Nursing Theory

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Nursing Theory

Nursing is a field that has changed drastically in the past few years. Some of these changes have made it possible for the nursing profession to be independent, set apart from other areas of medicine practice. Subsequent paragraphs will talk about Neuman’s model, which is in the broader category of public health and community nursing. The assumptions of this model, the major concepts and the ways in which it is applied in the nursing field. Neuman’s model will be explained as it relates to a Nursing Practitioner.

Importance of nursing theory

Neuman’s model is one that is important because of the main concepts that it holds. One of the main things about it is that it is holistic in nature. Despite this, the model still has room for flexibility. One of the main items about this model is the fact that it fat that it acknowledges that each patient can be unique. This uniqueness revolves around being from different environments and facing various challenges that need to be overcome. In addition, it is clear that according to this theory, the patients are respected even when it comes to their wishes. It is understood that these wishes could come from a place of religion or culture (Blais, 2015). The Theory can be applied to Nursing Practitioners at various levels, even when they choose to pursue a further degree such as Master’s.

A nursing Practitioner who pursues master’s level of education stands to benefit from this theory. Additionally, some of the patients that will be taken care of by master’s students who have knowledge on this theory also stand to have some benefit. At master’s level, the elements include interdisciplinary education, ethics, professional role development, research, human diversity and philosophy. This model in itself acknowledges human diversity. At master’s level, integrating it into the curriculum would help in the understanding of this particular issue and make the nurses who later practice more competent. Some of the core assumptions of this model are consistent with the ethical values normally taught at master’s level. For this reason, this model would only help in the further understanding of ethics eve as they are applied in the workplace. The model also recognizes the nurse as a professional, and as such, seeks to make the nurse to act in the most professional way at all times (Blais, 2015). This concept of professionalism is also consistent with what is learnt and taught at master’s level. The research aspect of the master’s pursuit of education blends in well with this theory mainly because the theory allows room for change in the practice and ethics when there is new information presented. Finally, philosophy, taught at masters level aims to make sure that the most logical decision is made in each case. This decision should be consistent with the ethics and with the other elements that have been mentioned, including professionalism. These reasons make it good for the theory to be integrated with the masters programs at various levels of nursing. 

Usefulness to nursing profession

Neuman’s model is useful in the nursing profession. Since nursing practitioners are Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) this theory would be of particular help to them if they work in a community based health center or in the community. With this in mind, the advanced practice nurses who use it mainly like to understand all the environmental factors that may affect reaction to healthcare and the decision making of the patient in question. The environment according o this model is not just limited to the external factors that may affect a patient. It also includes some of the internal factors that include other infections and how the body generally works. Advanced Practice Nurses and nursing practitioners usually have to understand all these models and relate them to the specific patient or to the community. Neuman’s theory helps in the further understanding of these issues and is usually helpful when it comes to advanced practice nursing. It has steps concerned with how a patient is supposed to be taken care of under different circumstances. Since the role of a nursing practitioner is to promote health and maintenance, the theory helps in making sure that these people have a reference point. The Neuman theory provides such a point for Nursing practitioners and APNs. These are some of the reasons why this theory is important to nurses as professionals

Importance of nursing theory

Healthcare typically involves more than just nurses do. Usually, there are doctors, pharmacists and other people that work in the health care centers. All these people have different roles. Their codes of ethics may be different and the way they should react under some conditions is usually well stipulated. However, there may be overlaps or situations where one cannot clearly tell one profession from the other in terms of the practices. This means that some theories have to be very specific to either profession to ease understanding and care of the patients. Neuman’s theory is very specific to the nursing field. Some of the ways in which it is used to separate nursing from other healthcare professions include the set guidelines for community care that relate specifically to nurses (Fawcett & Desanto-Madeya, 2012). Some of these have been discussed above. Another way in which the theory helps differentiate nursing from other profession is in the fact it usually maintains that the patient should be assessed in terms of current and potential stressors. Some of the potential stressors could come from being in the hands of another medical professional. A good example is in the case of cancer patients where chemotherapy is frequently used. The side effects of chemotherapy could count as a stressor on the patient. A nursing practitioner using the Neuman’s theory should be able to recognize this. Finally, this theory can help distinguish nursing from others since it takes advantage of the nurses that work at the community level (Chinn & Kramer, 2013). It helps in stipulating the responses to the various issues that may affect individuals and the community. The theory helps the nurses to respect the community standards that are set even for other medical professionals. These are some of the ways in which this theory sets apart the nursing profession from other professions

Summary of the theory

The theory was developed by Betty Neuman, and as a result, is named after her. The theory was first published in the year 1972, a book known as “A Model for Teaching Total Person Approach to Patient Problems”. (Alligood, 2014) The theory has been through some revisions since then, though most of the initial concepts that were postulated remain.

