The prescriptive theory by Wiedebach is one of the most suitable theory that supports the proposed solution “i.e. improving the staffing levels of nurses so as to reduce the occurrence of adverse events and subsequently enhance the outcomes of patients”. The theory stresses the need to identify the patient needs specifically through observing behaviors that influence the outcomes of patients (McEwen, 2013). In the light of this the theory provides a framework for examining the problem or behaviors that have a significant impact with respect the outcomes of patients so as to develop a solution that focuses on alleviating the problem or modifying the behaviors and subsequently enhance the overall patient outcomes.
Essentially, the theory comprises of four key elements pertaining to nursing that include; a philosophy, a practice, a purpose as well as the art (Alligood, 2014). According to the theory, the philosophy of nurses is basically their beliefs as well as attitudes in regard to life, respect for worth and how a nurse acts in seeking solutions to their held beliefs while the nurse’s purpose is predominantly whatever the nurse wishes to attain through his/her actions. On the other hand, the practice describes the observable action of nurses that are usually affected by their inherent feelings as well as beliefs with regard to meeting the needs of patients while the art encompasses effectively understanding the concerns of patients by nurses (McEwen, 2013). Subsequently the nurses’ ability to develop appropriate actions and goals that are intended to satisfy the needs of patients and enhance their overall conditions. More importantly, the theory emphasizes the need for nurses to make a sound decisions as well as appropriate clinical judgments through assessing and analyzing the cause as well as the effect of the identified issue (Shaban, 2015). In the light of this, utilization of the theory will help healthcare professionals especially nurses in addressing the issue of nurse staffing and thereby enhance the patient outcomes.
With regard to this, the theory provides an appropriate framework for nurses as well as nurse leaders to effectively assess their behaviors as well as the needs of patients aimed at enhancing the outcomes of patents. Thus, the theory shall help in effectively assessing the behavior of nurses and their impact on the outcomes of patents. As such, incorporating the theory into practice shall help nurses to assess their environment specifically the patient-nurse ratio and its impact on the overall patient outcomes. For instance, assessing the key outcome measures such as mortality rates, length of stay in the hospitals as well as well as the occurrence of adverse events shall help determine the effect of nurse staffing on the outcomes of patients. Subsequently, this will provide a framework for developing the appropriate approach to enhance the outcomes of patients and minimize the occurrence of adverse events specifically by improving the staffing levels of nurses. Moreover, application of the theory into practice shall help in identifying other nursing aspects such as skills mix and their impact on the outcomes of patents and develop the relevant and suitable approaches to improve the conditions of patients. On the other hand, assessing the effects of nurse staffing in regard to the patient outcomes and subsequently improving the patient-nurse ratio will help to improve the working condition of nurses, minimize burnout and improve nurse retention whereby this shall provide a myriad of benefits to patients, nurses as well as the entire healthcare system.
References
McEwen, M. (2013). Theoretical frameworks for research. Nursing Research: Methods and Critical Appraisal for Evidence-Based Practice, 75.
Shaban, R. (2015). Theories of clinical judgment and decision-making: A review of the theoretical literature. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine,3(1).
Alligood, M. R. (2014). Nursing theorists and their work. Elsevier Health Sciences.
