Nursing Theory

Nursing Theory

       Nursing Theory       Karen is wrong to think that the nursing theory is outdated, too broad and not useful for APNs. First, the nursing theory provides an intellectual framework for guiding the training, education and practice of APNs. The ideas and concepts regarding who APNs are and what they do influence the APN curriculum development and implementation (DeNisco & Barker, 2015). A shared intellectual framework makes it easy to standardize the education and training for all APNs. The lack of a common theoretical framework would disorganize the nursing curriculum. Furthermore, the nursing theory helps to establish clear boundaries between nursing and other medical professions. The lack of a theory specific to the nursing practice would make it difficult to identify nursing as a distinct profession. Consequently, the profession would eventually end or merge with other well-established medical professions. For example, an APN would not know whether a planned action is within or outside his her scope of practice without the nursing theory.

            Secondly, the nursing theory is not outdated. Nursing theoretical development is a continuous process. Nursing theorists keep updating the existing theories and developing new ones in response to the current and emerging healthcare trends. Therefore, the current version of the APN nursing theory reflects the current nursing trends. However, some aspects of the nursing theory do not change. For example, the early definitions of nursing by theorists such as Florence remain contemporary. Thirdly, the nursing theory must be sufficiently broad to be useful to the complex nursing situations (Smith & Parker, 2015). APNs perform diverse functions relating to direct care, leadership, management and research. Consequently, a broad theory that captures the core functions of nursing is crucial.

References

DeNisco, S. M., & Barker, A. M. (2015). Advanced practice nursing: Essential knowledge for

            the profession. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Smith, M. C. & Parker, M. E. (2015). Nursing theories and nursing practice. Philadelphia: F.A.

            Davis Company.