Nursing Theories Provide Evidence-Based Practice To The Nursing Process

Nursing theory emerged to help define nursing, identify boundaries, and outline the goals of nursing as a whole. Nursing theories help provide evidence-based practice to the nursing process. Prior to the evolution of nursing theories there was very little understanding as to what role a nurse should play. However, after nursing research began to evolve, observations were made to clinical situations, and outcomes were observed, nursing theories emerged. Several conceptual models have been created based on theories to outline the framework of the nursing practice (Kearney-Nunnery, 2012). Imogene King’s conceptual system focuses on the nurse-patient relationship and communication. King believed that by enhancing the nurse-patient relationship

The interpersonal system includes dyads, triads, and small groups. A dyad is considered two individuals, while a triad is considered three individuals (Killeen & King, 2007). A nurse-patient interaction could also be considered an interpersonal system. Interaction, communication, transaction, role, stress, and coping are the concepts that outline how a human interacts with the environment. Interaction and communication must take place to create and maintain a relationship in an interpersonal system. Following communication is a transaction between two or more individuals. A transaction must take place in order to achieve valued goals. Each individual has a role in the interpersonal system. If the nurse or the patient experience role conflict then stress can occur. Balance is maintained in the interpersonal system with coping. Coping is how an individual deals with the stress of interactions and the environment (Kearney-Nunnery, 2012). “Large groups with common interests and goals create another kind of human experience within a community organization called social systems” (Killeen & King, 2007, p. 53). King proposed that nursing not only includes personal and interpersonal systems, but it also includes social systems (Frey, Sieloff, & Norris, 2002). The social systems concept includes organization amongst human beings of the group. Each person in the social system has a specific position or status within the social system and has a restricted amount of decision making authority based on their position. King believed that it is crucial for a patient to interact effectively in a social role to regain or retain health (Kearney-Nunnery,