Educational and Nursing Theory, Essay Example

Abstract

This work in writing examines the educational theorist Malcolm Knowles and the nursing theorist Florence Nightingale and as well, this work examines the humanistic learning theory. It is the belief of this writer that these two theories in combination with the humanistic learning theory would be effective for use along with alternative therapies and for the nursing practice.

Research Objective

The objective of the research in this study is to examine the theories of Knowles, educational theorist, Nightingale, nursing theorist, humanistic theory and alternative therapies.

Rationale

The rationale for choosing these three theories is the belief that humanistic learning and alternative therapies will be effective for the nursing practice.

Literature Review

Martin Knowles & Adult Learning (Androgogy)

One of the biggest supporters of ‘andragogy’ was Dr. Malcolm Knowles who identified a five-step process in the learning of adults: (1) diagnosis of learning needs; (2) formulation of learning needs; (3) identification of human material resources for learning; (4) choosing and implementing appropriate learning strategies; and (5) evaluation of learning outcomes. (Knowles, Holton and Swanson, 2005, p. 1) Knowles identified a five-step process for learning in adults which includes: (1) the diagnosis of learning needs; (2) the formulation of learning needs; (3) the identification of human material resources for learning; (4) choosing and implementing appropriate learning strategies; and (5) evaluation of learning outcomes. (Knowles, Holton and Swanson, 2005, p. 1)

Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale’s philosophy and theory of nursing received influence from many factors including Nightingale’s professional values and her concerns. Nightingale is reported to have “waged political battles for her causes.” (p.74) It was the belief of Nightingale that disease “was a reparative process; disease was nature’s effort to remedy a process of poisoning or decay, or a reaction against the conditions in which a person was placed.” It was the belief of Nightingale that nurses should be “moral agents” and stated that there should be “concise and clear decision making by the nurse and physician regarding the patient, noting that indecision (irresolution) or changing the mind is more harmful to the patient that having to make a decision.” (Mariner-Tomey and Alligood, 2009) Inductive reasoning was used by Nightingale to “extract laws of health and disease” through her nursing practice and her observations and experiences. (Mariner-Tomey and Alligood,  2009 , paraphrased) The theory of Nightingale is inclusive of the following three primary relationships: (1) the relationship of the environment to the patient; (2) the relationship of the nurse to the environment; and (3) the relationship of the  nurse to the patient. (Mariner-Tomey and Alligood, 2009, p. 81)

Alternative and Complementary Therapies

The work of Cumbie (2001) entitled: “The Integration of Mind-Body-Soul and the Practice of Humanistic Nursing” reports that the focus of nursing has changed and is directed towards a holistic perspective which holds that the nurse’s authentic self must be brought to therapeutic participation in their interactions with other human beings. The art of the therapeutic use is stated to be of “self in relationships” and to involve “an aesthetic process of ongoing reflected action, whereby an individual strives toward a sense of harmony and balance within oneself and with the world.” (Cumbie, 2001, p.1 ) The Board of Registered Nursing, Department of Consumer Affairs for the State of California document entitled “Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Registered Nursing Practice” states the complementary and alternative therapies are based on the medical systems of ancient peoples including Egyptians, Chinese, Asian Indians, Greeks and Native Americans.” (nd) The practice of nursing is reported to have “…traditionally espoused the concepts of systems, holistic and humanistic theories.” (Board of Registered Nursing, Department of Consumer Affairs, State of California, nd) These theories are held to be the “essence of nursing practice and may include complementary and alternative therapies. Because of the theoretical congruence between nursing practice and the practice of complementary and alternative therapies, RNs are in a unique position to bridge the gap between conventional biomedical therapies and complementary and alternative therapies.” (p.1) The practice of nursing is defined by the Nursing Practice Act (NPA) as “…those functions including ‘basic health care that help people cope with difficulties in daily living that are associated with their actual or potential health or illness problems or the treatment thereof, and that require a substantial amount of scientific knowledge or technical skill including all of the following: direct and indirect patient care services…” (Section 2725) Included in the direct and indirect patient services is the competence of the RN to make provision of information concerning complementary and alternative therapies, and to perform complementary and alternative procedures in accordance with the Standards of Competent Performance (CCR, Section 1443.5).” (Board of Registered Nursing, Department of Consumer Affairs, State of California, nd) The alternative nursing practice, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) includes the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) which refers to “philosophies and approaches that Western medicine does not ordinarily accept, use, study , understand or make available.” (Gilbert, 2007, p.3)

Summary and Conclusion

The literature reviewed in this study has informed the study that alternative and contemporary therapies have their place in healthcare delivery but that however, there is an inherent problem with implementation of alternative and complementary therapies. The use of Florence Nightingale’s theory in combination with humanistic theory and the educational theory of Knowles is indicated in this specific study to be a potentially effective method of delivering health care services and specifically those which are related to holistic or natural homeopathic health care treatments and provisions.

References

Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Registered Nursing Practice (nd) Board of Registered Nursing, Department of Consumer Affairs. State and Consumer Services Agency, State of California. Retrieved from: http://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/regulations/npr-b-28.pdf

Fidishun, Dolores (nd)Penn State Great Vallye School of Professional Studies. Andragogy and Technology: Integrating Adult Learning  Theory As We Teach With Technology . Malvern, PA. Retrieved from: http://frank.mtsu.edu/~itconf/proceed00/fidishun.htm

Gilbert, Toni (2007) Alternative Nursing Practice: Creating Inroads for Integrative Healthcare. Alternative journal of Nursing, July 2007, Issue 14. Retrieved from: http://www.altjn.com/perspectives/anp.pdf

Knowles, M.S. (1975). Self directed learning. Parsippany, NJ: Cambridge Adult Education

Knowles, M.S.,  Holton, E. F., and Swanson, R.A (2005) The Adult Learner: The Definitive Classic in Adult Education and Human Resource Development. Butterworth-Heinemann, 2005. Retrieved from: http://books.google.com/books?id=J6qGsHBj7nQC&dq=educational+theory:+Malcolm+Knowles&lr=&source=gbs_navlinks_s

Mariner-Tomey, A. and Alligood, M.R. (2006) Nursing Theorists and Their Work. Elsevier Health Services 2006. Retrieved from: http://books.google.com/books?id=M_xn80tACcoC&dq=Nursing+theory:+Florence+Nightingale&lr=&source=gbs_navlinks_s

Pustizzi, Derrell (2008) The Adult Student Decline: A Study of the Longterm Impact of the Rowan University Strategic Plan. 1 May 2008. Retrieved from: http://ref.lib.rowan.edu/rowan_theses/RU2008/0077ADUL.PDF