The Purpose of Nursing Theories, Models, and Frameworks ESSAY

The Purpose of Nursing Theories, Models, and Frameworks

A theory can be referred to as several analytical declarations as well as principles intended for structuring the explanation, observations, and understanding of the universe. Researchers usually refer to theories as being created by defining the variables, a realm where arguments apply, a set of correlation between a variable and a specific prediction. An outstanding approach offers a clear description of why and how a particular situation leads to a specific event. A theory can be explained on an abstraction continuum. A high abstraction level theory, which can be grand or general theories have a broad scope. On the other hand, a middle-level abstraction level theory describes a narrow set of events and a lower level abstraction theory is apractical generalization of a small application and scope.

A nursing theory is usually described as a meticulous and ingenious organization of plans, which predicts a firm, systematic and provisional view of events. Applying an orderly query, be it in nursing operation or investigation, nurses are known to develop knowledge relevant to intensify the care of patients. The theory relates to a logical class of shared propositions used as morals of demonstration. The nursing theory ought to offer a principle that reinforces the practice and aide in the generation of advanced nursing knowledge. Nonetheless, a shortage of agreement in the specialized writings on nursing theories on complicates nursing profession (Nilsen, 2015). it has made many dismiss nursing theories as inappropriate to the practice. However, nursing theories are relevant and essential to the practice. Nursing theories guide to research and develop the practice.

The primary purpose of nursing theories in the occupation is to improve the practice through positively influencing the quality and health of clients. Theories and the method are related in that they are reciprocal to each other. The training is the foundation for the advancement of nursing theories though nursing theories have to be validated in practice. Regardless of progress, the progression of nursing theories in the past has created gaps between the practice and theories. It is a standard view by nursing professionals. Practising nurses hardly, utilize the language of nursing theories lest are obligated to use it by the authorizing bodies (Masters, 2014). There exist various aspects that contribute to the gaps in theory practice. Theory advancement has been perceived as the realm of nurse instructors and researchers as opposed to the issues of the practising nurses.

Nursing theories and practices have been regarded as two distinct and different nursing events. Nursing theory has constructs and terms that have to be described before using them in practice.  Moreover, practised normally develop without assumptions, and understanding approaches is not an assurance for the excellent training. Theory-lead methods, in the system of practice theories, can be termed as the future of nursing. Practice theory is limited, a circumscribed theory suggested for a certain kind of practice. In this 21st century, researchers, professional nursing scholars, scientists, practitioners, and research enthusiasts have to put theory-guided practices at the centre of nursing (Masters, 2014). To offer efficient, well-organized, and universal care, nurses have to depend on thorough theoretical ethics to create and execute the care strategy.

Models usually include careful interpretation of phenomena or specific aspects of events. Models have to be basically and accurately completed illustrations of certainty to have value.  A theory and a model are closely related. It is not always clear to differentiate between the two. A model can be defined as a theory with a more narrowly defined scope of justification (Nilsen, 2015). Models are descriptive, while theories are both descriptive and illustrative.

A framework typically represents structures, outlines, systems, overviews and plans consisting of several explanatory categories such as a concept, variable and construct as well as the relationship between themselves that are supposed to describe an occurrence. A framework hardly explains, and they mainly describe scientific phenomena by fixing them into a set of categories. Theories also essential since it helps in deciding what nurses know and what they ought to know. Since the nursing profession is grounded by caring, which cannot be measured; hence there is a need for theories to examine and expound the roles nurses play. Though models, frameworks and methods are different terms, they can be applied interchangeably in implementation science (Masters, 2014). Theories here indicate some analytical capacity, which tries to describe the causal constructs of implementation.

One of the conceptual models of nursing is Neuman’s system models; it was developed by Betty Neuman, which emphasis individuals’ relationship to stress, its reaction and reconstitution factors that are dynamic.  The model comprises of a central core of energy resources which are surrounded by many lines of resistance, the standard range of defence and the flexible line of defence. Neuman Systems Model adopts a comprehensive, all-inclusive and system-based approach that considers flexibility as a factor (Lowry &Aylward, 2015). It stresses on the response of the patient system to real and predictive environmental stressors.

The client system constitutes an elementary or essential structure that is safeguarded by lines of resistance. Standard route of defence is used to describe the average level of health that is secured by a flexible range of protection. In her assertion, Neuman stated that when stressor crosses the flexible line of defence, the system is attacked and the edges of resistance are stimulated. The system shifts into illness on a wellness-illness field.  If sufficient energy exists, the standard line of defence would be restored (Lowry &Aylward, 2015). Nursing utilizes threes prevention modalities to regain system stability. The primary prevention that aimed at protecting the regular line and strengthening the line of defence, the secondary prevention that focuses on enhancing internal lines of resistance while reducing the reaction and increasing resistance factors and the tertiary prevention that acquires and stabilize and protect reconstruction or restore wellness through treatment.

Globally, Neuman Systems Model practitioners utilize social-cultural dimension, cultural belief systems and clients’ spiritual beliefs to help clients’ heal and function well. Dr Betty Neuman emulated the practice since the early ’70s. Neuman urges its users to reconstruct the model to suit their work environment. Neuman’s Systems Model guide practitioners to consider each client’s characteristics, situations and circumstances.

A framework can be designed in a Neuman’s systems model that has three dimensions. The three dimensions include extra-personal, intra-personal, and interpersonal   In the Neuman systems model a three-dimensional framework of interpersonal stressors which are utilized in the examination of the patient’s stress. In this case, caregiver’s actions are regarded as the basis of stress or stressors when in the caregiving practice. The exceptional perceptions by the caregivers’ whether an effort is complicated can produce desired results in their caregiving practice (Lowry &Aylward, 2015). A family can be either impacted negatively or positively by mentally ill kin through an effective procedure thus affecting the patterns of family responsibility, communication, family roles and other forms of interaction as the family familiarizes to the psychological and physiological stressors of handling the illness.

The fundamental role of the family is to uphold the integrity of the structure as well as ensuring they maintain the family’s form of wellness. Severe mental illnesses can impact family life negatively, thus causing them stress. Hence, the problems faced by the caregivers of schizophrenic clients in the caregiving practice develop stressor effects. From this Betty Neuman Systems model, personal appearances of resistance are linked to the procedures of coping utilized by the care providers against stressors.

The application of operational coping procedures inhibits stressors from destroying the client’s resistance lines, and thus allow the security of the client’s simple structures. In such situations, the selection of the coping approaches utilized by the care providers to the patients having schizophrenia and the use of effective coping techniques allows the caregivers to maintain a balanced system. Therefore, this safeguards the protection of the underlying structures. The Neuman systems model also indicates energy sources as part of her basic structures (Lowry &Aylward, 2015). This model is beneficial as Neuman enumerated the entire energy sources that she pertains. With this model, new nursing intervention and the energy provisions of the client can be conceptualized.

Neuman’s Systems Model is used in nursing to understand the patient’s behaviour and assess all the stressors of the patient and then applied relevant intervention accordingly. Generally, Neuman system model is applicable in contemporary nursing practice.Neuman’s Systems Model also provides a collaborative platform to nurses with patient, family and societies. It facilitates a flexible and extensive multidisciplinary framework for nursing. This model does not directly affect the physiological perspective of an individual, but it instead assists the patient deal with their psychological and spiritual belief altogether.

References

Lowry, L. W., &Aylward, P. D. (2015). Betty Neuman’s systems model. Nursing theories & nursing practise 165-184.

Masters, K. (2014). Nursing theories: A framework for professional practice. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

Nilsen, P. (2015). Making sense of implementation theories, models and frameworks. Implementation Science, 10(1), 53.