The Importance of Nursing Science, Essay Example

Differentiate between nursing science and nursing theory

Nursing science has to do with the practice of nursing primarily interventions such as delivery of medication to a patient, passing a catheter and the business of health care. The term is also used to describe the nursing profession. A precise definition has been given as “an identifiable, discrete body of knowledge comprising paradigms, frameworks, and theories” (Barrett, 2002, p. 56). Nursing theory consists of the body of knowledge applied to a particular practice/ science. For example, the theory behind the nursing practice regulating nurse patient interaction could be classified as the interpersonally relationship theory.

Identify criteria necessary for science

The science criteria are the feature that makes nursing a science. Bodies of knowledge gained from theory become applicable to interventions for improving nursing interventions. Therefore, the science must offer scope for application beyond intuition, but from evidence proving successful outcomes. For example, if there is no nursing science, nursing theory becomes futile. Consequently, the applicability criterion is essential to the science (Schmelzer, 2008)

Identify criteria necessary for theory

Theories must present concepts and propositions. For example the interpersonal relationship theory contains certain assumptions indicating specific applications to the science when a nurse is relating to a patient during care in and out of a clinical setting. The assumptions are referred to as proposition or reason for performing an action. The concept behind this theory is that nurse patient relationship must be an interpersonal process with boundaries.

 Discuss how nursing science, theory, and practice are inter-relationship

Nursing science embodies skills through which theories are applies within a given health care setting. Practice is the art of executing these skills time after time. For example, the  nursing science involved in passing a cather is understanding where the urethra is located and passing the catheter in the correct orifice, which is the practice the theory relates to catherization as a procedure to relief urinary retention.

References

Barrett, E. (2002). What is nursing science? Nursing Science Quarterly, 15(1), 51-60

Schmelzer, M. (2008). The importance of nursing science: Six lessons from history. Gastroenterology Nursing, 31(6), 438-440.