There are many ways to explain the concept of nursing theory. One of them is that nursing theory is a platform for knowledge and the explanation of situations at a more specific level.
Nursing theory is a vital component of the nursing profession. It serves as a guide that determines the way in which processes are completed in nursing. As it is stated in the article GPS for Nursing Research and Practice, nursing theory is a seed for the development of new knowledge in the nursing practice (McCarthy, 2016). Nursing theory acts as the arrows that show the path and destinations to nurses. Nursing theory is what has made the nursing practice considered as a profession rather than just an activity.
Nursing theory is a very helpful tool for nurses. It defines the way in which nursing profession is practiced. Nursing theory is the backbone of the nursing profession. Without theory, nursing would be a collection of activities that are shared through generations. Nursing theory is what has allowed nurses to growth because all activities are founded or based on concepts. Without nursing theory, the practice would be vague, and it would lose credibility.
As a fact, nursing …show more content…
practice supported with theory is very different from nursing without theory. Nurses whose practice is founded on theories understand the rationale behind actions because actions can be explained through these theories. When reasons behind practices are understood, the practice becomes more effective and safer.
Understanding rationales behind practices creates opportunities for research and knowledge.
It gives place to questions that not only increase knowledge among nurses but also raise opportunities for change. As it is mentioned in the article The Practicality of Nursing Theory in the Future, within The Nurse Journal, nursing is included within the professional disciplines and can be in danger if we, nurses, do not pay attention to this prestigious position, and use nursing theory to grow with the practice (Smith & Liehr, 2008). As it is stated in the article, Toward an Understanding of Wisdom in Nursing, nursing theory is useful in all aspects of nursing because it helps to organize and have better knowledge and understanding of patient information (Matney, Avant, and Staggers,
2016).
To better explain the concept of nursing theory, I can use the following example: In nursing school, we are taught about the way in which bowel sounds need to be assessed on the patient. If we do not pay attention to the explanation and especially to the rationale behind it, we will probably perform the assessment in a wrong way and the results will differ. Instead of first auscultating the right lower quadrant, we will be auscultating another quadrant first. Likewise, there is a systematic way of assessing the abdomen, and if we understand the reasons behind the order in which this assessment needs to be performed, we will obtain more accurate results.
In overall, nursing theories are the pillars for organization, understanding, safety, and advancement in nursing practice.