Comparison of Nurse Therorist, Essay Example

Introduction

Nursing is a profession that is involved in the caring of families, individuals and communities. This occupation is focused on the provision of optimal health from the second a person is born to the time he/she succumbs to death. Nursing is a comprehensive profession that deals with different kinds of specialties; it calls for planning, assessing, implementing and evaluating health care. The intention of the nursing community is to ensure that quality health care is accessible to all. While carrying out their duties, nurses should always maintain their credentials, standards, competency and code of ethics (Barker, 2008). The path of becoming a professional nurse is extraordinarily complicated; it requires a clear understanding of the nursing theories and nursing research. One is also expected to undergo training in clinical skills thereafter go for practice before becoming a fully pledged nurse. This paper will discuss the relationship between nursing research and nursing theory; however, the paper will first address each of the above separately.

Nursing Research

It is necessary to understand that research, theory, science and practice are the founding elements of this discipline called nursing. The term nursing research is used to illustrate the evidence used to enhance nursing as a practice. Nursing has developed tremendously from the time of its inception by Florence Nightingale to what it is presently. Many people who have joined the nursing profession have decided to try their hands on research. Most of these nursing researchers are based in universities and health institutions which have decided to go the research way. Nursing research has the mandate of preventing disabilities and diseases, managing and eliminating the symptoms that are caused by illnesses, building strong foundations for clinical practice and enhancing end of life analgesic care. Each of the above issues is highlighted in the latest research technologies which comprises of qualitative and quantitative studies, which are the leading research methods being applied currently (Peterson, 2008).

Nursing theory

A theory in its simplest form is a collection of related ideas that have been combined to form a systematic approach of viewing a phenomenon. Nursing theory defines what nursing entails; it depicts what nurses should do and give guidelines on how goals should be achieved. Non-nursing theories have also been entwined with nursing theories to form a strong backbone for nursing as a profession. The non-nursing theories include biological theories and physical theories which were defined by people like Von Bartlaffny. The immense contribution of nursing theorists like Faye Abdalla and Virginia Henderson have uplifted the face of nursing as a profession to the eyes of people who are in constant need of good health care (Rowe, 2009). The world of health care keeps on changing by the day, this call for the expansion of the discipline of nursing to cater for this growth. The knowledge base of nursing as a discipline must be expounded on to respond to the changing societal needs.

The relationship between nursing research and nursing theory

Levin (1971) assert that since its inception, nursing has always been characterized by many phenomena, it is important to understand that these phenomena culminate from nursing practice. Moreover, nursing theories have always provided an outline of how to address these phenomena, on the other hand, nursing research has always provided in depth answers to these problems. After providing the solutions, the resultant of nursing research is then applied to nursing problem. The thoughts projected by nursing theory are then validated and tested through nursing research, the resultant of this is then used to inform and transform nursing practice. The relationship between nursing research, theory and practice is depicted in the figure below:

References

Barker, Anne. (2008). Advanced Practice Nursing: Essential Knowledge for the Profession. : Jones & Ballet Publishers.

Levine, Myra. (1971). Renewal for Nursing. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.

Peterson, Sandra. (2008). Middle Range Theories: Application to Nursing Research. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Williams.

Rowe, Joanna. (2009). Family Health Care Nursing: Theory, Practice and Research. Philadelphia: F.A Davis.