Jennifer Dana Sawyer BSN, RN American Sentinel University Nursing Theory Jennifer Dana Sawyer BSN, RN American Sentinel University

This is primarily due to: The field of nursing is rapidly changing. This is primarily due to: New thoughts and opinions Technological advancements Health discoveries New medical dilemmas created from break-throughs Cuts in organizational budgets (Huang, You, & Tsai, 2012) Sometimes, new technology is deemed outdated, even after a short time period. Staff working at health care facilities often have to make due with less supplies and resources due to numerous cuts in the budgets, and yet they are expected to have the same positive results as before.

Best philosophy for Nursing: Utilization of successful theories and models Following the best framework to ensure goals Extreme emphasis regarding the latest nursing education Successful training of methods for teaching patients Being an advocate for patients (PNEG Professional Nurse Educators Group, n.d.) There is no substitute for continuing education. The most successful models that have been trialed at certain facilities are often utilized at other organizations in hopes to recreate the same, positive results.

Planned Change within the nursing field: Essential within the practice of nursing Is better when staff understand the need Allows individuals to prepare for different methods Often improves negative situations New method of practice for a solution More successful if planned over time Often balances out systems for the better (Mitchell, 2013) Planned change helps staff visualize the changes that are necessary in order to improve a process. The idea of change often makes workers nervous because it is unknown territory. Planned change facilitates a smoother transition for new processes and systems.

Florence Nightingale: One of the first nursing theorists Set the groundwork for modern day nursing Ensured safe, compassionate surroundings for patients Was a determined patient advocate Believed that everyone deserved quality care Set the precedence for modern health systems (Selanders & Crane, 2012) Florence Nightingale paved the route for modern nursing. Without her, nursing would not be what it has become today. Many of today’s standards of care are based upon her thoughts and opinions from the past.

Dorothea Orem: High regard for nurse and patient education Emphasized teaching patients to care for themselves Advocated importance for personal growth Facilitated patients self-empowerment through enlightenment (McEwen & Wills, 2014) Dorothea Orem’s thoughts supported the idea that knowledge creates personal power. She was an enormous advocate for not only nurses being educated, but also patients and their families, in order to facilitate the best, overall outcomes.

Malcolm Knowles: Explained how adult learners receive new information Stressed importance of changing the learner’s surroundings Proved learning success through customization of techniques Adults learn through association of relative experiences Adults more motivated to learn by reasoning (Butts & Rich, 2011) Malcolm Knowles’ thoughts reflected the idea that educators need to be able to alter the learner’s surroundings in order for teaching to be successful. The theories reflect the significance through mutual respect between the teacher and the student, particularly if they are an adult learner.

Theorists have commonalities: Question the way things are done Bring forth innovative ideas Discover new techniques for current methods Challenge existing systems to improve them Strive to create better solutions and practices Set baselines of values, beliefs and standards (McEwen & Wills, 2014) Basically, all methods, systems, and standards of care have been formulated because someone sought better methods for the system. Things cannot be done just because it is the way they have always been done. Methods and standards must be questioned in order for positive changes to be made.

Nursing theories and the profession of nursing: Perpetually innovative Constantly changing and evolving Improve existing techniques for current practices Seek to find new solutions for problems Continually strive to better individuals’ quality of life Raise the bar for standards of care Remind caregivers to question current practices (PNEG Professional Nurse Educators Group, n.d.). Nursing processes are continually evolving and keeping up with current information and trends. The profession of nursing continues to grow and change along with society’s health needs. The groundwork has been laid from prior theories, and new ideas continue to build upon them.

References Butts, J., & Rich, K. (2011). Philosophies and theories for advanced nursing practice. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Huang, C., You, C., & Tsai, M. (2012). A multidimensional analysis of ethical climate, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and organizational citizenship behaviors. Nursing Ethics, 19(4), 513-529. McEwen, M., & Wills, E. (2014). Theoretical basis for nursing (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Mitchell, G. (2013). Selecting the best theory to implement planned change. Nursing Management-UK, 20(1), 32-37. PNEG Professional Nurse Educators Group. (n.d.). Forging the future through continuous professional development. Retrieved Septmeber 9, 2014, from PNEG Professional Nurse Educators Group: http://pneg.org/ Selanders, L., & Crane, P. (2012). The voice of Florence Nightingale on advocacy. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 17(1).