Katharine Kolcaba's Mark on Nursing

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Nursing theorist provide nurses and nursing students with a framework upon which to view the practice of nursing. (Hood, L. & Leddy, S., 2006, p. 107) The nursing theorist provides us with an understanding of why and how nursing actions should be practiced with the patient foremost in mind. When investigating the various theories of nursing practice, Katharine Kolcaba stands out of the pack with her focus on comfort. Katharine Kolcaba’s theory touches on the external and internal processes that culminate in the patient perception of comfort lead to an integrated approach to health care. Katharine Kolcaba is a remarkable woman that has left a mark on nursing. Her passion for comfort is something all nurses need to embrace. This paper will explore the life and work of Katharine Kolcaba. Katharine Kolcaba lists one of the most influential events in her life as the death of her father when she was eight years old (Kolcaba K. , Frequently Asked Questions, 2010). This event led to her being raised without her father. She contributes her desire to work in gerontology to her paternal grandmother, whom she visited every summer (Kolcaba K. , Frequently Asked Questions, 2010). She decided to go into nursing in high school, because she liked people and had an aptitude for science (Kolcaba K. , Frequently Asked Questions, 2010). She also received a full scholarship to a diploma program, which allowed her to help her brother with his tuition at a state university (Kolcaba K. , Frequently Asked Questions, 2010). She did not focus on her graduate studies until her late thirties, waiting until her children were older and more independent (Kolcaba K. , Frequently Asked Questions, 2010). She credits her work with dementia patients to l... ... middle of paper ... ...994). A theory of holistic comfort for nursing. Joumal of Advanced Nursing,, 19, 1178-1184. Kolcaba, K. (2001, March). Evolution of the Mid Range Theory of Comfort for Outcomes Research. Nursing Outlook, 49(2), 86-92. Kolcaba, K. (2010, July 27). Curriculum Vita of Katharine Y. Kolcaba. Retrieved July 09, 2011, from Comfort Line: http://www.thecomfortline.com/files/Kolcaba%20Curriculum%20Vitae.pdf Kolcaba, K. (2010). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved July 19, 2011, from The Comfort Line. com: http://www.thecomfortline.com/home/faq.html#personal Kolcaba, K. (2010). The Comfort Line. Retrieved July 19, 2011, from The Comfort Line: http://www.thecomfortline.com/home/intro.html Kolcaba, K., Tilton, C., and Drouin, C. (2006, November). Comfort Theory A Unifying Framework to Enhance the Practice Environment. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 36(11), 538-544.

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