Week 3: Other Theories That Support Nursing Practice
The value of interdisciplinary learning is the beauty of drawing on knowledge and strategies from multiple fields. Imagine how ill-prepared a nurse would be who only studied human systems. Patients are naturally more than a collection of systems. They have personalities and perspectives that are shaped by experiences, culture, and other factors that impact health and wellness. To know how to help the patient, understanding of these other factors, such as how cultural norms may influence disease prevention or the success of a treatment regimen, is crucial.
In the same way, the nursing middle range theories you examined in Week 2 are not the only theories that apply to and can guide nursing practice. Theories from other sciences, such as psychology and sociology, as well as from other fields, such as business, also have potential to support nursing practice.
This week you will explore a range of interdisciplinary theories through your Discussion with colleagues. You will also complete your module Assignment by considering how interdisciplinary theories may contribute to creating a philosophy of nursing practice that can be a beacon on your DNP journey.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
Analyze interdisciplinary theories for applications to nursing practice
Compare applications of interdisciplinary theories to nursing practice
Explain philosophy of nursing practice
Analyze factors that influence philosophy of nursing practice
Recommend strategies for social change advocacy for the role of the DNP
Analyze middle range nursing theories in relation to philosophies of nursing practice
Analyze interdisciplinary theories in relation to philosophies of nursing practice
Learning Resources
Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)
Required Media (click to expand/reduce)
Walden University. (2021). DNP glossary [Interactive media]. Walden University Blackboard. https://class.waldenu.edu
Optional Resources (click to expand/reduce)
Discussion: Applying Interdisciplinary Theories to Nursing Practice
Using the same practice issue from the Week 2 Discussion and an interdisciplinary theory you will be assigned, you will research your assigned theory for applications in addressing your practice issue. Although your focus is exploring one theory in depth, as you engage with colleagues, consider other theories that also apply to your practice issue. Learning from colleagues is particularly important and encouraged with this Discussion.
To prepare:
Your Instructor will assign you an interdisciplinary theory from among the following:
Health Belief
Health Promotion
Change
Disease Causation
Transformational Leadership in Nursing and in Health Care
Patient-focused Care/Patient-centered Care
Problem-based Learning
Simulation (Jeffries/NLN)
Cultural Competence/Diversity
Review the Learning Resources, with particular attention to information on your assigned theory.
In addition, search the Walden Library for at least two scholarly articles published within the previous 5 years on your assigned theory. Identify examples and insight for applying this theory to your practice issue.
Consider how to explain your assigned theory and its applications to nursing practice and the specific issue you are addressing.
**Assignment: Applying Transformational Leadership in Nursing and Health Care to Address Nurse Staffing Levels and Patient Safety**
**Introduction to Transformational Leadership Theory:**
Transformational leadership theory posits that effective leaders inspire and motivate followers to achieve higher levels of performance by promoting shared vision, fostering innovation, and empowering individuals to reach their full potential. In healthcare settings, transformational leadership is characterized by leaders who exhibit charisma, vision, intellectual stimulation, individualized consideration, and inspirational motivation. These leaders create a supportive work environment that encourages teamwork, collaboration, and professional growth among healthcare professionals.
**Application to Nurse Staffing Levels and Patient Safety:**
Transformational leadership theory offers valuable insights for addressing the practice issue of nurse staffing levels and patient safety. By fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration, transformational leaders can influence organizational policies and practices to optimize nurse staffing levels and enhance patient safety outcomes. Here are some ways transformational leadership can be applied to this practice issue:
**Visionary Leadership:** Transformational leaders articulate a compelling vision for patient safety and quality care, emphasizing the importance of adequate nurse staffing to achieve these goals. By communicating a clear vision and setting high expectations for patient safety, leaders can inspire nursing staff to prioritize safety and advocate for resources to support adequate staffing levels.
**Intellectual Stimulation:** Transformational leaders encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation among nursing staff to address challenges related to nurse staffing and patient safety. By promoting a culture of continuous learning and improvement, leaders empower nurses to identify inefficiencies, implement evidence-based practices, and develop creative solutions to enhance patient care delivery.
**Individualized Consideration:** Transformational leaders recognize the unique strengths, needs, and contributions of nursing staff and provide individualized support and guidance to promote professional growth and development. By investing in staff education, training, and mentorship programs, leaders can equip nurses with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to deliver safe, high-quality care even in challenging staffing situations.
