Nursing Theories: Importance and Applicability in Practice

This article explores the importance and applicability of nursing theories in practice. It discusses how theories guide nursing practice and research, and the impact of Watson's caring theory on patient care. The article also introduces the author's personal theory of care and its impacts.

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Nursing Theories
Authors name
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Introduction

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The nursing profession is founded on a cyclical relationship between research, practice
and theory. Theories are as a result of research into practice (De Chesnay & Anderson, 2019).
Practice is guided by theories following their formulation. Research is also guided by existing
theories. It is thus impossible to separate all these aspects of the profession. Effective nursing
practice is based on knowledge skills and the right attitudes towards patient care and safety.
Nursing theories are an integral part of the course of patient care. For instance, theories on caring
have been formulated to guide nurses in ensuring better services are accorded. The theories are
derived from the fundamental principles of patient care and safety (Alligood, 2017). The offer
guidance and provide a more organized and defined manner to carry out the process. The
purpose of developing a theory is to build on the knowledge that has been accrued from research.
Watson’s caring theory.
This theory was developed by Jean Watson between 1975 and 1979 and was published in
1979. Her idea of this theory was inspired by her commitment to bringing meaning to the nursing
profession. She tried to put across the fact that nursing values, knowledge and practices of
human caring were aimed at providing an inner healing process (Sitzman, 2017). She felt that the
patient required unique caring healing art in order to get well. This led to the development of the
famous carative factors which complemented conventional medical practice. The philosophy of
caring is based on the four main principles; human science, human caring process, experiences
and phenomena. Watson's theory of caring is based on this philosophy too. It incorporates a
blend of science and humanity. It has been mainly drawn from the foundations of Buddhism
mainly focusing on holism.
According to Jones (2018), the theory has three components; carative factors or Caritas
process, development of a transpersonal caring relationship and the caring event. The carative

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factors later evolved into the Caritas process. The aim of the carative factors is to guide the core
of nursing which is care. The first three factors are the basic foundations while the rest build up
upon them. Caring and love are important in the profession. installation of faith and hope is one
of the factors. Nurses should be a source of hope and motivation to the patients. The process of
recovery cannot happen without the aspect of hope. According to research into patients with an
extended hospital stay, it has been found out that most of those patients develop negative
attitudes towards their health. One of the recommendations that have been put across to help
these patients is incorporating an aspect of hope and motivation in the care plan. hope is usually
a source of motivation that promotes cooperation and adherence to medical advice.
Another factor involves cultivating sensitivity to one’s self and others. Patients are
human beings with the right to be treated with dignity. This factor requires nurses to act in a
manner that does not hurt others. They should put into perspective the fact that patients have
feelings and require support in their healing process. This is an instance of the humanistic
approach that can be seen in the theory (Tektaş & Çam, 2017). The work cannot just be done
without considering the feelings of the patient. The nurse should able to access the need of the
patient and be in a position to help solve them. The Caritas processes are an improvement of
these factors. The basis and foundation of the principle of care is the same. They emphasize on
the nurse helping in the creation of a healing environment.
One of the concepts emphasized is that there should be an authentic process (Gnatta,
Kurebayashi, Turrini & Silva, 2016). This means that the nurse should allow the deep beliefs of
others. Beliefs vary among different people. It has been a common phenomenon that beliefs
cannot be factually proved. Most of them do not have scientific backing. It has occurred in the
past that a patient refuses treatment owing to their strong beliefs. Against all medical advice,

