NR501 Nursing Theory Essays and Discussions

16 July 2024

NR501 Nursing Theory Essays and Discussions

Week 1 Discussion: Importance of Theory in Nursing

Debate on the Importance of Nursing Theory

For many students enrolled in NR501, this is an initial course for nursing theory. So, let’s have a debate! Is nursing theory important to the nursing profession? If you believe that it is important, explain why it is useful. If you do not believe that it is useful, explain why nursing theory is not necessary for the profession. Be sure to provide an example that demonstrates your opinion and a scholarly reference (not using the required textbook or lesson) which supports your opinion.

Importance of Nursing Theory

Nursing theory is crucial to the nursing profession for several reasons. It helps define the discipline, provides a framework for research and practice, and supports the development of new roles within nursing (Im & Chung, 2012). For example, nursing theories like Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring guide nurses in providing compassionate and patient-centered care, which enhances patient outcomes and satisfaction. By establishing nursing as a distinct profession, theory ensures that nursing practices are based on critically appraised science (Power, 2016).

Week 2 Discussion: Significance of Nursing Concepts within the Profession

Metaparadigm of Nursing

This discussion considers the metaparadigm of nursing and the four concepts of the nursing profession—person, environment, health, and nursing. Select a practice area of the nursing profession (e.g., education, executive, informatics, healthcare policy, or advanced clinical practice) and apply each of the four concepts to the selected area. Include an example that demonstrates the application to the practice area and support your initial posting with scholarly references.

Week 3 Discussion: Steps of Concept Analysis

Concept Analysis Preparation

At the end of Week 4, your concept analysis is due. This discussion provides an opportunity to start this assignment. Select a nursing concept (be sure to use a nursing theory) and then provide a response to each step included in a concept analysis regarding your selected concept. This information does not have to be comprehensive but provides a foundation for the upcoming assignment. Include a scholarly reference.

Week 4 Discussion: Connection Between Theory and Advanced Clinical Practice

Role of Nursing Theory in Clinical Practice

While the focus of this course is nursing theory, some nurses argue that theory has no role in clinical practice. What are your thoughts? Does nursing theory have a role in clinical practice? How would you use nursing theory to improve or evaluate the quality of clinical practice? Include an example to illustrate your thoughts and a scholarly reference.

Week 5 Discussion: Borrowed (Non-Nursing) Theories Applied to the Nursing Profession

Application of Borrowed Theories

While the focus of this course is nursing theory, frequently the use of non-nursing or borrowed theories occurs. Select a nursing practice area (e.g., education, executive, advanced clinical practice, informatics, or healthcare policy); then identify a non-nursing (borrowed) theory and apply it to the selected area. Provide an example of how the non-nursing theory can be used to enhance the selected practice area and support your information with scholarly references.

Week 6 Discussion: Impact of Nursing Theory Upon Healthcare Organization

Application of Middle-Range Nursing Theory

Discuss how a specific middle-range nursing theory has been or could be applied by nurse leaders or nurse managers to effectively address an administrative issue (e.g., staffing, use of supplies, staff performance issues). Include an example from the literature or your own experience to illustrate your points.

Week 7 Discussion: Nursing Theory Applied to Research

Application of Nursing Theory to PICOT Format

In NR 500, you developed a PICOT question. Select a nursing theory that you find useful in nursing practice. Discuss how your selected nursing theory can guide the elements of the PICOT format:

  • Population/Patient Problem: How does your nursing theory guide the selection of the population or patient problem?
  • Intervention: Does your nursing theory suggest a possible intervention? How is your selected intervention consistent with your nursing theory?
  • Outcome: How would the outcome of your PICOT study contribute to your nursing theory? Would it add new information or confirm some part of the theory? Include a scholarly reference.

Week 8 Discussion: Course Reflection and Future Application

Reflection on Nursing Theory Application

Throughout the discussions in NR501, the common element has been the application of theory. As we conclude, focus on your future practice area, considering your capstone project. Select one nursing theory that you prefer and answer the following questions:

  1. Why do you prefer the nursing theory you selected?
  2. How can this theory be used in your current practice area (education, executive, advanced clinical practice, informatics, or healthcare policy)?
  3. How can this theory be used in your future practice area (education, executive, advanced clinical practice, informatics, or healthcare policy)?

