Roy Adaptation Model in nursing practice and leadership

Nursing Theory -- Roy Adaptation Model

The Roy Adaptation Model is one of the most commonly cited and used options when it comes to nursing theories. It has been in existence since 1976, and has had a number of years to be adjusted and changed to work with the adjustments that have occurred in the field of nursing over time (Alligood, 2011). Being able to adapt and change is a very important part of nursing, because all patients are different. Additionally, treatments and medications change rapidly, and that can be difficult to keep up with if a nurse is not focused on adapting his or her style and beliefs to the changing nature of medicine. Here, the importance of nursing theory will be explored, along with the key points that are used in the Roy Adaptation Model. The views and ideas that the model provides when it comes to nursing leadership will be addressed, too, because nurses must often work as leaders and make quick decisions that can affect their patients and other members of the medical team.

The Importance of Nursing Theory

There is great value in nursing theory in general, and that is the case no matter what theory is being explored or addressed. Each nurse is different, and each one has thoughts and feelings on how nursing should be handled. Additionally, each one has beliefs as to what can and should be done when caring for patients and handling other nursing-related activities. While nurses have to work within the context of what is required by their employers, and they clearly have to follow specific guidelines in order to keep patients safe and properly cared for, the individual nurse may have a number of coping techniques that he or she uses in order to make sure both mental and physical health are maintained (Polit & Beck, 2013; Roy, 2011a). Burnout is common among nurses, but there are ways in which it can be avoided. One of these is by finding the nursing theory that resonates with that nurse most closely, and then embracing that theory and making it a part of life (Alligood, 2011).

When a nurse does that, he or she can use that theory in order to be more successful, and also in order to be more careful about how he or she feels about the work being performed. When a theory resonates with a particular nurse, that nurse will follow the theory and be more focused on the benefits that theory provides. Many nursing theories are adapted and adopted by entire groups of nurses in a medical facility, but this is not the case all the time. In some facilities, nurses are very different regarding what they feel comfortable with and what kinds of theories they believe in (Yan, Yan, & Qian, 2011). Each nurse must locate a theory to which he or she subscribes, and a theory that works properly for him or her. Once that has been done, the nurse can use that theory to move forward with his or her career, and can also focus on ways to avoid getting burned out or struggling with the mental and emotional health aspects of the job and the changes and pressures that are faced. The Roy Adaptation Model is among the most popular theories for nurses, because of its flexibility.

Key Points of the Roy Adaptation Model

There are several key points that can and should be addressed in the Roy Adaptation Model. These include:

The four concepts that make up the model: person, environment, health, and nursing.

The six-step process used by those who work through the model: assessment of behavior, assessment of stimuli, goal setting, nursing diagnosis, evaluation, and intervention.

The three basic concepts that come with the model: adaptation, nursing, and the human being.

The three types of stimuli: contextual, residual, and focal.

The four modes of adaptation: self-concept, physiologic, role function, and interdependence (Roy, 2011b).

The model sees a person as a very complex being, which is why there are so many parts and steps that can and should be considered. People are whole beings, and they are more than just the sum of their parts. They are adaptive, and yet they are very resistant to change in a number of ways. Because that creates a dichotomy within them, they can struggle with moving through life and career, especially when stressors are placed on them (Polit & Beck, 2013). There are few professions that are as consistently stressful as nursing, so nurses have to find ways to adjust and adapt to what they are experiencing and going through. The Roy Adaptation Model allows for that, because it helps nurses look inward and discover who they are (Roy, 2011a). The more they understand about who they are and how they respond to various stimuli, the more they are able to make corrections that help them minimize stress and still get as much done as possible (Alligood, 2011; Polit & Beck, 2013). Coping skills are very important, and each person copes differently. Understanding how to cope can be far more important than the exact technique that is used.

Interaction with the environment is continual, so the adaptation must also be continual (Yan, Yan, & Qian, 2011). That can help a nurse recognize that he or she is able to adapt, and that there are many ways to do so. The theory does not focus on specifically how a person has to adapt, since there are numerous effective ways in which that can be done. Telling a person how to adapt to something is not as effective as ensuring them that they can adapt to something -- and then allowing them to find the best way to do that. Because of the differences inherent in human beings, the way one person adapts may be completely different from the way another person adapts, but both adaptations may be completely valid and helpful (Roy, 2011b). By exercising different modes of adaptation, a nurse is able to find what works in both stressful and non-stressful situations, so that the nurse can continue to care for patients properly. When a nurse experiences burnout it hurts the nurse, but also hurts the patients under his or her care (Alligood, 2011).

Conclusion

There are a number of models that are used in nursing, and a great many theories that are also very important to the field. By examining them and paying close attention to what they offer, nurses are better able to care for themselves, their medical teams, and their patients. That keeps the mental and physical health of everyone involved strong, and can provide the best outcomes for the largest number of people. By ensuring that they understand the adaptive nature of the model in question, nurses can also realize that they can and should adapt to what their lives and their careers are bringing them. That will help them to find the proper coping mechanisms, and make sure they are able to address the concerns they have so they can continue working efficiently.

Overall, the Roy Adaptation Model is not perfect. However, this is the case with any and all nursing theories that are explored. They all offer something valuable, but none of them offer everything a person needs or wants to know when he or she chooses nursing as a profession. Instead, it is best to understand a number of nursing theories and choose the one that seems to be the best fit for that particular person and/or that particular situation. It is only by doing that, that a nurse will reach his or her full potential and be able to help the largest number of patients and other medical professionals. Nurses who are adaptable and flexible are better able to process and handle their own mental health, which keeps them in the profession longer and allows them to help and protect more patients.