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they decide to follow their path. A nurse is expected to allow the patient to have the freedom to
make their choices as they deem fit.
Allowing miracles is another important concept. There are always some occurrences in
patient care that defy the known logic and science. Science has always attempted to explain all
phenomena based on known facts. Finding a causal relationship between factors and impacts.
However, some occurrence will definitely not have any scientific explanation. As a nurse, one
should be open to the fact that some occurrences will not have an explanation. An instance is
when a patient dies even after the facts indicate a good prognosis. This is an unforeseen
circumstance that the nurse may not have anticipated. In this circumstance, a nurse should
understand that some things will happen even when everything is done right.
Transpersonal Caring Relationship.
This was defined as going beyond one’s ego to attain higher spiritual care that is created
by caring moments. This relationship is developed by having a moral commitment to protect and
preserve human dignity (Willis & Leone-Sheehan, 2017). The law defines human dignity as
having a sense of self-worth, self-respect, physical and psychological integrity. It is an inherent
human right that is inalienable in any state. The nursing profession puts this into perspective.
When patients visit hospitals, they are desperate for care. some may not stand up and demand the
right treatment. However, it is a moral obligation of the nurse to accord them dignity in their line
of duty. They should show respect and love for the patient to develop a good therapeutic
relationship. This can be seen in the way they identify and meet the patient need. The patient
may have some wishes. This calls for the inclusion of the patient to customize to the patients’
needs and wishes.

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The nurse should provide conscious caring (Clark, 2016). This implies that the nurse
should always consider the fact they are dealing with human beings; they have feelings and
emotions. They should show concern and care. it’s not just about ensuring they are physically
well and monitoring their vitals. It involves a step further into analyzing the progress, evaluating
their feelings and attitudes and also talking to them to make them feel cared for. Nurses are
expected to honour the idea of the wholeness of body mind and spirit. The integration of our
body mind and spirit influences our thoughts and action. This the definition of true wellbeing
beyond physical wellbeing. Integration of body mind and spirit requires a deliberate effort to
attain this state through particular processes, such as yoga, meditation and exercise. Medication
will only ensure a portion of wellness. Being conscious of body mind and spirit wellness will
enable a nurse to create a care plan that will incorporate them to ensure their integrity.
Caring moment.
It is described as heart-centred encounters. This concept puts into perspective that the
people of different backgrounds, culture and beliefs meet. A human to a human transaction that
is deemed as meaningful is one is authentic, intentional and honouring the person is very crucial
(Sitzman, 2018). It will involve the sharing of human experience that will widen the world view
and the discovery of new possibilities in life. This is a very important moment that benefits both
the nurse and the patient. The patient has an opportunity to express themselves, their emotions
and fears. They can do it freely and openly knowing that they will uphold the highest level of
confidentiality. To get to the root of a patient’s problem, it is usually important to know all about
their past history. Some fail to mention it due to the fact that they are embarrassed or ashamed of
the events. The caring moment is usually that crucial moment when a patient feels that they are
being treated as the centre of attention. At this point, they are very vulnerable and the way they

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are treated will have a great impact on their attitude towards the nurse and the care they are
receiving.
Impacts of Watson’s theory in my practice.
This theory has had a very great impact on my practice. It emphasizes on good
interpersonal skills between the nurse and the patient. I have always endeavoured to create a
good therapeutic relationship with the patient. The emphasis on sensitivity on the patients’
culture and beliefs has enabled me to interact with them without having to disagree. Am more
conscious of the different inclinations and accepting their diversity. In some case scenarios, their
culture has been a hindrance to my discharge of duties. Understanding their right of choice and
freedom to be treated with dignity has helped me customize care to be in line with their beliefs
and culture. I have also developed the attitude to accept that there are miracles that can happen.
In my early years in patient care, I found it hard to accept that some of the phenomena are
beyond human understanding and explanation; owing to my strong belief in science. With time I
have lowered the hard stance.
The theory has helped build a transpersonal relationship between the nurse and the
patient (Rosa, Estes & Watson, 2017). It acts like the rules of engagement in the relationship. It
has made the process of care more inclined to the fact that nurses are dealing with patients who
are human with emotions and need to be treated with dignity. This concept has improved patient
care and safety in healthcare facilities. The concept of mind-body and spiritual wellness has been
integrated into healthcare enabling a holistic approach in patient care. The three aspects of
wellness have been essential in promoting complete wellness.
Own personal theory of care and its impacts.

