Professional Dynamics - Evolution of Nursing Practice

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Professional Dynamics Evolution Of Nursing Practice Nursing has undergone continuous evolution since its olden days. The profession boasts of immense contribution by historical figures such as Mary Breckinridge, Dorothea Dix, Lillian Wald, and Florence Nightingale, among others. These individuals were committed to propelling nursing to a level where it would promote, improve and maintain a healthy population (Western Governors University, 2021). Nightingale, for instance, is considered the founder of modern nursing. Her role in saving the lives of wounded soldiers during the Crimean War provided the base on which modern nursing care is entrenched. Nightingale gathered crucial information concerning hygiene practices, thus, helping professionals analyze data and realize there was a need for change in the way patients were treated.

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Dorothea Dix, on the other hand, started her career as a teacher but later switched to nursing. While working as a Sunday school teacher for incarcerated women, she was shocked by the state in which these women were living. Through aggressive lobbying congress, she convinced many state legislatures to overhaul their mental care systems to ensure that care was provided in hygienic conditions by trained personnel (Western Governors University, 2021). Her work established the foundation for the key concept of modern nursing whereby professionals are required to offer the best possible care to the patients.

Nursing theory and Conceptual Model The nursing conceptual model refers to the abstract that guides individuals through research. A conceptual model demonstrates the relationship between ideas and concepts and their relationship to the research study (Fawcett, 2016). A nursing theory, on the other hand, is developed through extensive research. It refers to the organized knowledge-based concepts that allow professionals to practice according to their scope of practice and explain their actions in various care delivery practices (Fawcett, 2016). The primary role of nursing theory is to create the base for the development of nursing knowledge and promote evidence-based practice.

One of the nursing theories that influence patient care is the Nursing Need Theory by Virginia Henderson. This theory posits that individuals present with needs that are components of their health. Addressing the people's needs practically help achieve independence and better health outcomes (Kimuyu, 2018). Henderson argued that provision of care guided by the health needs would improve independence and improve progress following hospitalization. Nurses at all levels can apply the need theory to create a foundation for excellent practice (Kimuyu, 2018).

This theory helps nurses to prioritize the needs of patients. Subsequently, a treatment plan that addresses the most critical needs of a client first is established (Masters, 2015). For instance,

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when nurses are dealing with an accident victim with damaged lungs, their priority is to ensure that the risk of brain damage is minimized by providing supplemental oxygen. The next step is to reduce pain and improve the comfort of the patient to minimize further damage.

Florence nightingale efficacy in nursing practice Florence Nightingale’s Theory is significant to nursing practice since it aligns with almost all nursing practice concepts. The theory is entrenched in the concept of professionalism and personal experiences when taking care of the sick and injured (Ali-Pirani, 2016). This theory emphasizes a strong relationship of a person with the nurse, health and environment. This theory implies that if the nurse modifies the patient's environment to suit his/her needs, the patient can be brought to recovery and his health restored. The model provides the basis for applying a holistic approach to patient care. The holistic treatment plan addresses the emotional, physical, and psychological needs of patients (Ali-Pirani, 2016). For instance, nurses have constantly used the theory to modify the feeding patterns of the patients. Nurses are required to give attention to the patients’ diets and consider their preferences. Irrefutably, employing care delivery patterns suitable to the patient improves the efficacy of nursing practice.

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References Ali Pirani, S. S. (2016). Application of Nightingale’s theory in nursing practice. Annals of Nursing and Practice, 3(3), 1-3. https://www.jscimedcentral.com/Nursing/nursing-31040.pdf Fawcett, J. (2016). Applying conceptual models of nursing: quality improvement, research, and practice. Springer Publishing Company.

Kimuyu, P., (2018). Implications of Virginia Henderson’s Theory of Nursing. GRIN Verlag, Masters, K. (2015). Nursing theories: A framework for professional practice. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

Western Governors University (2021). 3 Historical figures that spark nursing Inspiration. https://www.wgu.edu/blog/3-historical-figures-who-spark-nursing-inspiration1909.html