Nursing Theory

ResearchRN · Mar 19, 2004

The students are gonna love this.

I saw a response from someone here stating something to the effect of not having any idea what theory of nursing her school espoused. This got me going. Nursing theory has always been a bone of contention for me.

I've been a nurse for twelve years and worked in 6 or 7 hospitals. I have no idea who (or what) any of those hospitals claimed as their nursing thoerist.

I was taught nursing theory in my ADN program where I know they espoused what they called a "modified Roy model". I also had to take it in my BSN program. I have no idea who they liked best. I have friends in MSN programs who have to spend an entire semester, again on nursing theory. It always annoyed me to no end to have to base everything in school on a theorectical framework. I never saw the point.

So, I'm curious. Do you know what theory your institution pracitces by? Do you care? Do you gravitate towards one theorist more than another?

I, personally think nursing theory and the nursing process are a failed attempt at legitimizing the science of nursing. This is not to say that nursing is not science. I just don't think the theorists have got it right yet. Calista Roy is the closest I think, but really, how many of you go about your day thinking, "now what would Martha Rogers do in this situation?"

ferfer · Mar 19, 2004

:idea: I may only be a student but I do see the use for nursing models already in my practice. No, I could never say "what would Florence do?" or any other theorist for that matter. However, we use these and variations of these models to guide our practice. It may not be a conscious action - for example your assessments and interventions may be automatic for you, but in reality they may be right from a model or two.

I do agree with you, however, that some of them are quite, well, :uhoh3: . Perhaps they are not quite on the money yet. I do know that I put them down for a long time until I worked through one with a patient and saw how much I had missed and how much more effective I became afterwards. Just a thought...........

ferfer · Mar 19, 2004

:idea: I may only be a student but I do see the use for nursing models already in my practice. No, I could never say "what would Florence do?" or any other theorist for that matter. However, we use these and variations of these models to guide our practice. It may not be a conscious action - for example your assessments and interventions may be automatic for you, but in reality they may be right from a model or two.

I do agree with you, however, that some of them are quite, well, :uhoh3: . Perhaps they are not quite on the money yet. I do know that I put them down for a long time until I worked through one with a patient and saw how much I had missed and how much more effective I became afterwards. Just a thought...........

Chaya, ASN, RN · Mar 19, 2004

Our rehab facility uses a modification of Roy. I only happen to know that because I started looking for it when I had to take theory. There are actually mission statements, etc to be found framed in the public areas and copies in new staff orientation materials. I've found it to be moderately interesting and slightly useful BUT I would have gained sooo much more if the different theories had been mentioned in passing and the time devoted to an entire, mandatory theory course had been used in extra clinical experience.

Chaya, ASN, RN · Mar 19, 2004

Our rehab facility uses a modification of Roy. I only happen to know that because I started looking for it when I had to take theory. There are actually mission statements, etc to be found framed in the public areas and copies in new staff orientation materials. I've found it to be moderately interesting and slightly useful BUT I would have gained sooo much more if the different theories had been mentioned in passing and the time devoted to an entire, mandatory theory course had been used in extra clinical experience.

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 19, 2004

ferfer, I loved your response. It gives me hope that the next generation of nurses will have a healthy attitude towards theory. As you seem to have grasped, having a theoretical basis for practice doesn't have to mean that your actions are based on a recipe, with everything being overt and straightforward. A lot of people use theories and don't even know it.

Theories (be they nursing or psychology or physiology or whatever) are just tools -- tools to use to help us understand the world a little better. They evolve as our understanding changes, our needs change, our focus changes, etc. They don't need to always lead to definite prescriptions for specific actions. Our discipline and profession is improved by the further development of theory, but it would be a mistake to allow ourselves to be locked into any one theory -- to stick with one theory at one stage of evolution for every situation forever. It's the flexible use of theory that enables growth and evolution -- a sign of an active mind, open to new possibilities. That doesn't mean that theory is bogus.

I use lots of different theories in my practice -- whatever best fits the situation. At times, I use Nightingale ... sometimes Rodgers ... sometimes Benner .... sometimes Swanson-Kaufman ... sometimes others. They all have something valuable to add to our understanding of the human condition and people's response to health/illness/injury issues.

llg

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 19, 2004

ferfer, I loved your response. It gives me hope that the next generation of nurses will have a healthy attitude towards theory. As you seem to have grasped, having a theoretical basis for practice doesn't have to mean that your actions are based on a recipe, with everything being overt and straightforward. A lot of people use theories and don't even know it.

Theories (be they nursing or psychology or physiology or whatever) are just tools -- tools to use to help us understand the world a little better. They evolve as our understanding changes, our needs change, our focus changes, etc. They don't need to always lead to definite prescriptions for specific actions. Our discipline and profession is improved by the further development of theory, but it would be a mistake to allow ourselves to be locked into any one theory -- to stick with one theory at one stage of evolution for every situation forever. It's the flexible use of theory that enables growth and evolution -- a sign of an active mind, open to new possibilities. That doesn't mean that theory is bogus.

I use lots of different theories in my practice -- whatever best fits the situation. At times, I use Nightingale ... sometimes Rodgers ... sometimes Benner .... sometimes Swanson-Kaufman ... sometimes others. They all have something valuable to add to our understanding of the human condition and people's response to health/illness/injury issues.

llg

ferfer · Mar 19, 2004

I absolutely agree with you:p

Some of the names you mentioned I have not even heard of yet and I am almost done!! Are you in the US- that may explain different learning. Some of the models I have learned- Nightingale, CFAM, McGill, Roy, Orem, Watson

Anyways, I agree, we do need to keep our eyes open to new possibilties and challenge ourselves to stay open minded. It is only when we close ourselves off that we stop learning:)

ferfer · Mar 19, 2004

I absolutely agree with you:p

Some of the names you mentioned I have not even heard of yet and I am almost done!! Are you in the US- that may explain different learning. Some of the models I have learned- Nightingale, CFAM, McGill, Roy, Orem, Watson

Anyways, I agree, we do need to keep our eyes open to new possibilties and challenge ourselves to stay open minded. It is only when we close ourselves off that we stop learning:)

orrnlori, RN · Mar 19, 2004

I don't have a clue what theory was used by my school. I don't ever remember them stating it at any point. But I remember care plans, lots and lots of long care plans, measurable goals, etc. I read the student boards here and think, do I really want to be a teacher? I think I do until I read those struggling with care plans and all the minutia attached to those. I will always consider them stupid. I still believe there has to be a better way to teach someone to think like a nurse than care plans. I just don't know what it is. I hope finishing a masters will lead me to an answer.

orrnlori, RN · Mar 19, 2004

I don't have a clue what theory was used by my school. I don't ever remember them stating it at any point. But I remember care plans, lots and lots of long care plans, measurable goals, etc. I read the student boards here and think, do I really want to be a teacher? I think I do until I read those struggling with care plans and all the minutia attached to those. I will always consider them stupid. I still believe there has to be a better way to teach someone to think like a nurse than care plans. I just don't know what it is. I hope finishing a masters will lead me to an answer.