Formal Nursing Knowledge and Using the Nursing Process
to Provide Care Nursing:  An Art or A Science

Theory and its Relationship to Nursing
Relationship of Nursing Theories to Nursing Process, Research & Practice
Using Nursing Process in Professional Nursing
Learning Activity

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The reading assignment for this class is Chapters 3, 4, and 14 in your text by Nunnery, and identified web sites. The focus of the reading material is on the evolution of nursing knowledge, the nursing theorists, theory development, and the use of the nursing process in clinical practice. 

Theory and its Relationship to Nursing

You probably heard the old saying that one needs to know where you came from to know where you are going. Well, where did the concept of nursing come from?  How has the knowledge of nursing been formalized? These are questions that you probably asked or had asked of you in your basic nursing education. When discussing the formalization of nursing knowledge, one needs to think of theory, models, research, and conceptual frameworks. The nursing program from which you graduated probably discussed many of these terms and the readings for this class will review these terms.

Theory, what is it? What does the term theory mean? Your text (page 65) offers a definition of theory. One might think of theory as a "hunch", a "feeling", or an "assumption". However, what is a hunch based on? What is nursing theory based on? Who develops nursing theory?

There are many nursing theorist who have established their theory about nursing and the theory carries the name of the individual or group of individuals who developed the theory. These theories have assisted in increasing nursing knowledge and are grounded in research. The first nurse theorist, as one might expect, was Florence Nightingale. She theorized that lack of environmental factors, i.e., pure and fresh air, pure water, proper drainage, cleanliness, and light (specifically direct sun light), was related to illness and lack of health in individuals. You might wish to check out the Florence Nightingale web site http://www.dnai.com/~borneo/nightingale/ to learn about the many contributions of this pioneer of nursing. Throughout the years other theorist have introduced nursing theories (see chapter 3) and nursing has also borrowed theories from other disciplines. Check these addresses for more information on theories and theorist:
http://www4.allencol.edu/~sey0/theory1a.html
http://www.lemmus.demon.co.uk/neumodel.htm
http://www.ualberta.ca/~jrnorris/nt/theory.html

Relationship of Nursing Theories to Nursing Process, Research & Practice

Is there a relationship of nursing theories and nursing process? Consider Orem's General Theory of Nursing and Roy's Adaptation Mode. Both distinctly utilize the steps of the nursing process.

What is the relationship of nursing theory to nursing research and nursing practice? The practice of nursing is linked to nursing theory through nursing research. The "hunches or assumptions" (scientific term is hypothesis) is tested by the theorist via research in the practice setting. The hunch generated by the theorist is either supported or weakened (never proven or disproved, think back to your research class and the idea that research does not prove anything).  It is through nursing research that one notes advances in nursing practice. The results of nursing research is published in nursing journals and textbooks so all nurses can apply the research in practice.

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Using Nursing Process in Professional Nursing Practice

Nursing process is frequently thought of as a problem-solving tool in nursing practice. The process is borrowed from the biological and physical sciences and is a very useful when solving problems with our patients in the practice setting and in ones everyday life. Individuals frequently will "problem-solve" when they are presented with dilemmas that need an answer.

The five step process of assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation, is taught to beginning student nurses and is refined by professional nurses in practice. How nurses use the process will vary with their knowledge and skill level, will vary with the situation as well as the facility/setting in which they are practicing nursing. Frequently the experienced professional nurse implements the process automatically and does not consciously label each step in the process.

A few questions to think about with the nursing process. Do you find the nursing process useful in your professional practice? Has managed care, standardized care plans, critical pathways/care maps influenced the use of the nursing process in the practice setting? Do you think the lack of a standardized taxonomy of nursing affects the nursing process?

I look forward to reading your thoughts on these questions in your weekly discussion.

Learning Activities For Class 3:  Week of February 7th
(due prior to next class posting)

Activity Key	Assignment
	1. Read Chapters 3, 4, and 14 of Nunnery and read the information in the web addresses.
	2. Log on the discussion board and address the following in the threaded discussion sections:
	2.a  How do you view the usefulness of nursing process in your professional practice?
	2.b  Discuss whether or not you believe managed care, standardized care plans, critical pathways/care maps influence the use of nursing process in the practice setting.
	2.c  Discuss your view on the lack of a standardized taxonomy of nursing and its affect on the nursing process.
	2.d  Discuss in a short paragraph how you incorporate results of nursing research in your nursing practice. If you can recall particular research article and results, please cite the research that you are referring to.
	2.e  Briefly discuss which nursing theory you utilize in your nursing practice and point out the elements you like about this theory. You may not consciously be utilizing a theory, so this is OK.
	2.f  Select one of the nursing theorist and reflect on what interest you most about this individual and his/her theoretical contributions.

I look forward to reading your thoughts in this week's discussion.

Remember you may comment on each others entries on the discussion board. I like to see what you have to say about each others thoughts.

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