Nursing Theories: Importance and Applicability in Practice

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Nursing Theories
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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.