Nursing Case Study: Applying Theories to Nursing Practice

This case study analyzes the challenges faced by Natalie Kazakova, a nurse with a master's degree in nursing and a background in engineering, who is experiencing insecurity in her new profession. The assignment explores the application of role theory, conflict theory, and social exchange theor...Read More

Running Head: NURSING CASE STUDY 1
Nursing case study.
Student’s Name
Institution Affiliate
Date

NURSING CASE STUDY 2
Related theories, in this case, would include role theory, conflict theory, and social
exchange theory.
Nursing is always a dynamic profession. The nurses’ deal with the presented
situation based on the facilities and resources they have. The role, conflict, and social
theories have been criticized in terms of ethics and effective service delivery. The
nurses operating in the field must render the educational qualifications before
attaining the work license or government permit to operate in the area. These theories
mainly the social exchange and conflict theories, have elevated the client’s interaction
with the nurses and intra-interaction between the nurses (Nunkoo, 2016). The
approaches have enhanced corporation of knowledge and have also created a healthy
and prosperous client-nurse or nurse-nurse relationships. The structure of social
exchange, to some extent, have been criticized as it can directly be observed due to its
abstract nature. Due to occupational demands, Natalie Kazakova educational
background concerning nursing is questionable. She studied a bachelor's degree in
Engineering and later on did a master’s degree in Nursing and later landed on a
nursing profession at the advanced level.
Role theory depicts and criticizes the accuracy of human behavior. In human
behavior, the theory approach emphasizes conformity rather than social policies
(Birtch, Chiang, & Van Esch, 2016). It also addresses the lack of comprehensiveness,
to mention but a few. From this theory, we can conclude that Natalie should not regret
joining the nursing profession at the master level. Besides, she should not feel inferior
to other nurses with several years of work experience or instead did the course at
bachelor's degree level.
Touching of the building components of conflict theory, it claims that society
exists in a perpetual conflict state due to competition of the limited resources

NURSING CASE STUDY 3
available. The argument regards the social order which is maintained by power but
conformity and consensus (Jiang, & Hu, 2016). Relating Natalie Kazakova’s issue to
this theory, her fear of joining the nursing profession at the masters' level rather than
the bachelor's level is justified. This gives her competitors have an added advantage
over her. The added benefits range from work experience, bachelor’s degree
advantages that Natalie lack.
Lastly, social exchange theory, the fundamental concepts are based on human
interaction and exchange viewed as result-oriented social behavior. This concept
argues that human behavior is either determined by cost or rewards and decision
making. Prices are said to be the negative consequences of a decision that involves
energy, money, and time (Buunk, & Schaufeli, 2017). On the other hand, rewards are
the outcomes of social exchange. In other words, people will eliminate the cost of
awards to come up with the exact value. Now, Natalie Kazakova's situation is
reflected upon in this case either through cross-culture perspective where her
engineering carrier serves as primary culture followed by nursing. Her previous
instincts in engineering might, in some way, alter her performance due to lack of
substantial experience. Alternatively, applied social exchange concepts where Natalie
can relate well with the nursing ideology even with no bachelor’s degree record
(GÖZÜKARA, & Çolakoğlu, 2015). In my opinion, I would choose to refer to this
financial concept and feel free to participate in any competition without fear or
intimidation from the other members.

NURSING CASE STUDY 4
References
Birtch, T. A., Chiang, F. F., & Van Esch, E. (2016). A social exchange theory
framework for understanding the job characteristics–job outcomes relationship:
The mediating role of psychological contract fulfillment. The International
Journal of Human Resource Management, 27(11), 1217-1236.
Buunk, B. P., & Schaufeli, W. B. (2017). Burnout: A perspective from social
comparison theory. In Professional burnout (pp. 52-69). Routledge.
GÖZÜKARA, İ., & Çolakoğlu, N. (2015). The impact of manager support and work-
family conflict on job satisfaction. Business Management Dynamics, 5(6), 13.
Jiang, Z., & Hu, X. (2016). Knowledge sharing and life satisfaction: The roles of
colleague relationships and gender. Social Indicators Research, 126(1), 379-394.
Nunkoo, R. (2016). Toward a more comprehensive use of social exchange theory to
study residents’ attitudes to tourism. Procedia Economics and Finance, 39, 588-
596.