How Might Nursing Theory Influence Your Professional Practice?

In the current clinical practice, there is emphasis on evidence-based practice (EBP) (Younas & Quennell, 2019). In addition, nursing theories have improved the science of nursing to its contemporary prominence. As such, nursing theories would positively influence my professional practice. Specifically, Nightingale’s Environmental Theory will be useful when teaching patients and coworkers about proper hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment and sterile techniques to control infections. Nursing theories present a framework on which patient care relies. Untested management strategies are not useful and can be a hindrance in delivering safe patient care, but when supported with evidence nursing theories remain important in my practice. Similarly, effective nursing practice involves the application of skills, knowledge and the art to care for patients in a considerate manner (Alejandro, 2017). For example, I will be able to create nursing plans that includes achievable and measurable goals based on patient and family needs assessment using Imogene King’s Theory of Goal Attainment.

Hence, nursing theories will provide me with knowledge to make clinical decisions generated by research evidence. Moreover, the objective of research is to build knowledge through theory development.  This suggests that in my professional practice, nursing theory will help me to improve practice by positively influencing patients’ health and the quality of life. The correlation between practice and theory is mutual. Practice is the foundation for developing nursing theory while nursing theory should be validated in practice (Younas & Quennell, 2019). In my professional practice, nursing theory will allow me to improve the quality of care since I will be able to articulate a care plan and why they are needed. Besides, through nursing theory, I would be able to foster self-care, intrapersonal interaction and self-efficacy of patients.

 References

Alejandro, J. I. (2017). Lessons learned through nursing theory. Nursing2020, 47(2), 41-42.            https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NURSE.0000511808.68087.e3

Younas, A., & Quennell, S. (2019). Usefulness of nursing theory‐guided practice: an integrative   review. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 33(3), 540-555.    https://doi.org/10.1111/scs.12670

By admin in Blog on November 3, 2022