In this research paper, the theory chosen is " Florence Nightingale's Environmental Theory ." This theory elaborates the roles of the environment in a person's healing process, asserting that a person's surrounding environment, such as lighting, clean water, and clean air, play essential roles. Notably, a simple act of washing hands by patients has the potentials of lowering the rates of contagious infections. Nightingale thus asserted that cleanliness of the environment could reduce the chances of contagion and speed up the patients' healing process. It is worth noting that RNs play essential roles in determining the degree of patients' physical, psychological, and social well-being by enforcing environmental factors outlined in Nightingale's theory. Therefore, the purpose of this research paper is to describe how RNs apply Nightingale's theory in nursing today.
Application of Florence Nightingale's Environmental Theory by RNs
Nightingale's Environmental Theory provides that there is a substantial relationship between patients and their environment. In the current RNs practice, several interventions have been put in place in line with the environmental theory to ensure that patients receive the best care quality. A patient's healing process may be improved by a supportive environment (Jamshidi et al., 2020). Notably, low light illumination attracts more errors while constant and more transparent lighting limits the possibilities of errors when dispensing medication ( Zhang et al., 2018 ). RNs have come up with several ways of increasing patients' safety and security. Measures to reduce falls have been put in place by designing features considering the patient's frailty both inside and outside the bathrooms (Zhang et al., 2018) . These environmental interventions limit the chances of contagion and enhance the healing of patients in hospitals.
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Another intervention staged in line with the environmental theory is the enhancement of indoor quality medical care. Under this intervention, RNs have ensured better ventilation, efficient dust removal, maintenance of relative humidity, and supply of good air quality. Additionally, there are design features related to privacy, such as single-patient rooms and solid-walled waiting rooms. These features ensure adequate environmental comfort within the hospital facilities, reducing stress, and enhancing quick recovery ( Jamshidi et al., 2020) . Arguably, before the environmental theory was advanced, the noise levels were high in the hospitals' waiting rooms, causing interference and stress to both RNs and patients ( Iyendo et al., 2016) . These environmental interventions ensure that all the aspects of patients' self, like the mind, the body, and the spirit, are brought together to obtain and maintain the integral balance demanded by the environmental theory.
How to Use Nightingale's Philosophy as an RN
In my operation as an RN, I will ensure that I build great hopes for my patients by providing them with pieces of advice aided in making them feel better and establish a sense of security among them. Besides, I will see that I offer better nursing services and maintain a clean, friendly environment. Furthermore, I will always advise my patients to maintain personal cleanliness. As provided by Florence Nightingale's environmental theory, "bad administrative arrangements, architectural designs and sanitary often make it impossible to provide a better environment to patients." Therefore, I will always advocate for proper cooperation of janitorial staff, nurses, and patients to ensure smooth delivery of quality services. Additionally, it is noted in Florence Nightingale's environmental theory that "the use of any chamber utensils without a lid should be utterly abolished, whether among sick or well." As an RN, I will always ensure that all the utensils are washed, sanitized, and closed using lids to limit infection chances. Regarding environmental factors that may play significant roles in patients' healing process, I will always ensure proper ventilation and warming, maximum room cleanliness, efficient lighting, minimized noise, and personal cleanliness.
How Nightingale's Environmental Theory Will Influence ma in the Future
Having learnt about Florence Nightingale's environmental theory, I have come to understand that many things may be modified within an environment to ensure that patients feel better and heal faster. Therefore, in my future operations as an RN, I will always ensure that I give the hygiene aspect of my priority. I will always ensure that I avail my patients of the best healthcare services and suitable environmental conditions. In conclusion, it has been established that Nightingale's Environmental theory has driven many changes in hospital facilities, which have facilitated the healing of patients.
References
Iyendo, T. O., Uwajeh, P. C., & Ikenna, E. S. (2016). The therapeutic impacts of environmental design interventions on wellness in clinical settings: A narrative review. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice , 24 , 174-188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2016.06.008
Jamshidi, S., Parker, J. S., & Hashemi, S. (2020). The effects of environmental factors on the patient outcomes in hospital environments: A review of literature. Frontiers of Architectural Research , 9 (2), 249-263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2019.10.001
Zhang, Y., Tzortzopoulos, P., & Kagioglou, M. (2018). Healing built-environment effects on health outcomes: Environment–occupant–health framework. Building Research & Information , 47 (6), 747-766. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2017.1411130
