Nursing Theory: Application and Personal Perspective Analysis

This essay delves into the realm of nursing theory, emphasizing its pivotal role in guiding nursing practice. It underscores the significance of theoretical frameworks in providing a structured approach to patient care, facilitating effective communication, and ensuring proactive healthcare delivery. The author's personal theoretical perspective, rooted in Virginia Henderson's Need Theory, is explored, highlighting its emphasis on patient independence and holistic care. The essay outlines the theory's core components, including the fourteen basic needs of a patient, and demonstrates its applicability in prioritizing patient needs and promoting overall health improvement. Furthermore, the essay examines the interrelation of key concepts like health, environment, person, and nursing, and their collective impact on delivering client-centered care. The author also reflects on their personal values, beliefs, and the evolution of their nursing philosophy, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning, ethical practice, and patient advocacy in the dynamic field of nursing. The essay concludes by highlighting the positive influence of defining a personal theory on professional performance and the application of care, compassion, and commitment in nursing practice.

Running head: PERSPECTIVE ON NURSING 1
PERSPECTIVE ON NURSING
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Theories are defined as set of concepts that are interrelated to provide a systematic and
purposive view of a predictive or explanatory a phenomenon. Theories are made up of models,
concepts, propositions, definitions an assumptions. They are always delivered using two key
methods which include inductive and deductive reasoning. Nursing theories make use of logical
structure of hypotheses and ideas that are applicable to different circumstances encountered in
nursing practice (Smith & Liehr, 2013).
The theoretical structures utilized in nursing theories form the basis for patient care,
nursing practice, education, development of nursing profession, nursing research and decision-
making in administrative nursing (Moran, Burson, & Conrad, 2016). This essay will focus on
theory-guided nursing practice, its importance and applicability. It will also focus on personal
theoretical perspective of nursing in relation to concepts of health, nursing, environment and
person and their impacts on nursing practice (Butts & Rich, 2013).
Nursing theory provides a perspective of viewing the situation of client, a way of
coordinating and organizing various bits of data into daily care of the client and a manner of
analyzing and interpreting patient information in order to implement appropriate care
(Broadbent, 2014). A theoretical perspective gives the nurses an allowance of effective planning
and implementing health care proactively and purposely. Systematic and purposeful nursing
practice ensures efficiency in health care and effective communication amongst nurses. It also
gives nurses the ability to control and evaluate the outcome of their nursing care to the patients
(Broadbent, 2014).
In our practice as nurses, we have a couple of theories that are all applicable and
importance in nursing practice but different nurses are guided by different theories. For me am

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guided by Virginia Henderson’s Need Theory. This theory is based on her education and
practice. Her theory puts emphasis on importance of making the patient more independent and
promotion of continued healing of the patient even after hospitalization in a health care system.
Virginia’s definition of nursing clearly differentiates nursing from medicine (Butts & Rich,
s2013). According to Virginia Henderson, the unique role of a nurse involves assisting an
individual, well or sick in performance of activities that promote recovery. According to this
theory, the nurse should assist the patient to perform activities unaided if willing, strong and
knowledgeable enough to do so (Smith & Parker, 2015).
I choose Virginia Henderson’s theory because it focuses on fourteen basic needs of the
patient that forms the basis of nursing care. This theory has unique characteristics which are
important in nursing care. They include interrelation of concepts such as biophysiology,
interaction, basic human needs and communication (Ahtisham & Jacoline, 2015). Secondly, it is
simple and applicable to health care of all individuals irrespective of age and it forms a basis for
testable hypotheses (Butts & Rich, 2013).
Thirdly, this theory provides a logical definition and a list of components that acts as a
guide for a nurse and individual in achieving set health goals. Additionally, it helps in
improvement of general knowledge in the nursing profession and its ideas regarding nursing
practice are acceptable and can be applied by practitioners for guidance and improvement of
their practice in provision of health care. It also coordinates with other theories such as Maslow’s
theory of motivation to provide quality care to patients hence ensuring their satisfaction
(Ahtisham & Jacoline, 2015).

