Nursing Theories

Introduction The progress of nursing theories reflects the development of nursing science. Theories go beyond describing professional abilities, and aim for a synthesis which in turn becomes a reference to practitioners. This interplay between theory and practice currently mirrors specific features of our profession: its focus on the individual, the behavior, and the importance of the experiences, considered in a universal way. In consequence, the biological, psychosocial, cultural and spiritual connections of the human beings are the focus of the nursing discipline. This paper offers a nursing view, analyzing main concepts of the professional nursing roles. In any environment where a nurse performs its duties there is a combination of functions. Nurses work as: Health Promoter and Care Provider; Learner and Teacher; Leader and Manager; Patient Advocate; Research Consumer; Colleague and Collaborator. Nursing functions can be also be described by the degree of reliance on other professionals: dependent (based on written orders); independent (when personal judgment comes into play); and interdependent (when the practitioner collaborates with teams and protocols. Health Promotion/Care Provider The role of the nurse as a care provider is aimed at supporting the individual in maintaining their health and help to increase and reach the maximum health potential. The health promotion is a key factor process of permitting people to increase control over their health status in order to improve it. It not only covers the actions directly aimed at increasing the skills and capabilities of individuals, but is also aimed at changing the social, environmental and economic issues that impact on healthy habits. On my ... ... middle of paper ... ...opportunities and fantastic technologies. Advanced nursing education is permitting nurses to be leaders, while more and more aspects of the profession become electronic, such as MAR’s, labs, imaging results and many more. Looking back at the evolution of our profession, one cannot help but wonder about its future. Our health system has become a key political issue, and an even higher rate of change is only to be expected. Nurses will be at the front line of that tidal wave, where challenge and opportunity go hand in hand. References Blais, Kathleen, and Janice S. Hayes.Professional nursing practice: concepts and perspectives. 6th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2011. http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol-17-2012/No2-May-2012/The-New-Millennium-Evolving-and-Emerging-Nursing-Roles.html