NUR502 TOPIC 3 DISCUSSION QUESTION 1

NUR502 TOPIC 3 DISCUSSION QUESTION 1 Discuss the value of nursing theory to the profession of nursing. Identify one way in which you could use nursing theory to improve your practice (present or future role). Provide a reference for your response. There are many advantages for applying nursing theory to practice. Theories help provide nurses with a basis for making decisions in the workplace. According to Denisco and Barker, theory also contributes to more efficient and effective nursing practice and enhanced nurses' professional autonomy and accountability" (p.428, 2016). Nursing theory helps improve the quality of care patients receive. Florence Nightingale was the 1st nursing theorist, and believed that the environment played a huge role in patient outcomes (Mcwen&Willis, 2011). This is used everyday in nursing today. We ensure that the hospital rooms are kept cleans and bedding is changed every day for example. Even though this is simple, it has made a huge change in patient health and wellness. One other theory that Nightingale created was in reference to teaching patients along with showing them how to handle a specific situation (Mcwen&Willis, 2011). I use this in my workplace in the ER and make sure that patients actually understand discharge instructions. This also helps decrease frequent admissions into the hospitals if patients understand in detail. It is said in Denisco and Barker that "Aggleton and Chalmers (1986) claim that providing nursing care without theory base is like 'practicing in the dark' " (p.428, 2016). Theory distinguishes our profession from any other profession and ensures we do care with a purpose. Nursing changes everyday and it is important to remember to maintain an open mind and use theory as a reference when doing any care in nursing. I will use nursing theory to improve my practice in my current and future role by paying close attention to the environment that a patient and their family atlre in when making decisions. This goes back to looking at the whole picture and recognizing each person is an individual. Nursing practice has to do with the application of knowledge and caring for patients sincerely and the theory used in the practice improves the quality of life in a patient. DeNisco, S. and Barker, A. (2016). Advanced Practice Nursing: Essential Knowledge for the Profession. 3rd ed. Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2011). Theoretical basis for nursing. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.