Title: Why is Nursing Theory Important to Your Practice? | LPNtoBSNonline.org
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Why is Nursing Theory Important to Your Practice?
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Content: Nursing theories utilize a logical structure of ideas, hypotheses and assumptions that can be applied to a variety of situations. These theoretical structures can serve as a basis for nursing practice, patient care, professional development, education, nursing research, or administrative decision-making. As a body of knowledge, nursing theories provide a wide array of conceptual structures on which nurses or organizations can hang their metaphorical hats. Some well-known nursing theories and theorists include: Dr. Jean Watson, whose “ caring model ” emphasizes the humanistic aspects of nursing in combination with scientific knowledge. This theory sees the patient as a holistic being (body, mind and spirit), and recommends treating the patient with positive regard and unconditional acceptance. Dorothea Orem popularized a theory of centered on the notion that nursing interventions are geared towards assisting patients in re-establishing their ability to provide their own self-care and recover their health from a place of deficit. Callista Roy propagated the adaptation theory of nursing in which the patient is seen as a “ biopsychosocial being ” who is constantly adapting to a changing environment. Although these theories can seem abstract and a far cry from the nuts and bolts of daily nursing practice, theories can provide a very useful framework for your individual practice or your facility’s approach to patient care. If your facility or unit does not adhere to a specific nursing theory, perhaps the exploration of various theories may yield a theory that speaks to your facility’s goals and norms of practice.