MHume

My assignment is to research and explain a prominent theory re: stress and coping. It appears that Lazarus' Cognitive Appraisal Theory is one of the most commonly used and respected. After explaining the theory, I then need to relate/apply it to nursing practice and am having trouble with that aspect of the assignment. I still have more reading to do in order to fully understand the theory...it seems very broad and am trying to put it together more concisely. I'm just not sure how it would be applied in practice...this is my first semester in grad school and am needing guidance in thinking in new ways! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I'm currently enrolled in an RN-MSN program in the Adult PNP track. My goal is to eventually practice as a counselor/therapist w/ specialization in substance abuse, especially amongst nurses. I envision practicing in an EAP setting or possibly a rehab facility. I have no interest in med management, only in the counseling aspect. I was originally going to go about this via the LCSW route...it seemed to point where I wanted to go. But, as I'm an RN and have been for several years (NICU), I've been advised by several people that it made more sense to approach it from the PNP route. Now that I'm in the program, I'm second guessing my decsision. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!