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This theory guides me in my nursing practice as it enlists some of the key needs of a
patient in health care that I should satisfy in patient care. This helps me to prioritize patients’
needs hence promoting health improvement. According to Virginia, some of the basic
components health care in a patient include normal breathing, adequate drinking and eating,
proper elimination of waste materials form the body, proper movement and maintenance of
desirable gait and postures. Other needs include adequate rest and sleep, suitable clothing,
maintenance of body vitals within normal ranges, general body cleanliness and protection against
integumentary injuries (Ahtisham & Jacoline, 2015).
Other additional needs highlighted in this theory include avoidance of environmental
dangers, avoidance of injuries to others, effective communication in expression of feelings,
opinions, fears and needs, respect for one’s culture and religion and working towards
accomplishment (Waller-Wise, 2013). Lastly, Virginia’s theory allows patient participation in
recreational programs and learn, satisfy the curiosity leading to normal health development. This
theory incorporates the four major concepts of nursing which play a key role in guiding nursing
practice. These include, individual, health, environment and nursing (Ahtisham & Jacoline,
2015).
Virginia Henderson’s Needs Theory impacts positively in my nursing practice. It gives
guidance on some of parameters or aspect to focus on when providing health care to patients. It
helps me to prioritize the special needs of the patient which needs to be addressed first. For
instance, food, water and air. As a nurse, this theory tells me that patient’s breathing is a priority
in health care. I should ensure that the patient has normal elimination patterns and incase of any

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abnormalities, I should implement appropriate measures to restore the elimination patterns to
normal (Waller-Wise, 2013)
This theory guides me showing respect for patient’s cultural and religious beliefs and
norms. Health care should focus on all aspects of life of the patient, whether economic, spiritual
or social all are important as far as the patient’s dignity and respect is concerned (Gottlieb,
2012). This theory shows that I should incorporate health, nursing, person and environment
concepts in my nursing practice since all of them are important for provision of holistic and
client-centered health care. As a nurse, I should employ techniques and strategies of preventing
environmental injuries to the patient and to the others (Gottlieb, 2012). These injuries impacts
negatively on the health of the patient. Health in directly influenced by the external and internal
environment. Therefore, when providing nursing care to the patients, I should consider their
environment which is critical in promotion of healing (Ahtisham & Jacoline, 2015).
Based on this theory, communication is very important in expression of opinions,
feelings, fears and making decisions. Patient should fully be involved in each and every decision
made or step taken regarding his or her care. This theory guides my practice as a nurse since it
focuses on maintenance of patient’s vital signs at their normal ranges. As a nurse, I am guided by
this theory to apply and implement appropriate techniques to manage variations in vital signs in a
patient. For instance, in reduced body temperature less than 35.0 centigrade I should keep the
patient warm to ensure the temperature returns to a normal (Gottlieb, 2012).
Based on my own perspective, nurses are responsible for the public to offer holistic, safe
and client-centered health care. Nurses have a clear understanding that individual patients should

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be provided with individualized care and attention. Nurses utilize clinical judgement to meet the
requirements and needs of individual patients.
Nurses we are patient advocates, therefore we should empower them by urging them to
be active in maintaining their health and engaging in mutual setting of goals concerning their
health. Nurses are knowledgeable to maintain patient’s privacy and confidentiality and educating
them and their relatives on medical conditions, modes of treatment and healthy lifestyle which
improves their health outcomes (Stevens, 2013).
Nurses strive to have positive and healthy behavioral patterns in their lives believing that
they will provide quality nursing care to other individuals if they can care for themselves first.
Generally, nurses should be role models to others as far as health is concerned. This promotes
development trust between nurses and patients in provision of health care. Nursing profession is
dynamic, therefore nurses should be committed to be at par with the current skills and knowledge
by seeking self-enhancement via perpetual learning (Stevens, 2013). Doing this, will help us to
be dynamic in our beliefs and demonstrate professional evolution through technological
advancements and application of evidence-based practice in nursing practice (Stevens, 2013).
As a nurse, I keep on learning from journals, textbooks and interactions with health care
professionals and involving myself in experiences involving patients and their relatives for
improvement of skills and knowledge. Some of my beliefs and values are honesty, kindness,
security, daily and lifelong learning, family, persistence and success in achievement of my set
goals.

