Description
The development of nursing knowledge is an ongoing process. ?
1. Discuss the case for the ongoing development and use of nursing grand theories and, conversely, make a case for the obsolescence of nursing grand theories for today’s practice and research.?
AND REPLY TO THIS PERSON DISCUSSION?
Discussion Week # 1
by Franklin Cala-Anaya – Wednesday, January 17, 2024, 11:24 PM
Number of replies: 0
Discussion Week #1
What are Nursing Theories?
Nursing theories: Are on organized bodies of knowledge to define what nursing is, what nurses do, and why they do it. Nursing theories provide a way to define nursing as a unique discipline that is separate from other disciplines (e.g., medicine). It is a framework of concepts and purposes intended to guide nursing practice at a more concrete and specific level.
Nursing, as a profession, is committed to recognizing its own unparalleled body of knowledge vital to nursing practice—nursing science. To distinguish this foundation of knowledge, nurses need to identify, develop, and understand concepts and theories in line with nursing. As a science, nursing is based on the theory of what nursing is, what nurses do, and why. Nursing is a unique discipline and is separate from medicine. It has its own body of knowledge on which delivery of care is based.
The development of nursing theory demands an understanding of selected terminologies, definitions, and assumptions.
Philosophy. These are beliefs and values that define a way of thinking and are generally known and understood by a group or discipline.
Theory. A belief, policy, or procedure proposed or followed as the basis of action. It refers to a logical group of general propositions used as principles of explanation. Theories are also used to describe, predict, or control phenomena.
Concept. Concepts are often called the building blocks of theories. They are primarily the vehicles of thought that involve images.
Models. Models are representations of the interaction among and between the concepts, showing patterns. They present an overview of the theory’s thinking and may demonstrate how theory can be introduced into practice.
Conceptual framework. A conceptual framework is a group of related ideas, statements, or concepts. It is typically used interchangeably with the conceptual model and with grand theories.
Proposition. Propositions are statements that describe the relationship between the concepts.
Domain. The domain is the perspective or territory of a profession or discipline.
Process. Processes are organized steps, changes, or functions intended to bring about the desired result.
Paradigm. A paradigm refers to a pattern of shared understanding and assumptions about reality and the world, worldview, or widely accepted value system.
Metaparadigm. A metaparadigm is the most general statement of discipline and functions as a framework in which the more restricted structures of conceptual models develop. Much of the theoretical work in nursing focused on articulating relationships among four major concepts: person, environment, health, and nursing.
A “nursing theory” is a description or explanation of an area of professional nursing. This description or explanation is proposed systematically to provide the broadest and most practical information for use in nursing practice and research. They are useful. OK, but it appears that many of them are not practical in a real environment like a hospital or a clinic.
The most significant impediment to successful implementation of any nursing theory in clinical situations is attempting to use the incorrect theory or paradigm in a particular nursing situation.
Lack of a Comprehensive Philosophy: Professional nurses in all disciplines and at all positions of leadership must treat patient care in a complementary manner. There is no way to apply a single theory to all kinds of all types of patient conditions. Unfortunately, many nurses do not have a sufficient knowledge or understanding of the types of nursing theories to employ them effectively. This lack of comprehension may indicate a lack of educational background, resulting in poor patient care.
Misapplication of General Theories. When a nurse encounters a particular patient situation or, it may be an error, or an obstacle to successful implementation, to apply a grand theory.
Limitations of Middle-range Theories. Middle-range nursing theories are models that can be applied to professional practice. They also act as testing frameworks for research. Middle-range theories include specific concepts and provide strategies for delivering quality patient care. Though middle-range theories are less generalized than grand theories, the most significant obstacle to their successful application is that they do not deal with specific populations of patients and any specific problems. As a result, while these theories can be a useful guidance for nurses, they cannot be extended to specific or special health-care concerns.
Unreasonable Expectations from Practical Theories. Nurse practice theories are constructions that deal with questions that pertain to particular and specific issues, settings, and communities. However, they have a flaw in that they have nothing to do with basic nursing philosophies and science. New or improved techniques are often used to solve problems. While these techniques can be useful, such improvisation may waste a lot of time.
