Nursing Theory Analysis

Nursing theory has potential to improve nursing practice. It strengthens the nursing focus of care. It changes the way we think, and it turns our attention. The nursing theory does not tell us how to do the particular nursing activity. It tells us why a nursing particular activity is important to a patient at that specific time. It guides our thought processes and focuses on the specific areas to bring the patient back to a certain point where he or she can have a quality life. It gives us a lot of direction, and it builds basic structures to promote the greatest quality of nursing care in any individuals. Nurses are not just doing actions, they critically thinking about particular patients’ needs and applying certain theories and ideas

“Peplau applies principles of human relations to problems that arise at all levels. Throughout the nurse-patient relationship, the nurse, and patient work together to become more knowledgeable in the care process” (Deane and Fain, 2016, p. 36). Peplau described nursing roles in seven different ways as a counselor, resource, teacher, counseling, surrogate, leader, and technical expert. As a home health nurse, my major nursing role was teacher focused on patient teaching. For example, educating patient who has high blood pressure about DASH diet which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Also, this theory introduced four progressive phases between nurse and patient to build a strong nurse-patient relationship. In orientation period, when a nurse and patient meet, each role began to be understood. Next, identification phase, a patient begins to identify problems to be worked on within the relationship. The nurse’s goal is to help a patient to realize his or her role as a participant to achieve a goal and promote responsibility for self. In exploitation phase, patient’s trust is fully developed and uses the nursing resources to solve immediate problems. Finally, resolution phase, the patient no longer need nursing staff, and patient attains more self-reliance to deal with his or her problem. One of my home health patient who has type 2 diabetic, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and

Patients have rights to make decisions about their treatment or refuse medical intervention. Patients make advance directive including a living will or Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order ahead of time regarding the end of life issues. If a patient chooses to leave the hospital against medical advice, he or she can be discharged. Also, the patient can participate in decision making during nursing care in hospitals. “Patient participation in decision making in the implementation of nursing care was found to be higher in practical aspects of care, covering essential patient needs (personal hygiene, rest and sleep, and feeding)” (Kolovos, Kaitelidou, Lemonidou, Sachlas, Sourtzi, 2014, p. 154). In a surgery center, when patients sign the consent form for endoscopy or colonoscopy procedure, they have right to choose the level of sedation range from minimal sedation to general anesthesia or choose no sedation at all. In home health care, patients can participate to choose available days for a nurse visit, physical therapist/occupation therapist, and home health aide visit in a care plan. As a result, nurses should respect patient’s different beliefs, values, and ideas to develop a patient-centered care in any