Theories in nursing, clarify principles, values, and meaning within the profession. (Iskandarani, 2012). For nurse practitioners to carry out their specific roles, it’s important that the practitioner has a good understanding to apply the theory in practice. In addition to theories being the basis of practice for nurse practitioners to provide excellent care, evidence-based practice will allow the nurse practitioner to make clinical decisions based on most current practices. Whether in educational or clinical settings, nurse practitioners must continue to advance their knowledge of nursing theories and incorporate these theories into a greater understanding of evidence-based practice. As research continues, theories may need advancing or modification, however, the basis of the theory will remain the same. Theory-based education sets a standard for providing care in the workplace. From Nightingale’s Environmental theory to Orem’s Self-Care theory, the overall goal of the nursing theorists is to improve the health and quality of life for patients, by providing a basis for the clinical decisions that nurse practitioners will lead the charge as clinical leaders in healthcare.

References

Iskandarani, L. S., Al Hammadi, A. M., & Al Gizani, R. A. (2012). Importance of nursing theories as a basis for practice. Journal of King Abdulaziz University Medical Sciences, 19(1), 115-123. https://doi.org/10.4197/Med.19-1S.8