**Scholarly Resources:**
Cummings, G. G., Tate, K., Lee, S., Wong, C. A., Paananen, T., Micaroni, S. P., … & Mattila, L. (2018). Leadership styles and outcome patterns for the nursing workforce and work environment: A systematic review. International journal of nursing studies, 85, 19-60. [Link to article](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2018.04.016)
Wong, C. A., & Cummings, G. G. (2007). The relationship between nursing leadership and patient outcomes: A systematic review update. Journal of nursing management, 15(5), 508-521. [Link to article](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2834.2007.00723.x)
**Conclusion:**
In conclusion, transformational leadership theory offers valuable insights and strategies for addressing the practice issue of nurse staffing levels and patient safety. By promoting visionary leadership, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration, transformational leaders can create a supportive work environment that empowers nursing staff to deliver safe, high-quality care and enhance patient outcomes. By understanding and applying transformational leadership principles, nurse leaders can play a crucial role in advocating for optimal nurse staffing levels and promoting a culture of patient safety within healthcare organizations.
Note: Your initial post is due by Day 3. Contact your Instructor if you have not received your assigned theory on Day 1.
With these thoughts in mind …
Week 3: Other Theories That Support Nursing Practice
By Day 3 of Week 3
Post a brief description of your assigned theory and your practice issue. Then, explain how you would apply your assigned theory to your practice issue and explain your reasoning. Be specific and provide examples. Cite your sources in your post.
**Assigned Theory: Transformational Leadership in Nursing and Health Care**
Transformational leadership theory emphasizes the importance of inspiring and motivating followers to achieve higher levels of performance by fostering a shared vision, encouraging innovation, and empowering individuals to reach their full potential. Transformational leaders exhibit charisma, vision, intellectual stimulation, individualized consideration, and inspirational motivation, creating a supportive work environment that encourages collaboration, teamwork, and professional growth.
**Practice Issue: Nurse Staffing Levels and Patient Safety**
The practice issue of nurse staffing levels and patient safety concerns the delicate balance between patient care demands and the availability of nursing staff. Inadequate nurse staffing has been associated with various adverse patient outcomes, including medication errors, patient falls, and increased mortality rates.
**Application of Transformational Leadership Theory:**
Transformational leadership theory can be applied to address the practice issue of nurse staffing levels and patient safety by empowering nurse leaders to create a supportive work environment that prioritizes patient safety and advocates for optimal staffing levels. Here’s how transformational leadership principles can be applied:
**Visionary Leadership:** Nurse leaders can articulate a compelling vision for patient safety and quality care, emphasizing the importance of adequate nurse staffing to achieve these goals. By communicating a clear vision and setting high expectations for patient safety, leaders can inspire nursing staff to prioritize safety and advocate for resources to support adequate staffing levels.
**Intellectual Stimulation:** Transformational leaders encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation among nursing staff to address challenges related to nurse staffing and patient safety. By promoting a culture of continuous learning and improvement, leaders empower nurses to identify inefficiencies, implement evidence-based practices, and develop creative solutions to enhance patient care delivery.
**Individualized Consideration:** Transformational leaders recognize the unique strengths, needs, and contributions of nursing staff and provide individualized support and guidance to promote professional growth and development. By investing in staff education, training, and mentorship programs, leaders can equip nurses with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to deliver safe, high-quality care even in challenging staffing situations.
**Example:**
For instance, a nurse leader in a hospital setting may apply transformational leadership principles by:
– Developing a vision statement that emphasizes patient safety as the organization’s top priority.
– Encouraging nursing staff to participate in quality improvement projects to identify areas for improvement in patient care delivery.
– Providing ongoing education and training opportunities to enhance nurses’ clinical skills and knowledge.
– Advocating for additional staffing resources to ensure adequate nurse-patient ratios and prevent burnout among nursing staff.
**Reasoning:**
Applying transformational leadership theory to the practice issue of nurse staffing levels and patient safety can empower nurse leaders to create a culture of safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement within healthcare organizations. By promoting visionary leadership, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration, nurse leaders can inspire nursing staff to prioritize patient safety, advocate for optimal staffing levels, and implement evidence-based practices to enhance patient outcomes. Ultimately, transformational leadership has the potential to drive positive change and improve patient safety within healthcare settings.
**Sources:**
– Avolio, B. J., & Yammarino, F. J. (2013). Transformational and charismatic leadership: The road ahead. Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
– Cummings, G. G., Tate, K., Lee, S., Wong, C. A., Paananen, T., Micaroni, S. P., … & Mattila, L. (2018). Leadership styles and outcome patterns for the nursing workforce and work environment: A systematic review. International journal of nursing studies, 85, 19-60.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ posts.