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I utilize these beliefs and values in making decisions regarding my nursing profession. It
is my belief that nursing is all about knowledge, care and integrity. Nursing focuses needs of the
patient, healing, safety and empowerment. I have a strong feeling that my personal theory and
professional theories of nursing are congruent since my core values and beliefs are at par with
the core values of nursing (Shahriari, Mohammadi, Abbaszadeh & Bahrami, 2013).
My personal theory of nursing developed from several articulations, assumptions and
concepts. First, I made an articulation of my own beliefs and values about nursing which gave
me a reflection of my professionalism as a nurse. Secondly, I critically thought about nursing
practice and took down actual patient care, interactions and experiences with the patients,
relatives and health care professionals including nursing peers and management. Thirdly, I
critically examined different clinical narratives to fully orient myself on what happens with
philosophical values, beliefs and assumptions regarding the four concepts of nursing
metaparadigm (health, nursing, environment and person). Based on this, I was able to construct
my personal theory of nursing and its own values and beliefs towards nursing.
. This theory provides a connection between me and the values and beliefs that compelled
me to nursing profession. It has strengthened my attitude, knowledge and skills on nursing
profession. This theory has acted as a fuel to drive me toward action which is required in
nursing practice. It has also helped me be more emotionally and mentally connected to work for
betterment of patient health. Additionally, it has helped me in overcoming demands such as long
working hours and constantly flowing work that is physically challenging. This theory has
uncovered my passion for nursing. Based on all this, I can generally say that defining own

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theory of nursing has positively impacted on my actual performance as far as nursing is
concerned (Smith & Liehr, 2013).
It has helped me apply the aspects of care, compassion, competency, communication,
courage and commitment when proving nursing care to different patients with different medical
conditions. This makes me work with confidence and feel that a better than I was yesterday and
hopes to more better tomorrow. This has helped me monitor and make a reflection on my actions
in order to verify whether am doing the right thing as per the core values of nursing practice
(Shahriari, Mohammadi, Abbaszadeh & Bahrami, 2013).
My personal theory of nursing has opened my mind and I have realized my roles as a
nurse. Some of my roles include patient advocate, patient educator and a communication. As a
nurse, am able to communicate patients’ information in a manner that is understandable to all
health care professionals involved in provision of care to the patient (Stevens, 2013). I have
learn to protect patients’ rights by maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of the information
obtained from the patients. It has impacted on my application of my knowledge on cultural
diversity in management of patients from different cultures showing respect and dignity despite
to their norms and beliefs (Dyess, Boykin & Bulfin, 2013).
Based on my own theory of nursing, the concepts of health, environment, person and
nursing are all incorporated for quality nursing outcome. The quality of care of care provided by
nurses is largely influenced by these concepts in different ways. All these concepts are related in
different ways as far as health outcome is concerned. The four concepts are collectively known
as metaparadigm of nursing. Person is regarded as the receiver of care. When dealing with a
person, a nurse a role to nurture and empower him or her towards management of their health to

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the best of their abilities and capabilities. Nurses should make it clear to the patients that
someone really cares about their well-being and health (McCormack & McCance, 2016)
Health refers to the level of wellness of a person and his or her accessibility to heath care.
Health comprises of mental, spiritual, physical, intellectual and emotional aspects of a person’s
life. Health is influenced by both external and internal factors of the environment (McCormack
& McCance, 2016). For instance poor or unfavorable environmental factors leads to poor health
of an individual which necessitates them to seek nursing care to restore their health back to
normal. Environment is defined as everything around a person that influences his or her illness or
recovery. In this instance, environment includes geographical location of person, mental state,
personal and interpersonal relationships and culture. It is good for an individual to be located in
an environment favorable to his or her health and recovery from illness (Kaakinen, Coehlo,
Steele, Tabacco & Hanson, 2014).
Nursing is the last metaparadigm which involves application of knowledge and
specialized skills that are acquired by an individual to qualify to be a nurse. Some of these
requirements include knowledge, skills and hands-on techniques of nursing care (McCrae, 2012).
In application of these nursing skills and knowledge, nurses must show commitment,
compassion, care, courage, communication and competency (Morton, Fontaine, Hudak & Gallo,
2017). Lack of these aspects lead to detrimental impacts on person’s health and recovery form
illness. Therefore these concepts are all interrelated. The outcome of one concept depends on the
other (Grove, Burns & Gray, 2012).
Theory guided-nursing practice plays a very great role in nursing practice. In nursing
practice, the purposes of theories include assisting nursing in describing, explaining and

