NR 501 Week 1: Importance of Theory in Nursing

NR 501 Week 1: Importance of Theory in Nursing For many students enrolled in NR501, this is an initial course for nursing theory. So, let’s have a debate. Is nursing theory important to the nursing profession? If you believe that it is important, explain why it is useful. If you do not believe that it is useful, explain why nursing theory is not necessary to the profession? Be sure to provide an example that demonstrates your opinion and a scholarly reference (not using the required textbook or lesson) which supports your opinion. Hello Professor and Classmates, Most of us were first exposed to nursing theory early in our education, for me that was greater than 20 years ago. Though my first exposure to theory was quite some time ago it is a part of the work I do every day as a nurse leader. Theory is essential today and for the future growth of our profession. Nursing theory supports the practice we do every day. It provides a foundation for practice and is critical to high quality patient care. Theory helps the nursing profession understand and define their roles in the healthcare setting. It is critical to education, research and helps us as professionals determine what is already known, and what more can we will learn to grow and improve safe patient care and patient experience. For example, I believe Jean Watson’s Theory of Caring can help drive excellent patient satisfaction scores. The Theory of Caring is based around a trans-personal nurse/ patient relationship. This theory assists the nurse in seeing the patient as an individual and providing holistic care. Making connections with the patient and being truly present in the moment with the patient. Patient experience is often based on relationships, relationships with nurses and providers (Ortiz, 2020). Patient centered care is focused on understanding a patient’s perspectives and decisions and advocating for them while setting aside your personal feelings. The nursing profession is based around the art and science of caring. When nurses take the time to get to know a patient as an individual by listening, making real personal connections, they build a mutual trust and respect. When patient’s feel valued and understood as a person, they will feel highly satisfied which will result in high patient satisfaction experiences and scores. As healthcare continues change rapidly it will be critical to patient satisfaction to always incorporate Jean Watson's Theory of Caring into the care we deliver. Oritz, M. (2020). Patient Engagement, Nursing Theory, and Policy Possibilities. Nursing Science Quarterly 33(3), 268- 271. https://eds-b-ebscohost- Responses for week 1 As a student in the nurse executive track I know that patient safety, expectations, and financial pressures all require the delivery of high-quality patient care. As a nurse leader it will be important that I ensure the nursing sensitive indicators (NSI’s) that my organization is focused on are relevant to the areas participating in the care. I will need to collaborate and partner with leaders and front-line nursing team members to ensure as a team we have a plan to embed and sustain the use of the NSI in the clinical care we provide. Nursing theories will be used to develop strategies and workflows for the care we want to provide. That care will align with our identified outcomes As a nurse leader my plan to ensure NSI’s remain at the forefront of the care provided daily is to involve front-Iine team members in the development, ongoing evaluation and education associated with NSI’s. I want my high performing, engaged team members involved in or leading these committees and teams. I want them to champion, lead and be the resource on their teams on a unit level. Additionally, I think it’s important our nursing teams understand the why behind the processes and the goals associated with them. I think sharing the progress of the nursing contributions to the quality outcomes helps bring value to the process and goal. Sharing of data and progress should be ongoing at unit level, through meetings, weekly communications and posting in the department. Every team member should understand and be able to speak to the departments quality projects and how they contribute to them.