Week1 assignment 1 - Module 1: Evolution of NSG theories PDF

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Module 1: Evolution of NSG theories...

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1. Theories seem to be such esoteric notions for a profession that seemed to function well for decades, without highlighting them. Can our practice history guide our practice future with theories? Why/not? When it comes to nursing theory, I truly believe that our past can positively affect our future. Throughout the more recent history of the nursing profession, theories have become a staple by helping it not only amplify published works but also education ranging from continent to continent. Theory has not only brought the patient and their families to the forefront of care but also have helped increase the quality of that care over the past century (Alligood, 2018). If the focus of nursing theory did not increase throughout the end of the 20th century then the nursing practice would not be as evolved and holistic as it is today. Nursing theory guided practice has allowed nurses to better understand and express what it is they actually do for their patients. On the other hand, it helps nurses also understand why it is they give the care and implement the interventions that they do. Comprehending not only what you are doing but also why you are practicing it ultimately helps increase the quality of care. This then can lead to more satisfaction with not only patients but also their families (Younas and Quennell, 2019). Nursing theory is an essential part of the profession of nursing by increasing the quality of nursing practice through critical, logical and authoritative thinking.

2. Define both rationalism and empiricism. Differentiate between these two scientific approaches. Rationalism- A belief or theory that opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge. It emphasizes the importance of priori reasoning as the appropriate method for advancing knowledge. A prior reasoning used deductive logic by reasoning from the cause to an effect or from a generalization to a particular instance. Rationalism is based more upon the natural. Knowledge comes what is in our mind, what we see and how we perceive it to be. It is not based upon the actual happening but more so on our nature. In rationalism, theory comes first while research comes second. (Alligood, 2018; Markie, 2017). Empiricism- A theory that states all knowledge is derived from sensory experience. It is based upon that truth is found through the facts and what occurs in the world around us. Knowledge can only be acquired through our own experiences that we go through in life. Empiricism claims we cannot gain something if it is not given to us and that we must go through an experience to learn from it or gain some sort of knowledge or belief. Research comes first then theory comes second (Alligood, 2018; Markie, 2017).

References

Younas, A., & Quennell, S. (2019). Usefulness of nursing theory‐guided practice: an integrative review. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 33(3), 540–555. doi: 10.1111/scs.12670

Alligood, M. R. (2018). Chapter 1 Introduction to Nursing Theory: Its History and Significance. In Nursing Theorists and Their Work (pp. 2–10). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.

Markie, P. (2017, July 6). Rationalism vs. Empiricism. Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/rationalism-empiricism/.

Alyssa, I really enjoyed reading up on Travelbee’s human-to-human relationships model. I thought it was a great point for you to specifically include in your response. The theory touches up on the holistic approach of treating a human being as not only an object but as an actual person who has feelings, thoughts, and emotions. I sometimes notice in nursing, patients can be thought of as just another number to some nurses. Florence Nightengale, who was the one who discovered and shaped the nursing profession saw how a person’s healthcare and their environment as one entity. It is essential for nurses to understand this is so nurses can help heal the whole person just like in Travelbee’s model. Caring for patients as a whole can often be overlooked by hospitals putting more focus on profits and efficiency so we must not forget that nursing is based upon healing the whole person no matter what facility or environment they are in. Focusing not only on the physical but also the mental, emotional and spiritual (Thornton, 2019)....