Week 2 Assignment: Importance of Theory

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to identify a nursing theory, analyze its importance to the nursing profession, summarize key concepts and relationships among the concepts of the selected nursing theory, present views of the theory on areas of specialization, and communicate ideas clearly and scholarly.

Course Outcomes

Through this assignment, the student will demonstrate the ability to:

  • (CO#1) Analyze theories from nursing and relevant fields with respect to their components, relationships among the components, logic of the propositions, comprehensiveness, and utility to advanced nursing. (PO1)
  • (CO#3) Communicate the analysis of and proposed strategies for the use of a theory in nursing practice. (PO3, 7, 10)
  • (CO#4) Demonstrate logical and creative thinking in the analysis and application of a theory to nursing practice. (PO4, 7)

Requirements

Description of the Assignment

This assignment focuses on the importance of nursing theory within the profession. Selecting one nursing theory (non-nursing theories are not allowed), the nursing theory will be presented by identifying the key concepts present within the theory. The selected nursing theory will then be applied to one of the following professional nursing practice areas: education, leadership, informatics, healthcare policy, or nurse practitioner.

Criteria for Content

  1. Introduction:
    • Statements about nursing theory in general.
    • Identification of the selected nursing theory.
    • Identification of the sections of the paper.
    • References from nursing literature.
  2. Importance of Nursing Theory:
    • Analysis of the importance of nursing theory to the profession.
    • Answers to the following questions:
      • Why should the study of nursing theory be included in a master’s program?
      • How is nursing theory useful to the profession?
      • How can nursing theory distinguish the nursing profession from other healthcare professions?
      • What is one concern regarding the use of nursing theory within the profession?
    • References from nursing literature.
  3. Summary of Selected Nursing Theory:
    • Name and author of the selected theory.
    • Summary of key concepts within the theory.
    • Description of how the theory addresses the metaparadigms of nursing (person, health, environment, nursing).
    • Explanation of why the theory was selected and its potential use within the student’s Master’s track.
    • References from nursing literature.
  4. Application of Specific Nursing Theory to Selected Professional Nursing Practice Area:
    • Discussion of how the selected nursing theory defines and explains one professional nursing practice area.
    • Two examples illustrating the application of the theory to practice.
    • References from nursing literature.
  5. Conclusion:
    • Summary of the importance of theory in nursing.
    • Summary of the selected nursing theory.
    • Self-reflection on the knowledge gained from the assignment.

Criteria for Format and Special Instructions

  1. Use a nursing theory.
  2. Submit to TurnItIn™ with a Similarity Index of “blue” or “green” (less than 24% similarity).
  3. Minimum of 4 scholarly references (within a 5-year timeframe unless otherwise approved).
  4. Follow APA guidelines (6th edition).
  5. Paper length: 5-7 pages (excluding title and reference pages).
  6. Cite and reference ideas from scholarly sources.
  7. Follow rules of grammar, spelling, word usage, and punctuation.

Week 4 Assignment: Concept Analysis

Purpose

This assignment provides an opportunity for students to complete an analysis of a concept supported by a nursing theory using an identified process. The assignment fosters analytical thinking related to the selected concept and its application within the profession.

Course Outcomes

Through this assignment, the student will demonstrate the ability to:

  • (CO#1) Analyze theories from nursing and relevant fields with respect to their components, relationships among the components, logic of the propositions, comprehensiveness, and utility to advanced nursing. (PO1)
  • (CO#3) Communicate the analysis of and proposed strategies for the use of a theory in nursing practice. (PO3, 7, 10)
  • (CO#4) Demonstrate logical and creative thinking in the analysis and application of a theory to nursing practice. (PO4, 7)

Requirements

Description of the Assignment

This assignment presents a modified method for conducting a concept analysis of one concept important and useful to nursing. The concept must be supported by a published nursing theory. The analysis will synthesize knowledge for application through the creation of model, borderline, and contrary cases, and discuss theoretical applications of the concept.

