This paper examines the foundations of effective nursing care management, arguing that consistent application of nursing principles is essential in a profession marked by unpredictability. Drawing on nursing theory — including Margaret Newman's "Health as Expanding Consciousness" model — the paper addresses four core dimensions of nursing practice: the importance of principled, theory-driven care; the effective and efficient use of available resources; continuous monitoring and adjustment of patient interventions; and the nurse's role in educating patients to develop and maintain independent living skills following hospitalization or ongoing treatment.
The nursing profession is a field where the unpredictable and the unplanned will inevitably occur. It is therefore of the utmost importance that consistency be established through qualified professionals. Relevant nursing principles are designed to provide the practitioner with a clear point of reference even as conditions in a care setting remain volatile or as outcomes are difficult to forecast. The occupation of nursing, while by no means an exact science, is nonetheless strengthened in its consistency, effectiveness, and reliability by the presence of standards and principles designed to forge best practices by which healthcare professionals can direct their efforts.
Certainly, the fieldwork of a nurse in a short-term, long-term, or psychiatric healthcare facility will be shaped in many ways by unforeseen challenges that emerge in treating the medical needs of myriad ailments and patients. However, at the base of the versatility and knowledge required for such difficult work lies a constant theoretical framework that helps the practitioner make crucial treatment decisions that are beneficial to the patient.
The nursing theories from which these consistent principles are drawn — though multifarious and sometimes divergent from one another — still arise from the common point of interest: preserving the well-being of individuals suffering from either fleeting or sustained health deficiencies. In many ways, the nature of the ailment afflicting an individual will have a significant impact on the informational and theoretical conceptualization the nurse will employ when making treatment decisions. This means that an effective nurse must be capable of making such decisions on the spot, applying a proper interpretation of a patient's condition and needs, as well as the facility's treatment capacities, in order to determine the bedside approach best suited to a given case. It is therefore vital that the well-trained nursing professional possess a thorough understanding of the principles underlying the multitude of treatment theories in circulation.
Given the opportunity to decide the best course of action across any number of scenarios, a nursing professional may find that an awareness of the standards, practices, and philosophies informing a variety of theoretical frameworks enables a more confident approach to treatment dilemmas. This awareness functions as a compass that is both empirical and humanistic in nature. It will also help the practitioner to make the most of the resources available in the care setting.
Whether this refers to the amount of space, the number of beds, the accessibility of life-saving equipment, or the availability of certain treatment courses, the degree of personal dedication a nurse provides to a patient will be a key determinant of how these resources are optimized. Such is to say that the nurse is the single greatest resource to the patient, and that through this professional, all other necessary resources are channeled. Essentially, this means that the relationship established between patient and nurse is itself the most valuable resource in combating a condition or improving the patient's health and well-being.
"Newman's model linking empathy to individualized intervention"
"Equipping patients with skills to manage post-care health"
You’re 59% through this paper. Sign up to read the remaining 2 sections.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.