PRV TASK 3 – COMPLETE SOLUTION GUIDE
2025/2026
A. Identify a nursing theory that has influenced your values and goals.
1. Explain how nurses apply the identified theory from part A to implement excellent nursing
practices.
2. Discuss how the identified theory from part A fits your professional practice.
Nursing theory is defined as, “A belief, policy, or procedure proposed or followed as the basis of
action”. There are many nursing theories, but they all have one thing in common, they allow us to
examine what is already known and use additional skills and experiences to provide the best patient
care. Nurses use theories in their everyday practice without even thinking about it. As a practicing
nurse, I find the theory of Hildegard E. Peplau most effective. Her theory focuses on the nurse-patient
relationship, with the nurse being the primary resource for the patient from beginning to end. Referred
to as an interpersonal relationship theory, it concludes that stressful environments cause anxiety, which
prevents the patient’s condition from improving. To combat this, it is the nurse’s duty to reduce stress
through therapeutic interpersonal interaction and mutual goal setting. The nurse has many roles which
encompass everything the patient needs beginning from a stranger who must provide an atmosphere to
build trust, the main resource for answers/information, educator, counselor, an active leader helping to
meet treatment goals and the technical expert providing physical care. Peplau’s model requires the
nurse to have self-awareness and insight to their own behaviors. In nursing school, I was taught to
always treat the patient as a whole because fixing physical ailments are just one part of treating a
person. Illness takes a toll emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and just because a person is cancer free
does not mean they are cured. As a practicing nurse, I find Hildegard’s theory to be effective. Working in
a short-term rehab unit, I see many positive outcomes related to the patient-centered care I provide. My
patients often complain about other nurses, saying are just “medication pushers.” I make it my duty to
provide a comfortable atmosphere where I can address concerns related to treatments, medications,
goals, as well as personal or family stressors that are burdensome and often hold patients back from
reaching their full potential. I make sure they know I am always available. Education is important for
positive long-term outcomes. Providing my patients and their families with knowledge about their
comorbidities has been effective in improving outcomes. In particular, one patient’s wife couldn’t
understand why her husband’s blood sugars were so high. I explained to her that the pasta he was
eating would be converted to glucose which would spike his sugars, which to my surprise was something
she was completely unaware of. This was a learning moment for me also because it reminded me that
education can be that simple and is an
important part of nursing.
B. Identify the contributions of two historical nursing figures in the nineteenth or twentieth century.
1. Compare the differences in contributions of the two historical figures identified in part B.
2. Describe how the contributions of the two historical figures influence your professional
nursing practice.
There are many historical nursing figures who contributed to nursing theory by being pioneers in
the field. The two that stick out to me are Linda Richards and Dorothea Dix. Linda Richards has made
many contributions to nursing. However, she is most well known for being the first professionally trained
nurse and the use or written records. Before 1923, nurses were not required to be formally trained and
acquired all their training through family and field experience. They worked long 16-our shifts and were
, expected to be on call 24 hours a day (Hanink, 2019). Their duties also included cleaning and laundry.
Most knew nothing of symptoms or medication (Hanink, 2019). Richards felt nurses should be more
educated and their profession more highly regarded. She started the first training school at Boston
Massachusetts General Hospital, which was a success. Here she also began night duty shifts so nurses
would not have to be on call 24 hours. Thereafter, Richards continued to created training programs
around the country and even started one in Japan. Linda Richards was also responsible for the use of
the written record, which has evolved today to become electronic, but still a major aspect of nursing.