One of the key concepts is that each client system is unique, and as such requires a unique approach in taking care of them. Another key point is that there are many known and unknown stressors that may affect a patient. The third key point is that each patient has evolved a key range of responses, above which it one should always be considerate when taking care of him or her. Finally, there is the wellness of the patient, which should always be considered when taking care of a patient. The theory recognizes each patient as a person, and a person as a multilayered being with a wide range of responses and needs depending on the situation (Fawcett & Desanto-Madeya, 2012). These concepts all-together help in the making of this model.

The summary has shown that the model is mainly concerned with the person’s uniqueness. This is the main way in which the model addresses the person. In terms of health, the model recognizes that a patient can have a wide degree of responses. This means that the care that should be given for their general health and well-being depends on the way the patient responds. The model also recognizes the environment and some of the stressors that are found in it, making it such that a patient’s health is dependent on these factors. Finally, the model relates to the nursing profession by realizing that the care will always be carried out by a person with other skills in nursing (Fawcett & Desanto-Madeya, 2012). His model therefore helps the nurses in always assessing the situation and determining the best care procedures.

For a person pursuing a master’s degree in nursing, this model would be of particular help. In this case, an Advanced Nursing Practitioner (APN) pursuing a master’s degree will be considered. Their work demands that when they advance, they acquire new skills and build on research. This theory could be part of their additional knowledge. In addition, some of the key points in it recognize the need for additional information and changes in the current care practices when needed (Chinn & Kramer, 2013). A master’s degree student is likely to encounter such situations. The theory will therefore be helpful in such a situation.

Applications to Selected Professional practices

The theory is mainly concerned with nursing care practices at the community level (Fawcett & Desanto-Madeya, 2012). For this reason, it takes care of the national and global aspects of the healthcare. The ability of the advanced nursing practitioner to realize that in a community, there could be people from different backgrounds is consistent with both the national and international healthcare policies. These policies dictate what can be done within a nation. This model helps to make sure that these standards are met within the community. Nursing practitioners and APNs who adhere to it therefore adhere to an internationally or nationally set code of ethics or standards. 

This theory has been used in practice in the case of vaccinations. Advances Nursing Practitioners are usually faced with the role of providing people with the knowledge necessary about most issues that are important to community health, including vaccines. In some cases, they may be required to administer these vaccines. Vaccines generally serve more than the person immunized does. They also help in preserving the herd immunity to communicable diseases. APNs across the United States have to make sure that people are well protected, and that those with some form of weakness that prevents them from being vaccinated are also well advised.

Another example, specific to an APN is the requirement to address a disease that has had an outbreak in an area. An example of this is the case of Zika, in the recent years. The virus could have affected anyone, and often caused problems with newborn babies. A nursing practitioner tasked with helping and taking care of patients with this condition would likely benefit from the model. Realizing that there may be other stressors besides the disease only could greatly help the patient being taken care of.

In conclusion, a nursing theory, Neuman’s theory has been discussed in details. From the discussion above, it is clear that some of the key points about this theory major on patient individuality and the environment of the patient. These two factors help in determining the care to be given. The examples that have been given are of the vaccines of the community, and the elderly in the community. The relevance of this theory to master’s student who is also a registered Nurse has been seen. This theory has been in existence for long, and has helped many in the community health care section.

References

Alligood, M.R (2014) Nursing theorists and their work. Elsevier Health Sciences

Blais, K. (2015) Professional nursing practice. Concepts and Perspectives. Pearson

Chinn, P. L., Kramer, M. K. (2013). Integrated theory and Knowledge development in Nursing. Elsevier Health Sciences

Fawcett, J., & Desanto-Madeya, S. (2012). Contemporary nursing knowledge: Analysis and evaluation of nursing models and theories. FA Davis