By Day 6 of Week 3
Respond to at least two colleagues on 2 different days. Choose colleagues who were assigned different theories than your own. Respond to their posts in one or more of the following ways:
Critique their application of theory to their practice issue and either explain why you support their thinking or recommend a different theory to consider, which may be the theory you were assigned. Explain your thinking.
Drawing on their explanation of their assigned theory, describe how this theory applies to your practice issue and explain your reasoning.
Compare and contrast their assigned theory with your own for application to practice issues. Support your reasoning.
**Response to Colleague 1:**
I appreciate your insightful application of transformational leadership theory to the practice issue of nurse staffing levels and patient safety. Your explanation of how visionary leadership, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration can empower nurse leaders to address staffing challenges and promote patient safety is well-articulated. Transformational leadership indeed offers valuable strategies for fostering a supportive work environment and driving positive change within healthcare organizations.
However, I would like to suggest considering another theory, specifically the Health Belief Model (HBM), as an alternative or complementary approach to addressing the practice issue of nurse staffing levels and patient safety. The Health Belief Model focuses on individuals’ beliefs and perceptions about health-related behaviors, emphasizing the importance of perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers in shaping health-related decision-making.
In the context of nurse staffing levels and patient safety, the Health Belief Model could be applied by exploring nurses’ perceptions of the impact of staffing shortages on patient safety and their motivation to advocate for optimal staffing levels. By understanding nurses’ beliefs and perceptions about staffing issues, nurse leaders can tailor communication strategies and interventions to address concerns and promote behavior change. For example, highlighting the severity of patient safety risks associated with inadequate staffing and emphasizing the benefits of advocating for adequate staffing levels may motivate nurses to take action and prioritize patient safety.
Overall, while transformational leadership theory offers valuable insights for addressing nurse staffing challenges, integrating the Health Belief Model can provide a complementary perspective by focusing on individual beliefs and perceptions as drivers of behavior change.
**Response to Colleague 2:**
Your application of transformational leadership theory to the practice issue of nurse staffing levels and patient safety is compelling and well-supported. I appreciate how you highlighted the role of visionary leadership, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration in empowering nurse leaders to create a culture of safety and collaboration within healthcare organizations.
In considering my assigned theory, the Health Promotion Model (HPM), I see potential for complementarity with transformational leadership theory in addressing the practice issue at hand. The Health Promotion Model, developed by Nola Pender, emphasizes the importance of promoting health and preventing illness by addressing individual and environmental factors that influence health behaviors.
In the context of nurse staffing levels and patient safety, the Health Promotion Model could be applied by focusing on promoting healthy work environments that support patient safety and staff well-being. Transformational leaders can play a crucial role in advocating for policies and practices that prioritize nurse staffing levels, workload management, and staff empowerment, aligning with the principles of the Health Promotion Model. By addressing environmental barriers and promoting supportive work cultures, nurse leaders can enhance nurses’ motivation and capacity to provide safe, high-quality care.
In summary, while transformational leadership theory offers valuable strategies for addressing nurse staffing challenges, integrating the Health Promotion Model can provide a complementary approach by focusing on health promotion and creating environments that support patient safety and staff well-being.
Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!
Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 3 Discussion Rubric
Post by Day 3 of Week 3 and Respond by Day 6 of Week 3
To Participate in this Discussion:
Week 3: Other Theories That Support Nursing Practice
Week 3 Discussion
Modules 1–2 Assignment: Written Philosophy of Nursing Practice
This Assignment, which you began in Week 1, is due by Day 7 of this week. As you complete your philosophy this week, take time to consider how one or more interdisciplinary theories—cultural competence, for example—may enrich or help clarify your philosophy.
To prepare:
Reflect on your philosophy of nursing practice that you have been developing or revising in Weeks 1 and 2.
Review the middle range nursing theories that you have applied to your philosophy of nursing practice and make any necessary refinements in your thinking and explanations.
Consider how the interdisciplinary theory you researched for the Week 3 Discussion post, or other theories presented by colleagues, can further inform your philosophy of nursing practice.
The Assignment
Complete your written philosophy of nursing practice in a paper of 3–5 pages, plus cover page and references page.
Reminder: The College of Nursing requires that all papers submitted include a title page, introduction, summary, and references. The Sample Paper provided at the Walden Writing Center provides an example of those required elements (available at https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/templates/general#s-lg-box-20293632). All papers submitted must use this formatting.