Before the written record all physician’s orders and reports were all verbal (Hanink, 2019). This led to
confusion and misinterpretation. Richards started presenting her reports in written form and one doctor
loved it so much it became standard (Hanink, 2019). Like Richards, Dorothea Dix was also a pioneer in
nursing. However, her contributions were geared toward the treatment of the mentally ill. While
teaching Sunday school at East Cambridge Jail, she was appalled at the conditions of the prisoners. After
ensuring the prisoners there had heat during the cold months, she began traveling around the state of
Massachusetts researching the conditions of prisons and poorhouses. She created a document which
she presented to state legislature to increase the budget to expand the State Mental Hospital at
Worcester. Subsequently, Hix started lobbying around the country to establish more humane asylums for
the mentally ill. It was her belief that humane and therapeutic care for the mentally ill would increase
positive treatment outcomes (Reddi, 2018). She pushed for quality mental health nursing with a holistic
approach. While visiting these institutions, she would make it her duty to reorganize, restaff, educate
and train employees (Reddi, 2018). Her actions set a standard for the proper care of mentally ill. Linda
Richards and Dorothea Hix were both pioneers in the nursing field, even though their interests were in
different arenas. Both pushed for education, although Richards pushed for formal education for woman
becoming nurses and Dix pushed for education of nurses specific to the mentally ill. As seen above, their
contributions were in completely different fields. However, they both are pioneers in the field of
nursing. Their contributions influence me as a practicing nurse today. The written record, which is now
electronic, is a major part of nursing. From the first day of nursing school it was made clear
documentation would be half the job. “If you didn’t document it, you didn’t do it,” is a saying I have
heard hundreds of times, especially as a practicing nurse. Nurses must document everything. Formal
education has been a never-ending process for me from the start. I completed nursing school, receiving
my degree as an RN. Living in New York, it is required by all hospitals that nurses obtain higher
education, therefore I immediately began my BSN shortly after graduating nursing school. My current
job also continuously provides formal training on everything from wound care to written policy.
Dorothea Hix’s theory of providing a therapeutic atmosphere to the mentally ill for more positive
outcomes for treatment is a practice that has been proven effective and that I use in the facility I work.
My job has a unit specifically for people with mental illness. I have seen firsthand how a holistic
approach and comforting environment creates positive outcomes. My residents are less aggressive and
respond better to treatment of illnesses, wounds, etc.
C. Explain the functional differences between the State Board of Nursing and the American Nurses
Association (ANA).
1. Define the roles of these two organizations.
2. Explain how these two organizations influence your nursing practice.
3. Explain the requirements for professional license renewal in your state.
a. Discuss the consequences of failure to maintain license requirements in your state.
2025/2026
A. Identify a nursing theory that has influenced your values and goals.
1. Explain how nurses apply the identified theory from part A to implement excellent nursing
practices.
2. Discuss how the identified theory from part A fits your professional practice.
Nursing theory is defined as, “A belief, policy, or procedure proposed or followed as the basis of
action”. There are many nursing theories, but they all have one thing in common, they allow us to
examine what is already known and use additional skills and experiences to provide the best patient
care. Nurses use theories in their everyday practice without even thinking about it. As a practicing
nurse, I find the theory of Hildegard E. Peplau most effective. Her theory focuses on the nurse-patient
relationship, with the nurse being the primary resource for the patient from beginning to end. Referred
to as an interpersonal relationship theory, it concludes that stressful environments cause anxiety, which
prevents the patient’s condition from improving. To combat this, it is the nurse’s duty to reduce stress
through therapeutic interpersonal interaction and mutual goal setting. The nurse has many roles which
encompass everything the patient needs beginning from a stranger who must provide an atmosphere to
build trust, the main resource for answers/information, educator, counselor, an active leader helping to
meet treatment goals and the technical expert providing physical care. Peplau’s model requires the
nurse to have self-awareness and insight to their own behaviors. In nursing school, I was taught to
always treat the patient as a whole because fixing physical ailments are just one part of treating a
person. Illness takes a toll emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and just because a person is cancer free
does not mean they are cured. As a practicing nurse, I find Hildegard’s theory to be effective. Working in
a short-term rehab unit, I see many positive outcomes related to the patient-centered care I provide. My
patients often complain about other nurses, saying are just “medication pushers.” I make it my duty to
provide a comfortable atmosphere where I can address concerns related to treatments, medications,
goals, as well as personal or family stressors that are burdensome and often hold patients back from
reaching their full potential. I make sure they know I am always available. Education is important for
positive long-term outcomes. Providing my patients and their families with knowledge about their
comorbidities has been effective in improving outcomes. In particular, one patient’s wife couldn’t
understand why her husband’s blood sugars were so high. I explained to her that the pasta he was
eating would be converted to glucose which would spike his sugars, which to my surprise was something
she was completely unaware of. This was a learning moment for me also because it reminded me that
education can be that simple and is an
important part of nursing.
