The definition of nursing theory

 

By engaging with your learning resources this the week you have explored: 1) what theory is, 2) the definition of nursing theory, 3) the classifications of nursing theory, and 4) a wide range of nursing theories and frameworks.
Consider your current healthcare practice setting.
Reflect on how you approach your personal practice in that setting.
From your learning resources, or any other resources on nursing theory you may have accessed and explored outside the learning resources, what theory or theories do you see your personal approach to practice aligned with?
Construct a presentation that includes the following elements:

2. Identify a theory you see as being aligned with your personal approach to practice
3. Provide an overview of the highlights/main points of the identified theory (2 to 3 slides)
4. Provide examples of how your personal approach to practice is aligned with elements/aspects of the theory you identified – ensure that you have included a minimum of 3 to 5 examples (3 to 5 slides)
5. Describe the connection between nursing theory and nursing practice as you understand that to be from the learning resources from the unit (1 to 3 slides)
6. A slide for references formatted consistent with 7th edition APA Manual guidelines; for each reference entry there needs to be a corresponding in-text style citation in the presentation; ensure that you cite the source of the information about your identified theory and any other elements that may require support from the scholarly resources.
 

Sample Answer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nursing Theory in Practice Presentation: Personal Alignment

 

This presentation outlines a nursing theory aligned with a personal approach to practice (assuming a primary care or community health setting for illustration), demonstrates alignment through specific examples, and discusses the essential link between theory and practice.

 

1. 🎯 Identified Theory: Virginia Henderson's Need Theory

 

Slide ContentNarration Focus
Title Slide: Aligning Practice with Foundational TheoryIntroduction: This presentation aligns my personal approach to nursing practice—focusing on promoting independence and functional recovery—with Virginia Henderson's Need Theory.
Slide 2: Identifying AlignmentTheory Choice: Henderson's theory is chosen because it defines the nurse's primary role as assisting the individual, sick or well, in the performance of those activities contributing to health or its recovery (or to a peaceful death) that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will, or knowledge.

 

2. 💡 Overview of Henderson's Need Theory (2 Slides)

 

Slide ContentNarration Focus
Slide 3: Highlights - The Nurse's Unique FunctionMain Point 1: The Nurse's Role: Henderson shifted the focus from the medical task to the patient's independence. The nurse is a temporary substitute for the patient's lack of ability, aiming to empower the patient to regain function as quickly as possible. The nurse's role is thus supplementary and complementary. (Henderson, 1966).
Slide 4: Highlights - The 14 Basic NeedsMain Point 2: The 14 Needs: Henderson identified 14 fundamental human needs derived from physiological, psychological, spiritual, and social requirements. These include breathing normally, eating/drinking adequately, eliminating, moving/maintaining posture, sleeping/resting, selecting suitable clothes, maintaining body temperature, keeping the body clean, avoiding dangers, communicating, worshipping, working, playing, and learning. All 14 needs must be met for optimal health.

Alignment Examples (3 Slides)

 

Slide ContentNarration Focus
Slide 5: Example 1 & 2: Focus on Independence and LearningExample 1: Post-Stroke Care (Need: Moving & Learning): I focus on the patient demonstrating the skill (like transferring from bed to chair) rather than doing it for them. This directly aligns with the goal of fostering independence and addressing the Learning need. Example 2: Medication Adherence (Need: Learning): I don't just hand out medication; I assess the patient's understanding of why they take it, the potential side effects, and how to fit the schedule into their life. This empowers the patient with the "necessary knowledge" (Henderson, 1966).
Slide 6: Example 3 & 4: Addressing Holistic NeedsExample 3: Spiritual and Social Needs (Need: Worshipping & Communicating): In end-of-life care, I ensure non-denominational spiritual services are available or facilitate contact with specific faith leaders, even if I don't share that faith. I also actively facilitate family communication to address the Communicating need, ensuring the patient's final wishes are known. Example 4: Environmental Safety (Need: Avoiding Dangers): In home health, my primary assessment focuses on safety hazards (rugs, lighting, grab bars) that prevent the patient from performing ADLs, directly addressing the Avoiding Dangers need to promote independence in a safe environment.
Slide 7: Example 5: Substitute for Strength/WillExample 5: Promoting Nutrition (Need: Eating/Drinking): For a fatigued post-op patient (lack of strength), I might set up the meal and open containers, but encourage them to feed themselves. For a depressed patient (lack of will), I use motivational interviewing to discuss food preferences, rather than simply spoon-feeding them. The nurse acts only as a temporary substitute (Henderson, 1966).

 

4. 🌐 Theory and Practice Connection (2 Slides)

 

Slide ContentNarration Focus
Slide 8: The Essential LinkTheory as Framework: Nursing theory provides the structure, focus, and intellectual boundaries for practice. It moves nursing beyond task orientation toward a professional, scholarly discipline. Theory guides: it dictates what to observe, how to interpret observations, and what interventions to prioritize (Fawcett, 2005).
Slide 9: Improved OutcomesImpact on Outcomes: Using theory, like Henderson's Need Theory, ensures a holistic and patient-centered approach. It allows the nurse to systematically assess all dimensions of a person—not just the disease—leading to more comprehensive care plans, greater patient independence, and ultimately, improved recovery rates and patient satisfaction. Theory informs, practice validates.

 

5. 📚 References

 

Fawcett, J. (2005). Contemporary nursing knowledge: Analysis and evaluation of nursing models and theories (2nd ed.). F. A. Davis Company.

Henderson, V. (1966). The nature of nursing: A definition and its implications for practice, research, and education. The Macmillan Company.