EXAMPLE Apply Theory To A Practice Prob
Application of Theory to the Practice Problem of Nurse Staffing
Marialena Murphy
Grand Canyon University
August 10, 2011
Application of Theory to the Practice Problem of Nurse Staffing
Nursing theory influences the practice of nursing in a multitude of ways that can have a profound impact. Theory provides a framework to support and define nursing practice, support quality of patient care, and can be implemented in practice situations to provide solutions to nursing practice problems. Applying theory to resolve nursing challenges can be utilized in educational and research settings, direct patient care situations, as well as in administration and management of nursing care services. The benefits of applying theory to address a practice dilemma can be demonstrated by applying Jean Watson’s theory of human caring, and Ken Wilbur’s integral theory and examining how these theories impact the problems surrounding nurse staffing situations in an acute care hospital setting.
Practice Problem Identification and Importance
A review of the nursing literature demonstrates that supporting nurse staffing ensures quality nursing care for patients and has been an ongoing challenge for nurse managers and administrators. Failure to ensure sufficient numbers and compassionate nurse staff has been demonstrated to negatively impact patient satisfaction and outcomes. The nurse staffing problem is not limited only to ensure adequate numbers of staff that are being lost in the acute care settings due to overwork, burnout, compassion fatigue and injuries; the nurse staffing problem also includes the impact to patient care and to the nursing work force when compassion and caring is absent and the negative effects this has on both the patient and the nurse (Douglas, 2010). Traditional methods of addressing nurse staffing issues with financially based recruitment and retention plans have not resolved these issues; however, applying the theory of human caring to the issue of
Marialena Murphy
Grand Canyon University
August 10, 2011
Application of Theory to the Practice Problem of Nurse Staffing
Nursing theory influences the practice of nursing in a multitude of ways that can have a profound impact. Theory provides a framework to support and define nursing practice, support quality of patient care, and can be implemented in practice situations to provide solutions to nursing practice problems. Applying theory to resolve nursing challenges can be utilized in educational and research settings, direct patient care situations, as well as in administration and management of nursing care services. The benefits of applying theory to address a practice dilemma can be demonstrated by applying Jean Watson’s theory of human caring, and Ken Wilbur’s integral theory and examining how these theories impact the problems surrounding nurse staffing situations in an acute care hospital setting.
Practice Problem Identification and Importance
A review of the nursing literature demonstrates that supporting nurse staffing ensures quality nursing care for patients and has been an ongoing challenge for nurse managers and administrators. Failure to ensure sufficient numbers and compassionate nurse staff has been demonstrated to negatively impact patient satisfaction and outcomes. The nurse staffing problem is not limited only to ensure adequate numbers of staff that are being lost in the acute care settings due to overwork, burnout, compassion fatigue and injuries; the nurse staffing problem also includes the impact to patient care and to the nursing work force when compassion and caring is absent and the negative effects this has on both the patient and the nurse (Douglas, 2010). Traditional methods of addressing nurse staffing issues with financially based recruitment and retention plans have not resolved these issues; however, applying the theory of human caring to the issue of
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