B. Identify the contributions of two historical nursing figures in the nineteenth or twentieth century.
1. Compare the differences in contributions of the two historical figures identified in part B.
2. Describe how the contributions of the two historical figures influence your professional
nursing practice.
There are many historical nursing figures who contributed to nursing theory by being pioneers in
the field. The two that stick out to me are Linda Richards and Dorothea Dix. Linda Richards has made
many contributions to nursing. However, she is most well known for being the first professionally trained
nurse and the use or written records. Before 1923, nurses were not required to be formally trained and
acquired all their training through family and field experience. They worked long 16-our shifts and were
, expected to be on call 24 hours a day (Hanink, 2019). Their duties also included cleaning and laundry.
Most knew nothing of symptoms or medication (Hanink, 2019). Richards felt nurses should be more
educated and their profession more highly regarded. She started the first training school at Boston
Massachusetts General Hospital, which was a success. Here she also began night duty shifts so nurses
would not have to be on call 24 hours. Thereafter, Richards continued to created training programs
around the country and even started one in Japan. Linda Richards was also responsible for the use of
the written record, which has evolved today to become electronic, but still a major aspect of nursing.
Before the written record all physician’s orders and reports were all verbal (Hanink, 2019). This led to
confusion and misinterpretation. Richards started presenting her reports in written form and one doctor
loved it so much it became standard (Hanink, 2019). Like Richards, Dorothea Dix was also a pioneer in
nursing. However, her contributions were geared toward the treatment of the mentally ill. While
teaching Sunday school at East Cambridge Jail, she was appalled at the conditions of the prisoners. After
ensuring the prisoners there had heat during the cold months, she began traveling around the state of
Massachusetts researching the conditions of prisons and poorhouses. She created a document which
she presented to state legislature to increase the budget to expand the State Mental Hospital at
Worcester. Subsequently, Hix started lobbying around the country to establish more humane asylums for
the mentally ill. It was her belief that humane and therapeutic care for the mentally ill would increase
positive treatment outcomes (Reddi, 2018). She pushed for quality mental health nursing with a holistic
approach. While visiting these institutions, she would make it her duty to reorganize, restaff, educate
and train employees (Reddi, 2018). Her actions set a standard for the proper care of mentally ill. Linda
Richards and Dorothea Hix were both pioneers in the nursing field, even though their interests were in
different arenas. Both pushed for education, although Richards pushed for formal education for woman
becoming nurses and Dix pushed for education of nurses specific to the mentally ill. As seen above, their
contributions were in completely different fields. However, they both are pioneers in the field of
nursing. Their contributions influence me as a practicing nurse today. The written record, which is now
electronic, is a major part of nursing. From the first day of nursing school it was made clear
documentation would be half the job. “If you didn’t document it, you didn’t do it,” is a saying I have
heard hundreds of times, especially as a practicing nurse. Nurses must document everything. Formal
education has been a never-ending process for me from the start. I completed nursing school, receiving
my degree as an RN. Living in New York, it is required by all hospitals that nurses obtain higher
education, therefore I immediately began my BSN shortly after graduating nursing school. My current
job also continuously provides formal training on everything from wound care to written policy.
Dorothea Hix’s theory of providing a therapeutic atmosphere to the mentally ill for more positive
outcomes for treatment is a practice that has been proven effective and that I use in the facility I work.
My job has a unit specifically for people with mental illness. I have seen firsthand how a holistic
approach and comforting environment creates positive outcomes. My residents are less aggressive and
respond better to treatment of illnesses, wounds, etc.
C. Explain the functional differences between the State Board of Nursing and the American Nurses
Association (ANA).
1. Define the roles of these two organizations.
2. Explain how these two organizations influence your nursing practice.
3. Explain the requirements for professional license renewal in your state.
a. Discuss the consequences of failure to maintain license requirements in your state.
