Nursing Practices: Concepts and Theories

Subject: Nursing
Pages: 3
Words: 648
Reading time:
3 min
Study level: College

Nursing practice entails the real provision of nursing care to patients. In offering the nursing care, nurses implement the set nursing care plan for the patient which is based on the initial patient assessment. Nursing practice is enhanced by several concepts that help both the nurse and the patient to realize better health outcomes. Presence is one of the nursing concepts that have been considered elusive in nursing practice. However, it is appreciated as an advantageous concept to the patient experience. The presence of both the patient and the health care provider promotes good service delivery. The nurse can listen and observe the patient make the right decision on the diagnosis and management of the patient. The patient is encouraged by the presence of the health care provider to explain how s/he is feeling (Hessel, 2009, p. 277). Family strength promotes nursing care, in times of crisis or stress in the family nurses can apply the concept of family strength to encourage strong and healthy relationships. The nurses encourage the patient’s family members to resolve any conflict to give the patient peace of mind which promotes quick recovery. This approach identifies and develops positive qualities in a family’s functioning. Family positive attributes include commitments, optimistic communication, appreciation and love, and religious well-being (Munoz 2005, p. 355).

An evidence-based concept that involves the integration of the best accessible research proof with information on patient preferences, physician skill level and available resources helps in proper decision making about the patient health care. This could be the best concept in nursing practices as it avoids any medical errors. The health care provider can access the relevant information about the patient and s/he makes an informed decision on the management of the patient (Cilisika 2001, p. 525).

Middle-range theories can be defined as the composition of related ideas which are geared on a limited element of the veracity of nursing. The middle-range theories act as guides to practice and research in the field of nursing practices. The theories provide a clear understanding of the nursing concepts to both the students and qualified professionals. They guide everyday practice and academic research based on nursing practices. The theories can be moderated into models which help in conducting and writing researches. The theories are concerned with principles and rules that oversee the life process, welfare, and optimal functioning of persons whether ill or well (Bredow, 2004, p.112).

The theories aid in patterning human actions in interaction with the surrounding environment during critical situations in life. How positive health changes affect the delivery of health services is also elaborated by the theories. Health care providers’ work is made easier by the theories as a clear explanation on how to conduct their daily activities is provided (Munoz 2005, p.135). Nursing as opposed to other disciplines such as biology is a professional discipline that requires prescriptive theories in addition to clinical research knowledge. In the nursing discipline middle range theories form part it structures by addressing the substantive knowledge about the discipline by expanding on particular phenomena which are related to the management and healing process of the patients. The theories act as a guiding principle to nursing practice, their expansion the skeletal sketch of the nursing discipline is enriched (Smith, 2008, p.34).

Reference list

Bredow, T. S. (2004). Middle Range Theories. Web.

Cilisika, D.K. (2001). Resources to Enhance Evidence-based Nursing Practice AACN Clinical Issues: Advanced Practice in Acute and Critical Care. Web.

Hessel, J.A. (2009). Presence in Nursing Practice: A Concept Analysis: Holistic Nursing Practice. Web.

Munoz, C. & Luckman, J. (2005).Transcultural communication in nursing. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Learning.

Peggy L. C & Maeona K. K. (2007). Integrated Theory and Knowledge Development in Nursing. Web.

Smith, M. J. (2008). Middle Range Theories for Nursing. Web.