Essay Sample on Nursing Theories: Impact on Nursing Practice

Introduction

The first nursing experience involved interviewing 6 nurses regarding nursing theorists. From the interview, a nursing theorist whose ideas have had an impact on nursing practice was identified. Her name was Madeleine Leininger. Her theory, the culture care theory, focuses on the care needs of patients from diverse backgrounds and community settings (Norwich University, 2017). From the interview, I learned about the aspects of this theory and how it is based on evidence-based practice. Leininger indicates that this theory helps nurses to provide comprehensive care that serves different cultural demands (Norwich University, 2017). I have learned that to provide effective evidence-based practice, I should understand the different worldviews, languages, societal structures, and ethnic histories among other factors. By understanding different cultures, I can develop a trans-cultural practice that serves the needs of all patients. It supports the growth of the evidence-based practice.

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Viewing Virtual Presentation

The second experience activity was viewing a virtual presentation on evidence-based practice hand hygiene. From the virtual presentation, there were suggestions on how hand hygiene compliance can be increased. The first suggestion was that awareness will be improved (Neo et al., 2016). The presentation showed that awareness can be improved with education. I believe that education is one of the most effective ways of integrating evidence-based practice in the healthcare setting. For example, knowledge can be shared among the patients and the nurses. I can tell a patient more about his or her condition to help select the best care. Evaluation, feedback, and monitoring are other important aspects of education and awareness in the virtual presentation. I believe that they can be essential in improving my nursing practice as they enhance evidence-based research. I also learned that hand hygiene compliance can be improved by developing effective programs (Neo et al., 2016). Such programs can support my growth in evidence-based practice.

Reading Scholarly Research

The third experience activity was reading scholarly research on hand hygiene. To me, reading scholarly research is one of the most effective ways of improving evidence-based practice. Scholarly research is conducted by professionals in different fields of medicine. For example, I read a large amount of scholarly research on how evidence-based practice is essential in improving the quality of care that is provided to patients about hand hygiene. As nurses, we have an important role in ensuring that patients get the highest care irrespective of their backgrounds or conditions. In the future, I will read more scholarly research. I will apply what I have learned from them in my evidence-based practice. I will benefit from the extended knowledge that it will provide to me.

Journaling

Journaling was one of my favorite things to do. One important thing about journaling is that it helps one in storing records that can be used in the future. For example, journaling about a nursing theorist will allow me to use the knowledge in the future to improve my evidence-based practice. Journaling has been a way through which I reflect on what I have done on a daily or weekly basis. Journaling about ways of improving hand hygiene was also an effective way of ensuring that I stick to the practice at all times. I believe that journaling should be part of nursing practice. It is a way through which one can ensure that their actions do not affect patient outcomes.

References

Neo, J. R. J., Sagha-Zadeh, R., Vielemeyer, O., & Franklin, E. (2016). Evidence-based practices to increase hand hygiene compliance in health care facilities: An integrated review. American Journal of Infection Control 44(6); 691-704.

Norwich University (2017). 5 nursing theories for nurse educators. Retrieved from https://online.norwich.edu/academic-programs/resources/5-nursing-theories-for-nurse-educators