Scientific Underpinnings, Term Paper Example

Theoretical principles in nursing practice examine problems through a new lens to improve their understanding and to develop viable solutions in a creative manner. Many initiatives explore new insights regarding a given issue to improve knowledge and resources in guiding persons towards improving their health and wellbeing. For those who are experiencing breastfeeding for the first time, there is a strong need to support a caring and nurturing environment in which to accomplish this task. This is an important reminder of the different needs and expectations that impact breastfeeding and how to make this experience as effective as possible for the child and for the mother. Therefore, evidence-based practice methods and theoretical principles from Madeline Leininger’s theory must be explored as a means of developing new strategies to advance the success of this task for mother and child (Baby-Friendly USA, 2014). The following discussion will address breastfeeding and its outcomes in greater detail and will emphasize the importance of Leininger’s cultural theory and its impact on this practice and its health benefits.

Description of the Theory

Leininger’s Culture Care theory supports different areas that impact nursing care and treatment and enable a nurse to better understand the impact of a systems-based environment on nursing practice. This theory embodies the spirit of nursing in the context of culture and how it impacts a caring and nurturing environment to treat patients with the utmost respect and professionalism at all times, regardless of culture or ethnicity. This is an essential component of nursing practice and requires nurses to “enhance the quality of culturally congruent, competent, and equitable care that results in improved health and wellbeing for people worldwide” (Alligood, 2013). Dr. Leininger also established the Transcultural Nursing Society as a means of advancing the practice environment through a level of care and treatment that is not only satisfactory, but that also represents nurses in a manner that is consistent with the needs of a diverse patient population (Alligood, 2013). In accordance with Leininger’s theory, the following is observed: “Culturally competent nursing care can only occur when client beliefs and values are thoughtfully and skillfully incorporated into nursing care plans. Caring is the core of nursing. Culturally competent nursing guides the nurse to provide optimal holistic, culturally based care. These practices also help the client to care for himself and others within a familiar, supportive, and meaningful cultural context” (Sitzman & Eichelberger, 2010). This perspective supports the need for nurses to support key principles of the practice environment with respect to care and treatment and to understand the level of knowledge that is required to enhance cultural competence that is applied to patient care situations across a variety of areas (Sitzman & Eichelberger, 2010).

With Leininger’s theory, it is most important to establish a caring environment in which there are opportunities to explore a greater focus on human health through the activities that are conducted and the decisions that are made by nurses on behalf of their patients (Smith, Turkel, & Wolf, 2013). In this context, nurses must be able to recognize the value of different perspectives and approaches in order to accomplish the intended objectives in treatment, while also recognizing the humanistic and caring side of nursing to extend compassion to patients under difficult circumstances (Smith et.al, 2013). This is an important tool in the development of new ideas that support patient health and wellbeing through caring and cultural competence for nurses who support all human beings and their wellbeing (Smith et.al, 2013). It is important to recognize the value of developing strategic approaches that will impact nurses through cultural competence and strength in treating all patients with the respect that they deserve while receiving nursing care (Smith et.al, 2013).

Reflection on the Theory

Nurses who administer care to new mothers to support their breastfeeding activities must be able to effectively communicate the evidence-based practices that have been identified in order to achieve successful outcomes. A number of evidence-based principles have been established in this area that promote a safe and effective environment from a nursing perspective so that patients receive the attention, focus, and guidance that is necessary to achieve successful outcomes with these activities. For mothers who breastfeed, nursing guidance and expertise is essential in order to provide the best possible experience for their children; therefore, they often depend on nurses to offer insight regarding this practice in order to ensure that the desired outcomes are met and that other factors are also considered as part of this practice in an effort to meet or even exceed expectations.