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My personal theory of nursing of care borrows much from the Watsons theory of care.
My perception of care is the same. However, my main interest in patient care focusses on the
community and family members. I believe that those within the environment play a very crucial
role in the health-seeking behaviour, recovery and the attitudes of the patients toward the
treatment (Norman, Rossillo & Skelton, 2016). my career I have had patients who have
completely refused treatment even when it is the only hope they have. A patient had refused
surgery that would have saved them from having to be amputated. I took the initiative to call the
family members and friends to visit her. I had tried to convince her to take the option citing the
undisputable advantages that would accompany such a decision. It only took an hour for the
family members to convince her to take her only lifesaving option. She would have not agreed to
my suggestion to take the surgery option, but she was willing to take it from someone they felt
understood them more. In as much as we show the highest level of empathy and provide the
direly needed hope, we will need the help of the family members to carry out our duties. This
approach has helped me increase patient compliance and adherence.
The community also held a very important part in the lives of patients (Oetzel, et al,
2018). Some habits done by community members have an impact on many people beyond
themselves. Water pollution by one individual will affect all those that rely on the water source. I
believe that an impact on the patient’s life can be better made if prevention did at the community
level. This level of caution will not require us to take care of the patients in hospitals as they will
already healthy. Following Watson's theory to the letter has been faced by challenges due to a
large number of patients in hospitals. I subscribe to the school of thought that a public health
perspective will prevent the high number of patients. quality care will only be offered to those
conditions that cannot be fully controlled through a public health perspective.

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Impacts.
Working with family members has made it easier to understand the patients’ needs and
wishes. This is important in creating a nursing care plan that is acceptable and easier for the
patient to follow (Park, Lee, Jeong, Jeong & Go, 2018). The outcomes of the nursing process are
better than they used to be initially. I had been spending most of the time talking to the patient
encouraging them to take their medications and change their lifestyle habits until I discovered the
influence of the family members and those people the patients love. I have also participated in
community outreach programs to help in the prevention of most preventable infections. In a
community where cholera had been highly prevalent, the incidence rate has reduced following an
education program that targets teaching them how to control infection and transmission amongst
them. it’s my way of caring for the potential patients.
Importance and applicability of nursing theories.
Nursing theories are important in guiding practice and research. Nursing practice is a
broad field that requires a systematic way to understand and tackle the various aspects (McEwen
& Wills, 2017). It helps provide a way of addressing all the care needs collectively. They help
put the most important principles of practice or research into perspective. All the nursing
processes are simplified into one theory to enable the nurses to understand and implement.
Theories are also a way of indicating how research has taken shape over time (Tappen, 2016).
Researchers will base their research on the already identified principles (Berman, Snyder &
Frandsen, 2016).
Despite the defined principles, there exists a gap between theory and practice. Most
nurses consider theories more or less practical. Some feel that what the theories dictate cannot be
fully implemented in actual practice (Slatyer, Coventry, Twigg & Davis, 2016). They consider

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theories more important to the scholars and nursing educators rather than those in actual practice.
Some practising nurses find it hard to follow the dictates of the nursing theories unless they are
being enforced by a professional body. Many feel that more research need to be done to
incorporate the important emerging issues that have a bearing in health care provision. The
changes that are happening with regards to changes in technology and the perception of certain
practices have had a very important role to play. However, the most important anticipation is that
theory will have a positive impact on the nursing profession in improving the health and quality
of life of the patients.
Conclusion.
Any science is guided by theories that are developed from research. Nursing is one of the
sciences that employ this particular approach. These theories have a scientific and humanistic
approach. So many theories have been formulated to guide both practice and career. However,
there exists a gap between actual research or practice and theory. Most of those in practice
follow the theories but at some point have to improvise depending on the environment and the
circumstances within which the events occur. However, most of them still hold the same
principles as the ones recommended. The situations are not ideal thus the outcome is not always
guaranteed. Those implementing these theories find it inevitable to ignore some aspects or
introduce some new ones instead. The main aim of the theories is to provide a systematic way to
do things and to emphasize the necessary principles and values.
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