Nursing Theories: A Comprehensive Exploration

Introduction

Nursing theory serves as a critical foundation for understanding and practicing nursing, providing a structured framework to comprehend and communicate various nursing phenomena. Within the realm of nursing theories, grand nursing theories stand as the broadest, offering overarching generalizations about nursing situations. This essay delves into four distinct schools of thought within grand nursing theories, each brought to life by unique nursing theorists. The schools of thought include meeting patient needs, fostering interaction, achieving positive outcomes, and embracing the holistic concept of caring and becoming.

Meeting Patient Needs: The Legacy of Virginia Henderson

The school of thought centered around meeting patient needs emphasizes the nurse's role in assisting individuals to achieve independence. Virginia Henderson, a prominent needs theorist, categorized human needs into 14 components, ranging from breathing normally to learning and discovering (www.currentnursing.com). Henderson's definition of nursing involves actively assisting individuals in fulfilling these activities to promote their independence. Recognizing the significance of activities of daily living in the healing process, nurses, according to Henderson, play a pivotal role in identifying knowledge deficits and providing the necessary guidance for restoration.

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Fostering Interaction: Imogene King's Perspective

The interaction school of thought places a strong emphasis on nursing as an interaction process, focusing on the development of relationships between patients and nurses. Imogene King, an interaction theorist, defined nursing as a dynamic process of action, reaction, and interaction, wherein both nurse and client collaborate to set goals (Meleis, 2012). King's theory underscores the importance of shared perceptions and meaningful interactions in achieving health goals.

This school of thought empowers patients to actively participate in their healthcare journey, fostering a collaborative and equal partnership between healthcare providers and recipients.

Achieving Positive Outcomes: Myra Levine's Contribution

The outcomes school of thought aims to restore stability and balance to patients and their environments. Myra Levine, a notable outcomes theorist, viewed nursing as a conservation of integrities and energy. Levine's perspective emphasizes patient advocacy and individualized care with compassion and commitment (Meleis, 2012). This school of thought contends that effective coping mechanisms contribute to a harmonious and balanced life for patients. Levine's theories highlight the nurse's role in facilitating positive outcomes by addressing patient needs and promoting holistic well-being.

The Holistic Concept of Caring and Becoming: Jean Watson's Vision

The caring/becoming school of thought, stemming from interaction theories, takes a more expansive approach. It defines the process of care as a mutual journey of becoming for both clients and nurses, contingent upon openness to transformation (Meleis, 2012). Jean Watson, a key figure in this school of thought, envisions the goal of nursing as the mental and spiritual growth of human beings, both nurses and clients. Watson emphasizes finding meaning in experiences and cultivating a profound nurse-patient relationship. This holistic approach places a strong focus on the transformative nature of the nurse-patient connection.

Personal Reflection and Practice

Reflecting on these schools of thought, the outcomes theory resonates most with my nursing practice. Working in a busy trauma center where emergency surgeries, including suction dilatation and curettages, are frequent, I encounter diverse patient responses. Acknowledging that every patient reacts uniquely to health issues, I assess their needs, deficits, and coping mechanisms to optimize outcomes. Patient advocacy, tailored to individual needs, forms the core of my practice. In situations where patients may deviate from the norm, such as wanting to stay longer post-surgery, I prioritize their well-being and readiness over conventional protocols. The outcomes theory aligns with my belief that effective nursing goes beyond standardized procedures to embrace individualized care for positive results.

Conclusion

In conclusion, grand nursing theories encompass diverse schools of thought, each offering unique insights into the practice of nursing. Whether focusing on meeting patient needs, fostering interaction, achieving positive outcomes, or embracing the holistic concept of caring and becoming, these theories shape the way nurses approach their roles. Understanding and integrating these theories into nursing practice enhance the profession's ability to provide comprehensive, individualized, and transformative care, ultimately contributing to improved patient outcomes and well-being.