Theoretical Framework

classicdame, MSN, EdD · May 7, 2008

Newman's Systems Model is the first that comes to my mind. ID the "system" which could be the curricula. What things will act on the curricula to enhance or deter the possibility of success?

jjjoy, LPN · May 7, 2008

I don't have any advice for you but I'm curious about your... praxis... is that like a practice-oriented thesis? Anyway, I'm very interested in nursing education and tend to feel that basic RN education already tries to cram way too much into too short a time. And since there ARE so many different specialities even just in inpatient acute care, I'm thinking that the idea that two years of a general nursing education can somehow prepare graduates to begin work in ANY one of those specialities just isn't realistic. Student nurses graduate having had exposure to renal nursing, oncology nursing, pediatric nursing, cardiac nursing, obstetric nursing, post-partum nursing, critical care nursing (and how many specialities are there in THAT alone?), etc. No wonder they practically have to be trained from scratch as new grads to whatever kind of unit to which they are hired.

I'm not trying to put down your project. Not at all! I'm actually curious how one might get involved in evaluating and developing nursing curriculum. And I'm curious what your goals might be with your EdD degree.

Oh, and since it's a project for an EdD, is it safe to assume that you needn't select a nursing-specific theoretical framework? Perhaps something from the general social sciences? It's been awhile since I've worked with any of that so don't have specifics off hand, unfortunately.

llg, PhD, RN · May 7, 2008

I think the most practical model out there for hospital work today is the "Synergy" model developed by the Association of Critical Care Nurses. Unlike many of the older models, it was developed to provide a foundation for practice in a hospital.