Criteria for Content

  1. Introduction:
    • Role of concept analysis within theory development.
    • Identification of the selected nursing concept.
    • Identification of the nursing theory addressing the selected concept.
    • Sections of the paper.
    • Scholarly support.
  2. Definition/Explanation of the Selected Nursing Concept:
    • Definition/explanation using scholarly literature.
    • Substantive discussion with support from nursing literature.
  3. Literature Review:
    • Discussion of at least six scholarly nursing literature sources on the selected concept.
    • Organized presentation of themes, ideas, and facts from the sources.
    • Support from nursing literature.
  4. Defining Attributes:
    • Minimum of three attributes.
    • Substantive discussion with support from nursing literature.
  5. Antecedent and Consequence:
    • Identification of one antecedent and one consequence.
    • Substantive discussion with support from nursing literature.
  6. Empirical Referents:
    • Identification of two empirical referents.
    • Substantive discussion with support from nursing literature.
  7. Construct Cases:
    • Creation and discussion of a model case, borderline case, and contrary case.
  8. Theoretical Applications of the Concept:
    • Purpose of concept analysis in relation to theory.
    • Application of the concept to the selected nursing theory.
    • Substantive discussion with support from nursing literature.
  9. Conclusion:
    • Summary of key information about the selected nursing concept and theory.
    • Application of concept analysis findings to advanced practice nursing.
    • Self-reflection on new knowledge gained.

Criteria for Format and Special Instructions

  1. Paper length: 6-8 pages (excluding title and reference pages).
  2. Follow APA guidelines (6th edition).
  3. Use a published nursing theory (non-nursing theories not allowed).
  4. Minimum of 6 scholarly references.
  5. Cite and reference ideas from scholarly sources.
  6. Follow rules of grammar, spelling, word usage, and punctuation.

Week 6 Assignment: Application of Nursing Theory

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to use nursing theory as a way to resolve a problem or issue within nursing leadership, education, informatics, health policy, or advanced clinical practice.

Course Outcomes

Through this assignment, the student will demonstrate the ability to:

  • (CO#1) Analyze theories from nursing and relevant fields with respect to their components, relationships among the components, logic of the propositions, comprehensiveness, and utility to advanced nursing. (PO1)
  • (CO#3) Communicate the analysis of and proposed strategies for the use of a theory in nursing practice. (PO3, 7, 10)
  • (CO#4) Demonstrate logical and creative thinking in the analysis and application of a theory to nursing practice. (PO4, 7)

Requirements

Description of the Assignment

One nursing theory will be presented as a framework to resolve a problem within one of the professional areas of leadership, education, informatics, healthcare policy, or advanced clinical practice. The same nursing theory from Assignment One may be used. Only a specific, published nursing theory may be selected and applied to the issue or concern.

Content

  1. Introduction:
    • General statements on the application of nursing theory to solve problems/issues in nursing practice.
    • One-paragraph summary of the selected nursing theory.
    • Sections of the assignment.
    • References from nursing literature.
  2. Description of Issue or Concern:
    • Clear identification of the issue or concern significant to the professional area.
    • Comprehensive but concise presentation answering:
      • What is the specific issue or concern?
      • Why should the nursing profession care about this issue?
      • What does the literature say about this issue, including its frequency?
      • Who are the stakeholders affected by the issue?
    • References from nursing literature.
  3. Application of Selected Nursing Theory to Issue or Concern:
    • Restating the selected nursing theory.
    • Identification of one strategy to resolve the issue.
    • Detailed presentation of the strategy, including:
      • Description of how the nursing theory can resolve the issue.
      • Detailed description of the strategy.
      • Detailed description of the implementation of the strategy.
      • Suggestion for future research.
    • References from nursing literature.
  4. Conclusion:
    • Summary of key elements of the assignment.
    • Self-reflection on new knowledge gained about applying nursing theory to a professional issue.

Preparing the Assignment

  1. Use a nursing theory (non-nursing theories not allowed).
  2. Paper length: 6-8 pages (excluding title and reference pages).
  3. Minimum of 6 scholarly references (within 5 years unless approved).
  4. Follow APA guidelines (6th edition).
  5. Cite and reference ideas from scholarly sources.
  6. Follow rules of grammar, spelling, word usage, and punctuation