Integrating Non Nursing Theory Paper

Integrating Non-Nursing Theory

Theories used in nursing research do not have to be only nursing theories. Although this has been debated for years, nurses use information derived from other sources, when developing nursing theories. There are many non-nursing theories that have been used throughout history that have made significant influences on the nursing profession. Maslow’s Hierarchy, Healthy work environment, Quality improvement, Empowerment Theory, Systems Theory, Change Theory, & Chaos Theory have all made significant contributions to nursing research & the development of theories.

Maslow’s Hierarchy

Maslow’s Hierarchy is one of the most important theories, because the focus is on the person both internal needs and self-fulfillment.

Unfreezing is a process that allows people to rid themselves of nonproductive ways. To start something new, old ways must be let go, making room for new and improved ways. Achieving unfreezing is moving in a direction away from the status quo, decrease restraining forces that cause resistance of movement from equilibrium, and finally finding a happy medium that works best (Petiprin, 2016). Change stage is when there is movement to a new level as well as change in behavior and feeling (Petiprin, 2016). Refreezing stage is when the new habits are made the “norm” or they become the standard of operation, keeping patients from sliding back into their old habits. There are also three major concepts that make up the change theory, driving forces, restraining forces and equilibrium (Petiprin, 2016). Driving forces are anything that causes any change to occur, by pushing in the direction of change (Petiprin, 2016). An example of a driving force would be better patient service & satisfaction. Restraining forces are anything that causes resistance when moving toward the direction of change, causing progression to slow (Petiprin, 2016). Restraining example would be staffing shortage leading to less time with patients and decreased patient service. Equilibrium is when no change occurs and driving forces and restraining forces remain equal (Petiprin,

Chaos theory is aimed at discovering order in the superficial disorder of systems and understanding change arises in nonlinear patterns over time (McEwen & Willis, 2014, p. 296). There are four concepts to the chaos theory, the first being sensitive dependence on initial conditions, where the littlest changes can cause an alteration in the path, this is known as the butterfly effect “a butterfly flapping its wings on one side of the world can cause a tornado the next month on the other side of the world” (McEwen & Willis, 2014, p. 297). Next is strange attractor, which is like a magnet that pulls on objects trying to return them to their site of origin (McEwen & Willis, 2014, p. 297). Furthermore, bifurcation the next concept, occurs when the system is pushed of course and there is no chance for recovery causing a state of chaos and arriving at a crossroad (McEwen & Willis, 2014, p. 297). Each time there is a crisis, a bifurcation will follow, the system could be repeated or there are limited choices if the bifurcation is uninterrupted. Finally, dissipative structures are the last concept in chaos theory. Dissipative structures are referring to the “capacity of systems that are far from equilibrium, to change to higher or more complex level of orderliness” (McEwen & Willis, 2014, p. 297). These systems tend to grow out of circumstances that are thought to