Getting through Research/Theory Class

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Sep 24, 2011

I think you will find it valuable.

MillieT · Sep 24, 2011

I've taken 2 of these classes so far and have found them very valuable, although I absolutely thought I would hate them. The first class: Health Care Economics and Policies, I thought would be the worst. That class is where I found my passion and goal for my NP career (to help eliminate health care disparities). It helped me to realize how important it is for nursing to be involved in politics. I generally abhor politics and thought this class would bore me, but it changed my perspective and has helped me to be more open to being an advocate for policy change.

The 2nd class Theory: I've actually applied some of the theories to my practice. It helped me to treat the patient as a whole, instead of a medical problem to be solved. It helped me to see the unique role that nursing plays in prevention and health promotion and how to pass that on to my patients.

Research: As advanced practice nurses, it is important for us to know how to use evidenced based practice and also how to interpret research in order to form opinions.

Hang in there. NP school is HARD! But after watching my husband go through med school, I can see the advantage of our education as it relates to treating the whole person. I also think I'm having to study much harder than he ever did, but I feel confident in my education.

mammac5 · Sep 24, 2011

For me the value was in knowing how to find legitimate, high-quality research in any area where I need more information to provide up-to-date, evidence-based practice to my patients. Frankly, I could have lived without theory, but the research side of it is very important to me and I did not get that education anywhere else.

If you want to practice in the most beneficial way for your patients, you must know what constitutes good, solid, research that is applicable to your patient population. You must have the tools to dig and search for information on topics ranging from cultural issues (Why is my Native American patient non-compliant with the medications I've prescribed?) to pharmacotherapeutics (What is the best first-line medication for my African American male patient with HTN?) or your patients cannot benefit from all the research that is being done.

Incidentally, there is some really bad, invalid "science" going on and you have to know how to identify that, too. Otherwise you might be swayed into changing your practice by some "scientific study" done by a pharmaceutical company that really had a very low level of evidence.

P.S. I had 2 semesters of T/R as an undergrad and another 3 semesters during my NP program!

TJFRN · Sep 24, 2011

I have to agree with the above poster... Although I am in a FNP program now, I have already completed all the "filler" classes. Research is the one class you should pay a bit more attention to. Like the other poster stated you will use evidence base research in your practice. I have to say I could still practice without theory. I have always treated my patients as a whole because I learned that growing up as a child. I could care less about other peoples theory and how to use it in practice. Hang in there, it doesn't get better except after you pass the boards and find your dream job! Good Luck!

Berkshire1995 · Sep 25, 2011

I agree--research was worth learning, but the amount of papers we had to write was over the top! Time could have been spent on more pathophysiology. And, as far as theories, I agree with that being a waste of time, too.

CCRNDiva, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2011

I'm in a concepts and theories class now and I find the lectures and reading very difficult to follow and full of circular reasoning. Getting through these lectures are painful and mind-numbing. I agree that we should all know how to review research and integrate valid research into practice but I have found much of nursing theory to be common sense. I don't know if I have such a hard time with it because I've only worked in critical care or that I've been in the real world of nursing too long but I find it very difficult to follow or integrate into my current practice.

Sometimes I feel our profession's focus on theory actually adds fuel to the fire for those who oppose NP practice and label our education as inferior. People think all we do is glorified hand-holding and butt wiping. We, as nurses, are responsible for so much more and it is not explained by theory, IMHO. We run codes, titrate gtts, manage vents, balloon pumps etc.

Advanced Physiology is kicking my butt this semester, but I know that grasping this knowledge will truly affect my practice as an ACNP in the future.

mammac5 · Sep 25, 2011

I can see all y'alls points about nursing theory and whether or not it is necessary in today's nursing education. The powers that be certainly are hanging onto it as required curriculum for accredited programs!

In some regards I feel that theory could be offered as a sort of elective course...Theories of Thought in Professional Nursing, that would also include nursing history and the major players there. Of course it would be updated periodically since theory development is alive and well in nursing today.

I would almost rather make way for a course introducing us to alternate medicine/healing techniques since this is something that our patients consider part of "holistic" care and also speaks to cultural competency.

zenman · Sep 25, 2011

I agree--research was worth learning, but the amount of papers we had to write was over the top! Time could have been spent on more pathophysiology. And, as far as theories, I agree with that being a waste of time, too.

Let me explain this again...all "professions" are theory driven. If you are learning something that is not theory driven then you are in trade school. When you finish school, I'll come back and ask you what theoretical framework you are using to treat your patients. :smokin:

I think the biggest problem here is professors not explaining why you need theories.

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 25, 2011

I can see all y'alls points about nursing theory and whether or not it is necessary in today's nursing education. The powers that be certainly are hanging onto it as required curriculum for accredited programs!
In some regards I feel that theory could be offered as a sort of elective course...Theories of Thought in Professional Nursing, that would also include nursing history and the major players there. Of course it would be updated periodically since theory development is alive and well in nursing today.
I would almost rather make way for a course introducing us to alternate medicine/healing techniques since this is something that our patients consider part of "holistic" care and also speaks to cultural competency.

I teach theory in an RN-BSN program and that is how I approach it. We study the history of nursing thought -- looking at the key elements that each major theorist brought into our profession and how they shaped the profession and discipline. We start with Nightingale at the beginning of the semester and end up with contemporary middle-range theory and the use/development of theory in Professional Practice Models in Magnet hospitals.

I have always said that the problem is not that nursing theory should be eliminated -- or that it shouldn't be a required class. The problem is that most teachers don't put it in perspective. They approach it wrong. It's being badly taught -- but a GOOD theory course should still be required so that we are all knowledgable about our the theoretical foundations of our practice.

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Sep 25, 2011

If I weren't intimately familiar with Watson, Bandura and Pender, I would not be able to do my job.

Martha Rodgers I can live without.

PrettyWingsFNP, BSN, MSN, RN, NP · Sep 25, 2011

Everyone---thank you for your responses!