Part 1
How does the use of theory and theory development in nursing advance the profession’s foundational knowledge?
Nursing practice is both an art and science of holistic health care. For example, nursing as a science is arrived at through theory development, research as well as logical analysis. Nursing theories are important in the profession of nursing. In essence, they define the body of nursing knowledge, promote knowledge development and aim to give directions to nursing practice (Kurzen, 2005). Additionally, nursing and supporting theories are necessary to guide and improve nursing practice.
First, the art of nursing practice is achieved through various therapeutic interventions and creative use of knowledge in human care (Kurzen, 2005). Professional nurses use both critical thinking and clinical judgment to provide evidence based care to patients, families and communities in different nursing settings. Therefore, clinical judgment skills are essential in advancing professional nursing practice.
Secondly, human caring is the central focus of professional nursing practice. It is referred as the concern and empathy as well as a commitment to the patient’ life experience of health and disease. For example, a professional nurse is an active partner in the human care transactions throughout their lifetime. Human care transactions protect, enhance and preserve human dignity. On the other hand, human caring is the commitment to care, knowledge advancement as well as consequences. Therefore, in the nursing profession, human caring is the source of power.
Thirdly, nurses are expected to be independent and use the power to shape their profession. Also, professional nurses are required to empower their clients especially through caring partnerships. In essence, use of theories in the nursing profession is capacity to participate knowingly in the nature of change. It is characterized through creation of awareness, advocacy, choice, healing and involvement in several changes.
Normally, nurses use critical thinking to facilitate translation of knowledge and skills into practice. The expected deliberative behaviors include observation, reflection, caring, empowering and choice of alternative actions (Fawcett, 2005). In addition, the nursing profession incorporates intellectual, interpersonal and communication skills in caring patients.
Finally, the ultimate goal of nursing is the enhancement of health potential in human beings. Furthermore, excellence in the nursing profession requires commitment, critical thinking and caring attitude. Therefore, professional nurses are obligated to provide diagnostic, technologic, supportive, as well as therapeutic care.
Part 2
Question 1: How nurses improve their professional knowledge while implementing nursing theory?
The attending nurse caring model in nursing settings integrates caring approach as an ethical base that grounds professional nurses in a given world view. First, it allows the emergence of a collective vision whereby shared knowledge, values, goals and advanced caring therapeutics extend in the practice settings. Secondly, a culture of shared knowledge and values guide caring practices that have a foundation in both theory and evidence (Barker, 2009). Therefore, this approach helps to translate theory and evidence into advanced nursing therapeutic practices. In addition, implementing theories advances caring practices in the nursing profession, as well as independent care patterns and goals.
Evidence- based nursing practice theory has become necessary in the nursing profession (Cowen, 2011). It is required to meet the increased demands of health care trends and patient needs. Evidence-based practice utilizes critical thinking and evaluation for making clinical decisions that enhance patient care interventions. In addition, specialty in the nursing profession provides an added credential that shows a professional nurse has acquired specialized knowledge.
References
Barker, A. M. (2009). Advanced practice nursing: Essential knowledge for the profession. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Burkhardt, M. A., & Nathaniel, A. K. (2008). Ethics & issues in contemporary nursing. Clifton Park, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning.
Cherry, B., & Jacob, S. R. (2008). Contemporary nursing: Issues, trends & management. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby/Elsevier.
Cowen, P. S. (2011). Current issues in nursing. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby Elsevier.
Fawcett, J. (2005). Contemporary nursing knowledge: Analysis and evaluation of nursing models and theories. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Co.
Kurzen, C. R. (2005). Contemporary practical/vocational nursing. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
