discussion 1 : The nursing theory I found most appealing from the assigned reading was Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory. This theory states that a person, throughout their lifetime, learn behaviors required to maintain and sustain life and overall well-being (Friberg & Creasia 2019 pg. 74). I feel that my nursing career is most reflective of Orem’s theory because as an ICU nurse, through interactions with my patients either directly or through family members, I’m able to learn about their lives prior to the events or ailments leading to the need for critical care interventions. Most of them were productive people, fully able to provide sustainable independent care prior to experiencing their current self-care deficits; some being minor and others more significant or even resulting in complete inability to provide self-care. As a nurse, I feel empowered, along with other members of the patient’s interdisciplinary care team, to assist in bridging the newly exposed self-care gap and perform tasks to help address the deficit. The goal, during the patient’s hospital stay is to help them either return to their original level of independent self-care or to establish a new normal, but still being able to effectively care for themselves to the best extent possible.
Based on Patricia Benner’s concept in “Levels of Nursing Experience”, I placed myself at the level of Advanced Beginner, primarily based on having four years in-hospital experience as a Patient Care Technician before and during nursing school. The experience taught me time management, flexibility, patience, compassion, and enhanced my critical thinking skills. I found that her concept, expressing that one can gain knowledge from “knowing how” without “knowing that”, supports the theory behind gaining a new skill or mastering a specific concept (Benner, 2020). Focusing on improving practical knowledge and application helped me realize that knowing how to perform a skill is more important than learning the theory itself. Upon graduating from nursing school, I felt that I knew so much and so little in the same thought. I recall hearing experienced nurses, whether at my job or during clinicals, say that in nursing school you learn about 10%-20% of nursing knowledge, with the bulk of the learning gained during training and various experiences on the floor. It was more than a bit uncomfortable feeling that there was so much more learning outside of the detailed nursing school curriculum. I was anxious to master the skills, understand the supporting theory, and to confidently grasp the basics of core nursing responsibilities. In the short time I’ve been a nurse, I’ve come to understand more about discerning between “nice to know” and “need to know” knowledge, and also that learning is a continual process gained through study and experience.
As Florence Nightingale laid the foundation of the nursing profession, it is our duty to continue providing high-quality patient care as medicine and societal needs continually evolve. I have considered joining a national nursing organization to gain a better understanding of the current research and expand my knowledge of advanced techniques and treatments. I can use this information to educate my coworkers and introduce opportunities for change within my unit.
discussion 2 : There are several nursing theories that I like and agree with. However, personally, I enjoy Orem’s Theory. According to our text, Conceptual Foundations, The Bridge to Professional Nursing Practice. Orem states that, “Health, which has physical, psychological, interpersonal, and social aspects, is a state in which human beings are structurally and functionally whole or sound (Orem, 1995). Or in other words, “The individual functions biologically, symbolically, and socially.” To me this encompasses the individual as a whole; Physically, emotionally, psychologically, and socially. If any of these things are out of balance and the person is unable to care for themselves in this/these particular areas, then illness occurs. This is when the nurse is able to step in and help the person with these imbalances and aide the patient in self care and recovery. I like that this theory acknowledges that the patient plays a key role in managing their health. There is a level of accountability and I think it focuses on patient involved healthcare. As we have seen in practice, individual’s tend to know their bodies best. Allowing them to be accountable and play a role, can hopefully ensure that the individual is receiving the care the want and need, which in turn promotes adherence and hopefully improvesoutcomes for the patient. According to Patricia Benner’s concept of “From Novice to Expert”, I would place myself in the Advanced Beginner to Competent category. I have only been a nurse for just shy of two years now. I think in some areas I still haven’t had the exposure to feel comfortable. For instance, I feel that neuro isn’t quite my forte, unless it’s stroke related. So I would still place myself in the Advanced Beginner category. For things that I have seen fairly regularly for the past two years, I would say I’m on the bridge between Advanced Beginner and Competent. And prior to my nursing experience, I worked in Cardiology for 13 years. So, in that regard, I would place myself in a higher level for that category in particular. With that being said, I think that Benner’s models are a great general overview. I think that it’s a little broad. Individuals will typically have certain strengths and weakness, and I don’t necessarily think that this model takes that into account. I think there are several ways to become involved. First, I think just delivering great quality care and following the current guidelines for such care, when available, is a good start. With that being said, I think that it is also important to always keep an inquisitive mind. By doing this, and applying critical thinking skills, I think that we can find ways to improve our current processes. Formulating and participating in Evidenced Based Projects, can help achieve this. Maintaining our certifications, as well as acquiring new ones, continuing education, etc. Can ensure that we keep up to date with an ever-evolving field.
instructions: reply to at least 2 peers using a method that facilitates the discussion and is at least 1 paragraph. APA and one reference