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predicting daily experiences, guiding assessments, implementations and evaluations of nursing
practice. Theories gives rationales for collection of valid and reliable data from patients, which is
important in effective planning, decision-making process and implementation of nursing
interventions. They help in description of criteria for measuring the quality and outcome of
nursing care (Dossey, Certificate, Keegan & Co-Director International Nurse Coach Association,
2012
Nursing theories are useful in establishment of common terminologies in nursing for use
in communication amongst themselves and other health care professionals (Dyess, Boykin &
Bulfin, 2013). Additionally, theories are important in development of ideas and definition of
words and concepts. Nursing theories are used in explanation of various nursing phenomenon
and their applicability in nursing practice. They act as the foundation of nursing care by helping
in generation of more knowledge in nursing. Theories give a direction for development of
nursing profession (Dossey, Certificate, Keegan & Co-Director International Nurse Coach
Association, 2012).
Theories concerning creation of an effective environment or workplace, effective
communication and designing of working schedules shows care and concern for nurses so that
they can provide better health care to clients. Decisions made regarding accountability, rewards
and compensation impact on nursing practice based on the theory of personal job satisfaction
(Alligood, 2014).Continued training for nurses improves their knowledge and competency in
provision of health care. Nursing theories makes it possible to distinguish what forms the
foundation of nursing by explicitly giving a description of nursing (McCrae, 2012). They
promote quality nursing care, enhance the status of professionalism among nurses, enhance

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communication among nurses and give guidance for nursing education and research (Masters,
2015).
Theories encourage multi-disciplinary health care among patients and enhance autonomy
of nursing profession by clearly defining the independent roles of nurses in the care of patients
(Masters, 2015).Concerning nursing research, theories provide a framework of knowledge
generation in nursing profession. They promote discovery of knowledge gaps in various fields of
study in nursing (Munhall, 2012).
Theories in nursing profession are primarily meant to enhance improvement in nursing
practice by positively influencing health care provided to different clients (Kaakinen, Coehlo,
Steele, Tabacco & Hanson, 2014). It is a reciprocation, theory is the basis for development of
nursing practice. Practice theory is regarded as the future of nursing profession since they
provide tips and information on efficient and effective ways of proving holistic care to patients
hence improved outcome (Grove, Burns & Gray, 2012).
Nursing theories provide a systematic view of nursing phenomenon. They are composed
of assumptions, definitions, propositions, models and concepts which are very applicable in
nursing profession. Virginia Henderson’s Needs Theory is very useful in nursing as it clearly
defines the role of a nurse and distinguishes nursing from medicine. It highlights the fourteen
basic needs of a patient in healthcare. Some of these needs include normal breathing, normal
elimination and normal vital signs. It highlights adequate eating and drinking, communication,
respect for patient’s culture and religion. It also focuses on the four metaparadigm of nursing
(Smith & Parker, 2015).

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The concepts include nursing, person, health and environment. These concepts are related
in different ways. Nursing theories can be applied in nursing research, nursing education and
nursing practice (Moran, Burson & Conrad, 2016). Some of the core value and beliefs on nursing
include integrity, care and knowledge. My beliefs about nursing is that nurses are
knowledgeable, committed, competent and compassionate. Nursing profession is dynamic,
therefore nurses should keep on learning every day so that we don’t remain stagnant but instead
be at par with the dynamics of health care system.