**Title: Enriching Nursing Practice: A Holistic Philosophy**
**Introduction:**
Nursing is a dynamic profession rooted in the principles of compassion, advocacy, and evidence-based care. This philosophy of nursing practice is a culmination of personal experiences, professional growth, and a commitment to holistic patient care. Drawing upon middle-range nursing theories and interdisciplinary perspectives, this philosophy guides nursing practice towards promoting health, healing, and social justice.
**Middle-Range Nursing Theories:**
In developing my philosophy of nursing practice, I have integrated Katharine Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort and Dorothy Johnson’s Behavioral System Model. Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort emphasizes holistic care, recognizing the multidimensional nature of comfort and its impact on patient well-being. By addressing physical, psychospiritual, environmental, and sociocultural comfort needs, nurses can enhance patient outcomes and promote healing. Similarly, Johnson’s Behavioral System Model highlights the dynamic interplay between individuals and their environment, emphasizing the importance of adaptation and balance in maintaining health. By understanding patients’ behavioral responses to illness, nurses can tailor interventions to support adaptation and promote well-being.
**Interdisciplinary Theory:**
Building upon my philosophy of nursing practice, I further incorporate the theory of cultural competence. Cultural competence recognizes the diversity of patients’ backgrounds, beliefs, and values, and emphasizes the importance of providing culturally congruent care. By understanding and respecting cultural differences, nurses can build trust, enhance communication, and improve patient outcomes. Cultural competence also involves self-awareness and ongoing learning to challenge biases and promote inclusivity in nursing practice.
**Application of Interdisciplinary Theory:**
In practice, cultural competence informs every aspect of nursing care. For example, when caring for a patient from a different cultural background, nurses assess the patient’s cultural beliefs and preferences regarding health and illness. This may involve incorporating traditional healing practices, respecting dietary restrictions, or arranging for interpretation services to facilitate communication. By embracing cultural competence, nurses foster trust and collaboration, enhance patient satisfaction, and promote positive health outcomes.
**Conclusion:**
In conclusion, my philosophy of nursing practice is grounded in holistic care, supported by middle-range nursing theories, and enriched by the interdisciplinary perspective of cultural competence. By embracing compassion, advocacy, and cultural humility, nurses can provide patient-centered care that honors individuality, promotes healing, and advances health equity. This philosophy serves as a guiding framework for nursing practice, inspiring excellence and social change in the pursuit of optimal patient care.
**References:**
– Kolcaba, K., Tilton, C., & Drouin, C. (2006). Comfort Theory: A unifying framework to enhance the practice environment. Journal of Nursing Administration, 36(11), 538-544.
– Johnson, D. E. (1980). Behavioral system model. In R. C. Roy (Ed.), Conceptual models for nursing practice (pp. 67-83). Appleton-Century-Crofts.
– Campinha-Bacote, J. (2002). The process of cultural competence in the delivery of healthcare services: A model of care. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 13(3), 181-184.
By Day 7 of Week 3
Submit your Assignment.
Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:
Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “M1-2Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
Click the Modules 1 & 2 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
Click the Modules 1 & 2 Assignment You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer Find the document you saved as “M1-2Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Module 1-2 Assignment Rubric
Check Your Assignment Draft for Authenticity
To check your Assignment draft for authenticity:
Submit your Module 1-2 Assignment draft and review the originality report.
Submit Your Assignment by Day 7 of Week 3
To participate in this Assignment:
Module 1-2 Assignment
What’s Coming Up in Module 3!
In the next module, you will examine the interrelationships of evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and implementation science, all of which will play vital roles in planning and executing your DNP Project in your program of study. Get ready for an important module in this course with a dynamic module Assignment.
Looking Ahead: Week 4 Blog
Week 4 contains the only blog in this course. A blog offers a more informal approach to engaging with your colleagues. Note you are still required to post your blog by Day 3 and respond to at least two colleagues by Day 6. Review the Week 4 Blog guidelines to prepare.
Week 4 Video: Evidence-Based Practice With Dr. Kathleen White
The Learning Resources in Week 4 feature a video interview with Dr. Kathleen White, lead author of your Translation course text. She provides an example of evidence-based practice and steps in implementing quality improvement, including building consensus among stakeholders for a practice change. Plan to view this video at least once as you begin the module.
Week 3: Other Theories That Support Nursing Practice
The post NURS 8114 Week 3: Other Theories That Support Nursing Practice appeared first on Destiny Papers.