References:
Quinn Griffin, M. T., & Landers, M. G. (2015). Extant nursing models and theories: Grand and middle range theories in nursing. Theories Guiding Nursing Research and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1891/9780826164056.0002
Quinn Griffin, M. T., & Landers, M. G. (2015). Extant nursing models and theories: Grand and middle range theories in nursing. Theories Guiding Nursing Research and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1891/9780826164056.0002
– What are Nursing Theories?
Ø Nursing theories: Are on organized bodies of knowledge to define what nursing is, what nurses do, and why they do it. Nursing theories provide a way to define nursing as a unique discipline that is separate from other disciplines (e.g., medicine). It is a framework of concepts and purposes intended to guide nursing practice at a more concrete and specific level.
Ø Nursing, as a profession, is committed to recognizing its own unparalleled body of knowledge vital to nursing practice—nursing science. To distinguish this foundation of knowledge, nurses need to identify, develop, and understand concepts and theories in line with nursing. As a science, nursing is based on the theory of what nursing is, what nurses do, and why. Nursing is a unique discipline and is separate from medicine. It has its own body of knowledge on which delivery of care is based.
– The development of nursing theory demands an understanding of selected terminologies, definitions, and assumptions.
ü Philosophy. These are beliefs and values that define a way of thinking and are generally known and understood by a group or discipline.
ü Theory. A belief, policy, or procedure proposed or followed as the basis of action. It refers to a logical group of general propositions used as principles of explanation. Theories are also used to describe, predict, or control phenomena.
ü Concept. Concepts are often called the building blocks of theories. They are primarily the vehicles of thought that involve images.
ü Models. Models are representations of the interaction among and between the concepts showing patterns. They present an overview of the theory’s thinking and may demonstrate how theory can be introduced into practice.
ü Conceptual framework. A conceptual framework is a group of related ideas, statements, or concepts. It is often used interchangeably with the conceptual model and with grand theories.
ü Proposition. Propositions are statements that describe the relationship between the concepts.
ü Domain. The domain is the perspective or territory of a profession or discipline.
ü Process. Processes are organized steps, changes, or functions intended to bring about the desired result.
ü Paradigm. A paradigm refers to a pattern of shared understanding and assumptions about reality and the world, worldview, or widely accepted value system.
ü Metaparadigm. A metaparadigm is the most general statement of discipline and functions as a framework in which the more restricted structures of conceptual models develop. Much of the theoretical work in nursing focused on articulating relationships among four major concepts: person, environment, health, and nursing.
– A “nursing theory” is a description or explanation of an area of professional nursing. This description or explanation is proposed in a systematic way to provide the broadest and most practical information for use in nursing practice and research. They are useful. OK, but it appears that many of them are not practical in a real environment like a hospital or a clinic.
ü The most significant impediment to successful implementation of any nursing theory in clinical situations is attempting to use the incorrect theory or paradigm in a particular nursing situation.
§ Lack of a Comprehensive Philosophy:
Professional nurses in all disciplines and at all positions of leadership must treat patient care in a complementary manner. There is no way to apply a single theory to all kinds of all types of patient conditions. Unfortunately, many nurses do not have a sufficient knowledge of understanding of the types of nursing theories to employ them effectively. This lack of comprehension may indicate a lack of educational background, resulting in poor patient care.
§ Misapplication of General Theories
When a nurse encounters a particular patient situation or, it may be an error, or an obstacle to successful implementation, to apply a grand theory.
§ Limitations of Middle-range Theories:
Middle-range nursing theories are models that can be applied to professional practice. They also act as testing frameworks for research. Middle-range theories include specific concepts and provide strategies for delivering quality patient care.
Though middle-range theories are less generalized than grand theories, the most significant obstacle to their successful application is that they do not deal with specific populations of patients and any specific problems. As a result, while these theories can be a useful guidance for nurses, they cannot be extended to specific or special health-care problems.
§ Unreasonable Expectations from Practical Theories.
Nurse practice theories are constructions that deal with questions that pertain to particular and specific issues, settings, and communities. However, they have a flaw in that they have nothing to do with basic nursing philosophies and science. New or improvised techniques are often used to solve problems. While these techniques can be useful, such improvisation may waste a lot of time.
Often patients in emergency situations do not have time to lose.
References:
Quinn Griffin, M. T., & Landers, M. G. (2015). Extant nursing models and theories: Grand and middle range theories in nursing. Theories Guiding Nursing Research and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1891/9780826164056.0002
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