Evidence Based Practice Nursing

Week 1
This week’s material helped me to understand in a clear way how we should think about nursing. Getting to know the history of nursing allowed me to put nursing theory into historical context. The personal worldview of nursing that I really like is that of Leininger (2008) and the transcultural approach to nursing.
Week 2
The components of theory and how theories have developing nursing all depend on evidence-based research. Using theories and applying them in practice supports evidence-based practice, which leads to higher quality of care for patients. Testing theories is important for ensuring that the evidence is supportive of the practice.
Week 3
Middle range theories allow nurses to integrate a sociological perspective in with empirical evidence, so that nurses can see how, for example, an empathetic approach to patients or a transcultural approach might yield tangible positive results. Various middle range theories, such as transcultural nursing and end of life care, can be used simultaneously to help better achieve optimal quality care, as each theory provides another element of precision to nursing.
Week 4
Ethical theory is important to a complex health issue in which invasive techniques are needed. A patient’s rights must always be considered and the patient should be informed on the need for invasive techniques because of the type of health issue. Nothing should ever be assumed. Ethics help to protect both patients and nurses in the sense that patients are respected and nurses are safeguarded against overstepping bounds or violating a patient’s beliefs, rights or preferences.
Week 5
Borrowed theories are applicable to nursing in a variety of ways. Other disciplines, whether sociology, philosophy or psychology, can help nurses to better understand the best way to approach patients. For example, empathy theory combines psychology and philosophy to help nurses put themselves in their patients’ shoes (Wiseman, 1996).
Week 6
As nursing is more than just about treating patients but also about helping patients to embrace preventive care, other disciplines can help nurses approach patients in a favorable way so as to promote lifestyle changes that are conducive to health. Patients may not always be receptive to change, so understanding psychology can be helpful, and so too can understanding cultural studies or sociology—as both inform the nurse about the patient’s needs.
Week 7
Organizational theories used in nursing are helpful because nurses do not operate in isolation but rather are part of team. Communication, management, and collaboration are all part of what it means to have organizational success, and that goal is very critical to providing quality care. Leadership styles and leadership theories are also helpful in understanding how nurses can coordinate and achieve goals. Styles such as servant leadership and transformational leadership help nurses to overcome personal obstacles and strive to reach the organizational aims of the nursing department.
Week 8
Science-based theories help nurses to focus on facts and evidence so that they might employ evidence-based practice in their nursing approaches to patients and ensuring quality care. The more science-based theories a nurse is familiar with, the more likely the nurse is to be able to apply the theories in research and in practice. Evidence and facts are critical to true nursing success because they serve as the bedrock upon which quality care is delivered. Nurses without knowledge are not likely to be able to treat patients with any level of satisfactory care.


References
Leininger, M., M. (2008). Transcultural nursing: Its importance in nursing practice.
Journal of Cultural Diversity, 15(1), 37.
Wiseman, T. (1996). A concept of analysis of empathy. Journal of Advanced Nursing,
23, 1162-1167.