Research and Theory in Nursing
The practice of nursing is founded and dependent upon nursing theories and research. Nursing research and nursing theories are dependent on one another and share a co-existing relationship. "Research without theory results in discreet information or data which does not add to the accumulated knowledge of the discipline" (current nursing.com, 2013). Theory assists in guiding the research process, it also forms research questions and aids in the design, analysis, and interpretation of research data (current nursing.com, 2013). With this direct and positive relationship scientist are able to establish nursing practice guidelines. The link between theory, research, and practice is an undeniable one, it is obvious that each relies on the next and are all components that build the foundation of the nursing profession.
Nursing theories are a framework of ideas that aim to describe, predict, and explain the nursing profession (current nursing.com, 2013). Theory not only provides a foundation to nursing practice but it also accumulates knowledge and helps direct the future of nursing (current nursing.com, 2013). Theory improves nursing practice by providing better patient outcomes, guidance for research and education, and promotes healthy communication between nurses and other healthcare professionals. Theory also enhances the professional status of nursing and is a driving force behind the increased education standards for nurses and the push for nurses to peruse an advanced degree in nursing such as a DNP (Doctorate of Nursing Practice). Obtaining a DNP (Doctorate of Nursing Practice) is the newest educational standards for advanced practice nurses. Advanced practice nurses are...
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... improved according to national quality assessment ratings ( Alligood, M. (2011). "Theory-based nursing practice has demonstrated a capacity to structure professional care, unify and simplify communication, save time, clarify decision-making, and reduce nurse staff turnover saving thousands of dollars.( Alligood, M. (2011)..)
In conclusion theory and research are the foundations on which nursing practices are built on. All of these components coexist together and create a framework that outlines the standards and guidelines for the nursing profession. It is essential to incorporate theory and research into nursing practice, at the initial educational point of nursing, and as students prepare for an advanced or doctorate degree in nursing. As new research and theories are created nursing practice and the quality of patient care will continue to improve.
Nursing, as a crucial part of the health care system, keeps evolving while dealing with an increasingly complex clinical situation that involves quality of patient care. Therefore, to successfully handle these scenarios, nursing needs to become more advanced, clinically and academically. A DNP degree is needed in this situation because according to Dunbar- Jacob, Navito & Khalil (2013), a DNP degree is considered to have more impact on nursing than a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree due to the advanced clinical education a DNP provides (p. 425). Hence, the DNP degree has an enormous impact in nursing practice especially in terms of improving clinical care, promoting leadership roles, and improving educational status.
I am delighted in my career as a professional nurse and seeking the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) gives me the opportunity to expand my knowledge base in order to practice at a higher level, and obtain the terminal degree in my profession. My goal is to become an adult nurse practitioner, with primary focus to improve the practice of nursing. The Doctor of Nursing Practice will equip me with knowledge and skills needed to understand and appreciate research and facilitate the process of putting evidence into practice, with the overall goal of achieving improve patient safety, satisfaction and outcomes. The Doctor of Nursing Practice will enable me to assume more leadership role, in practice and in research. I should be able to participate in research and formulate nursing models guided by evidence based practice models of care. Having practiced as a professional nurse for five years, obtaining the Doctor of Nursing Practice gives me the opportunity to foster my professional growth and development.
According to Orem, nursing science is a practical science, in that knowledge is developed for the direct purpose of nursing practice itself (Barbara, 2011). The goal of nursing science is to look for an understanding of the actual realities that are concerning to nurses and the nursing practice (Orem, 2001). We can do this through both research and producing scholarly articles. “Nursing science is the science of which knowledge is developed for the sake of the work to be done” (Barbara, 2011, p. 44). Without the nursing science as the backbone of nursing, the nursing practice would seize to exist, or at least have difficulty staying alive. Nursing science offers nurses the knowledge, skills and competency to develop order and direction in their nursing care (Malinowski, 2002). Models of case studies, rules and standards of practice along with the various
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As healthcare advances, many new roles are becoming available to those who are willing to further their education. The Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) is becoming an increasingly popular role for nurses as they choose to advance their education and want a practice degree versus a professional degree such as in research. The main role of a DNP is to actually put into practice the research that has been done for the discipline (Zaccagnini & White, 2017).
Nursing theories developed by scientists provide a framework for the process of establishing nursing as a profession with a specific body of knowledge including nursing language, and nurse is able to communicate inside in and outside of the profession. Theory supports and defines nursing practice and is used in practice situation to provide solution to the problem, provides guidelines in patient’s quality care, and helps to resolve nursing challenges. The benefits of middle-range theories found primarily in the research studies to address particular client population, in education, patient
Nursing theory can be applied to resolve nursing problems or issues, irrespective of the field of practice. A nursing theory benefits nurses and the patients that are in his or her charge. . Depending on the issue or problem that is needed to be solved determines what theory needs to be used. Nursing theory started with Florence Nightingale. She believed that a clean environment would promote better health. Virginia Henderson’s need theory emphasizes the need to ensure that the patient’s independence is being increased while in a health care facility. Ensuring that a patient can increase his or her independence allows for them to experience better outcomes upon discharge home. This is just two examples of nursing theories that were used
The nursing profession is considered both an art and a science. An example of the science of nursing is the theory and evidence based practice guidelines (EBP), which influence a nurses practice. The art of nursing is fluid of bringing science and patient care into nursing practice. Nurses in all levels of nursing educational programs should study nursing theory. According to Eun-Ok (2015) theory evaluation has declined and it is essential to developing nursing knowledge; which, leads to the development of nursing discipline. Nursing theory should be continually evolving as current health care trends evolve. The best way to accomplish this is through incorporating theory in academia and nursing
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Theory’s responsibility is to provide nurses with standards that reinforce practice, as well as, for future nursing understanding and delivery. Basically, it provides nursing professionals with a tested way of thought on how to handle certain situations with proven results. The importance of nursing theories to nursing research is the knowledge offered gives nurses the foundation for communicating with others and best practice. Middle range theory according to McEwen & Wills (2011, p 35) are theories that have concrete concepts, that are specific, incorporate a measured number of concepts and characteristics of the real world and are tested for accuracy.
To make good nursing decisions, nurses require an internal roadmap with knowledge of nursing theories. Nursing theories, models, and frameworks play a significant role in nursing, and they are created to focus on meeting the client’s needs for nursing care. According to McEwen and Wills (2014), conceptual models and theories could create mechanisms, guide nurses to communicate better, and provide a “systematic means of collecting data to describe, explain, and predict” about nursing and its practice (p. 25). Most of the theories have some common concepts; others may differ from one theory to other. This paper will evaluate two nursing theorists’ main theories include Sister Callista Roy’s