: Culture and Caring Theories

NR 501 Week 5 Discussion: Culture and Caring Theories NR 501 Week 5 discussion: Select a nursing practice area then identify a non-nursing (borrowed) theory; and apply it to the area you have selected. Be sure to provide an example of how the non-nursing theory can be used to enhance the selected practice area. Non-nursing or borrowed theories play an important role in nursing today. Borrowed theories are equally as important as nursing theories in clinical practice today. They provide knowledge and enhance nursing practice. As a family nurse practitioner (FNP) it is important to know and understand Erik Erickson’s Developmental Theory. Developmental theory is considered a foundational element in nursing theories and still applies in practice today (McEwen & Wills, 2014). Erickson’s Developmental Theory lists eight stages of development from birth to death that are formed by social influences that effect the physical and psychological maturing of a healthy individual (McEwen & Wills, 2014). This is important in advanced clinical practice as FNP’s see patients of all ages and must be able to assess and verify age appropriateness or arrested development and verify appropriate interpersonal skills and behaviors to address the needs of patients (McEwen & Wills, 2014). Erickson’s theory provides nursing practice with a guideline according to age and the appropriate development associated with that age. “Developmental theory is used throughout the life continuum and can help nurses determine successful aging” (McEwen & Wills, p.311, 2014). The importance of a nurse practioner’s role in Erikson’s Developmental theory is depicted in the article Childhood Grief Related to the Death of a Sibling by Machajewski and Kronk (2013). As previously mentioned, a family nurse practitioner (FNP) provides care for patients of all ages. It this article, the FNP provides care for a sibling survivor in the grieving process from the assistance within the framework of childhood developmental stages according to Erickson’s theory. Knowing the developmental stage of the sibling survivor is the first step to assist in the grieving process (Machajewski & Kronk, 2013). The FNP has a unique position in the care of the sibling survivor related to the developmental stage of the child and the lack of coping strategies and life experiences of the child. The FNP not only cares for the sibling survivor, but the family as well. In order for the FNP to provide the needed support and care, the FNP must be able to combine both compassion and the medical knowledge obtained from advanced training and provide information on a level that the child can understand. Using Erickson’s developmental theory can help FNP’s provide the “physical care and emotional support so that no sibling survivor and family are left to navigate the journey of grief unassisted” (Machajewski & Kronk, 2013, p. 448). Machajewski, V., Kronk, R. (2013) childhood Grief Related to the Death of a Sibling. Journal For Nurse Practioners, 9(7), p.443-448. Doi:10.1016/a.2013.03.020 McEwen, M. & Wills, E. (2014). Theoretical basis for nursing (4th ed.). Philidelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins.