THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE NURSING PROFESSION

The Growth And Development Of The Nursing Profession

The Growth And Development Of The Nursing Profession

1. Based on your readings, do you think nursing is a profession?

Nursing are a set of interrelated concepts that give a systematic view of a phenomenon (an observable fact or event) that is explanatory & predictive in nature. Professions are composed of concepts, definitions, models, propositions & are based on assumptions. They are derived through two principal methods; deductive reasoning and inductive reasoning. Nursing theorists use both of these methods. Theory is “a creative and rigorous structuring of ideas that projects a tentative, purposeful, and systematic view of phenomena”. A theory makes it possible to “organize the relationship among the concepts to describe, explain, predict, and control practice”. Concepts are basically vehicles of thought that involve images. Concepts are words that describe objects, properties, or events & are basic components of theory.

2. List the 3 historical threads found in the study of nursing history

Empirical concepts

Inferential concepts

Abstract concepts

Definitions

Models are representations of the interaction among and between the concepts showing patterns.

Propositions are statements that explain the relationship between the concepts.

Process it is a series of actions, changes or functions intended to bring about a desired result. During a process one takes systemic & continuous steps to meet a goal & uses both assessments & feedback to direct actions to the goal.

A particular theory or conceptual frame work directs how these actions are carried out. The delivery of nursing care within the nursing process is directed by the way specific conceptual frameworks & professions define the person (patient), the environment, health & nursing.

The terms 'model' and 'theory' are often wrongly used interchangeably, which further confounds matters.

In nursing, models are often designed by theory authors to depict the beliefs in their theory (Lancaster and Lancaster 1981).

They provide an overview of the thinking behind the theory and may demonstrate how theory can be introduced into practice, for example, through specific methods of assessment.

Models are useful as they allow the concepts in nursing theory to be successfully applied to nursing practice (Lancaster and Lancaster 1981). Their main limitation is that they are only as accurate or useful as the underlying theory.

Importance of nursing professions

Nursing theory aims to describe, predict and explain the phenomenon of nursing (Chinn and Jacobs1978).

It should provide the foundations of nursing practice, help to generate further knowledge and indicate in which direction nursing should develop in the future (Brown 1964).

Theory is important because it helps us to decide what we know and what we need to know (Parsons1949).

It helps to distinguish what should form the basis of practice by explicitly describing nursing.

The benefits of having a defined body of theory in nursing include better patient care, enhanced professional status for nurses, improved communication between nurses, and guidance for research and education (Nolan 1996). In addition, because

The main exponent of nursing - caring - cannot be measured, it ...