NR 501: Application of Theory Paper 3

Nursing theory remains the cornerstone of the nursing profession. Now more than ever nursing knowledge is rapidly undergoing refinement. As the healthcare world continues to transform, nursing professionals are progressively restructuring nursing theory. Nursing theory can be applied as a guide to help restructure and solve nursing practice issues by facilitating reflection, questioning and critical thinking about the effectiveness of what nurses do. Application of theory by nurse leaders and nurse educators can influence outcomes of patient satisfaction scores, patient-care delivery, and workflow design. The grand theory by Betty Neuman can be applied to this challenge. The Betty Neuman’s system model considers a client system (individual, group, or community) working with a nurse to identify stressors, defenses, and adaptations. The Neuman model has identified variables which can interact with the client system (staff nurses) to alter their perception of stressors. These variables are physiological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental, and spiritual (Ume- Nwagbo, DeWan, &Lowry, 2006). Together, the nurse and client system assess actual and potential effects of the environmental stressors and assists the client system with either reducing the risk of the stressor, strengthening the defense lines of resistance, treating the effects, adapting, re-adapting, and/or preventing future occurrences of the stressor (Florczak, K., Poradzisz, M., Hampson, S., 2012). The goal is to maintain stability. The process is dynamic and on-going. Potential outcomes of the Neuman systems model can be detrimental or beneficial.