Leininger’s theory may be applied to this specific population because for some mothers, their cultural needs and their ability to communicate regarding this practice may not be effective; therefore, nurses must be able to step in and to support new directions in the practice environment that will support a new set of ideas to accommodate patients who seek to breastfeed their children.  It is also necessary to determine how to improve the circumstances under which women require education to breastfeed under the guidance of a professional nurse, because if communication is poor and cultural limitations exist, these experiences will be unsuccessful over time. Nurses must improve their cultural awareness and competence in advancing outcomes to ensure that new mothers receive the proper guidance regarding this practice to ensure wellbeing and optimal nutrition for their children. This process also supports a greater understanding of the differences in how organizations respond to changes based upon evidence within the practice environment. This supports a greater understanding of how to treat patients who require guidance in this area and the steps that are required to accomplish these objectives accordingly.

With the application of Leininger’s cultural theory, it is possible to educate nurses regarding their responsibilities to all patients, regardless of their culture. This is an important step towards the discovery of new ideas to ensure that all patients are treated with the utmost respect and professionalism during all aspects of patient care and treatment to facilitate positive performance and outcomes. These experiences will support a nurse’s ability to be proactive in meeting patient care needs and in demonstrating new ideas and approaches to promote positive results for patients. These opportunities encourage nurses to be effective communicators with their patients and to exercise flexibility in many areas, including language needs. Therefore, nurses must be able to bridge any gaps in language deficiencies that exist in order to accomplish the intended objectives in treatment and to recognize the value of developing a strategy to overcome barriers in communication.

Nurses must accept that cultural differences will exist throughout the practice environment and that these will demonstrate an important understanding of the challenges related to patient care that influence outcomes in different ways. It also supports the role of nurses in providing high quality care and treatment to patients and in recognizing the value of improving patient care and treatment through cultural means. This is an important step towards the discovery of new ideas and opportunities that will encourage nurses to work with patients on a proactive basis and to be cognizant of any limitations that might exist that will have a lasting impact on patient care outcomes. This also drives the ability of nurses to recognize the value of patient care and in supporting the need to work with patients and to support cultural diversity in different ways. These options will ensure that patients are able to engage patients and to be effective communicators with them at all times to promote greater quality of care.

Conclusion

Madeline Leininger established the Culture Care Theory in order to enable nurses to recognize the importance of culturally competent care for all patients, and this concept represents an opportunity to examine other areas where there is a need to reflect upon activities conducted by nurses with their patients. For new mothers who begin to breastfeed, nurses must demonstrate compassionate and culturally responsible care in this area in order to support a nurturing environment in order to learn this task effectively and without unnecessary complications. It is important for nurses to effectively adapt to patients from different cultures and to recognize that there may be differences in how patents approach or observe breastfeeding activities.

It is important to identify some of the key principles in order to support cultural needs and expectations appropriately in the context of nursing practice. These principles ensure that new mothers who are breastfeeding for the first time, as well as those who are experienced in this practice with other children, receive the most updated knowledge and training in this area in order to improve the practice and provide optimal benefits for their children to promote their growth and development. These factors support the creation of a set of activities that will improve nursing care and treatment for patients over the long term and provide them with the tools that are necessary to improve outcomes and overall health and wellbeing. For mothers who breastfeed, therefore, it is necessary to identify specific areas that will have a lasting impact on patients and that will support and enhance the activities related to patient care that will improve a child’s nutritional intake as a result of this practice.

References

Alligood, M.R. (2013). Nursing Theory: Utilization and Appreciation. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Baby-Friendly USA (2014). The ten steps to successful breastfeeding. Retrieved from http://www.babyfriendlyusa.org/about-us/baby-friendly-hospital-initiative/the-ten-steps

McFarland, M. R. (2013). Leininger’s Theory of Culture Care Diversity and Universality in Nursing Practice. Nursing Theory: Utilization & Application, 350.

Sitzman, K., & Eichelberger, L.W. (2010). Understanding the Work of Nurse Theorists: A Creative Beginning. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Smith, M.C., Turkel, M.C., & Wolf, Z.R. (2013). Caring in Nursing Classics: An Essential Resource. New York: Springer Publishing Company.