Nursing theories are propositions relating to nursing which accrue various concepts to explain, describe and guide the practice. Facts from research articulate the purpose of creating and developing a rule in nursing care. Nursing theories may arise from already existing conceptual frameworks of nursing. From there, the concept will evolve into nursing reality in the theorist’s perception or adaption of ideal nursing practices. In essence, theories emanate from a pattern that is familiar with the nursing tradition, which will, in turn, conceptualize into workable practice. Nursing theories are a track record of healthcare aspects practiced and proven over time, therefore, form a reliable source of reference and a guideline in the nursing application.
Literature Review
This section takes into account various literature that differentiates the three major categories of the nursing theories. Grand nursing theory, middle range theory, and practice theory have varied characteristics, but they all are vital to the success of the nursing profession.
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Grand Nursing theory addresses a broader sense both in the nature and objectives of nursing care. In coming up with the theory, health philosophers considered various aspects and with deep insights of the field making it a widely adopted theory across the profession. Grand theory distinguishes the role of a nurse from the expansive medical fraternities thereby deepening the nursing knowledge (Moyle, Rickard, Chambers & Chaboyer, 2015). The theory vests the nursing category with beneficial abilities since it acts as a guiding handbook which helps nurses practice their roles in a manner that is consistent with the dynamic nature of the profession.
In education, health training syllabus and curricula borrow from the grand theory framework. New nursing hints helpful in the administration of healthcare enhance better understanding of the field when incorporated in the training program. The grand theory also evaluates and lays out the basis for which nurses carry out their services. Moyle, Rickard, Chambers & Chaboyer (2015) highlight that the insufficiency of grand theory which is that it is too abstract. However, this forms the basis for further research and development of advanced theories.
David Merton developed the Middle Range Theory in 1968. It is the next level after the grand theory in the structure of nursing theories. The theory is mostly logical. While the grand theory does not sustain empirical testing middle range is appropriate as it is broad enough and useful in breaking down complex situations in nursing care (Slatyer, Coventry, Twigg & Davis, 2016). In respect to the fact that grand theory could not be approved, middle range worked well as its substitute. It is because of its characteristic of narrow scope and bridge between grand theory and the facts underlying nursing phenomena.
Middle range theory is the theorist’s chosen level since it is applied directly to implementations (Slatyer, Coventry, Twigg & Davis, 2016). As such, middle range theories do not go unnoticed. Its shortcoming is that it cannot effectively close the gap that exists between the theory and real practice. Notwithstanding, it has a great possibility for guiding and developing nursing practice.
Practice theory directly affects daily nursing practices. It is limited in the scope of operation, has limited levels of abstraction, and it deals with specific ranges of nursing. The theory provides a guideline for various nursing activities and even suggests the possible outcomes of a specific practice (Moyle, Rickard, Chambers & Chaboyer, 2015). This theory is an outcome of research on the various challenges facing the nursing practice.
Expert nurses are vital in the development of practice theory since their experiences are mature. Their day to day activities is pivotal in developing the theory. Unlike the theories of middle range and grand, practice theory succeeding the two is an outcome of empirical testing (Matney, Avant & Staggers, 2016). Practice theory owes its existence to clinical experiences of nurses who have had an exposure to a reflection process-a process which produces insights that are important, reliable, and adaptable as a foundation for developing a theory.
Discussion
Nursing theories are interrelated. Evert advancement aims at improving a shortcoming witnessed in another. The improvement only means that the ultimate goal is perfection and this will reflect on the profession since they have a direct impact on the practice.
How Nursing Theories can Help Create a Healthy Professional Environment
Nursing theories are meant to turn around the productivity and effectiveness of the nursing staff and in effect the entire nursing environment which includes management and the patients. The theories, therefore, enable the nursing fraternity to streamline all matters pertaining patients and minimize inequalities which arise from discordant operations. The pros of observing and applying theory guidelines in healthcare service delivery are immense since:
The nurses will be able to deeply understand and precisely analyze patient’s data in connection with their needs and requirements.
Nurses will be able to not only make decisions as regards nursing intervention but also projects with an accurate outcome of care.
Nursing managers are guided by the theories to adopt changes which may be technological or administrative (Matney, Avant & Staggers, 2016). Both the nursing staff and interdisciplinary teams will depend on the outlined procedures to deliver effective, caring services.
They impact nurses’ professionalism as they gain more education and advanced medical facilities which result in better service.
Staff satisfaction is achievable through open communication, and proper work programs enhance productive staff and well-managed patients.
Conclusion
Many theories defining nursing in the healthcare sector are in the offing. Some of the theories are good and adaptable while others may not be of significant importance. Bear in mind that a theory that will not yield practice will not have any impact on nursing. The comfort of patients is a reflection of the care of nurses. Nurses need a sense of identity which comes from nursing theories. Nursing theories are vital in enhancing nurses professionalism, education, and identity. When a theory is adopted and its guidelines well defined, it offers seamless operation scheme and methodology which will make the handling of patients and general delivery of services a magical breakthrough.
References
Matney, S. A., Avant, K., & Staggers, N. (2016). Toward an understanding of wisdom in nursing. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing , 21 (1).
Moyle, W., Rickard, C. M., Chambers, S. K., & Chaboyer, W. (2015, April). The Partnering with Patients Model of Nursing Interventions: A First Step to a Practice Theory. In Healthcare (Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 252-262). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute.
Slatyer, S., Coventry, L. L., Twigg, D., & Davis, S. (2016). Professional practice models for nursing: a review of the literature and synthesis of key components. Journal of nursing management , 24 (2), 139-150.
