NR 501 Week 1 Importance of Theory in Nursing

Sample Answer

I do believe that theory in nursing is very important. Theory has been a part of nursing since the time Florence Nightingale began to change and develop procedures and explanations as to why nurses do what they do. A theory is defined as “a coherent group of tested general propositions, commonly regarded as correct, that can be used as principles of explanation and prediction for a class of phenomena” (Theory [Def. 1], n.d.) Theory in nursing has been an ever-evolving topic. Expanding on reasoning for what we do, why we do stuff, and what affects we do have on our patients. Peplau was a theorist who developed the theory of interpersonal relationships.

Explaining the interactions with the patient as it evolves into a more therapeutic relationship. The nurse and patient start off as strangers in the orientation phase and progress to the exploitation phase where the nurse and patient interact and finally the resolution phase when the care has been provided and the relationship at that time is terminated. This theory is a foundation of each interaction we have with our patients starting the moment that we get our assignment. Peplau “enabled the nurse to begin to move away from the disease model orientation to one where the psychological meaning of events, feelings and behaviors could be explored and incorporated into nursing interventions” (Adams, 2017).

As nurses at the bedside we don’t often think too much about how we are using every day. As explained above the most common theory that has been developed and explained is the foundation to how we interact during the day. There are countless numbers of theories out there that we function based on, but don’t always know it. As identified by Sheri Jacobson, the best way to help nurses make the connection between theory and practice is by helping nurses make the connection using real example of practice (2017). An example she gave was of a nurse who is providing teaching for a patient on how to care for themselves when they leave (i.e. dressing changes, medication administration, exercises, etc.). Without theory in our practice we would have no foundation to go from to guide our practice and care methods.

References

• Adams, L. (2017). Peplau’s Contributions to Psychiatric and Nursing Knowledge. Retrieved December 27, 2017, from http //jmhan.org/index.php/JMHAN/article/view/3
• Jacobson, S. (2017). Building Bridges from Theory to Practice Nursing Theory for Clinical Nurses. Med-Surg Matters, 26(3), 1-15.
  Theory [Def. 1]. (n.d.). Dictionary.com. Retrieved December 26,2017, from http //www.dictionary.com/browse/theory.