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Importance of Theory

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Importance of Nursing Theory
We can define nursing theory as a group of concepts that describe and present current knowledge in nursing. Nursing theory looks to provide an overall vision and understanding of the profession of nursing. It helps to organize knowledge obtained and advances the way a discipline is practiced (Shea & Cavan, 2014). Before this course I had little exposure to nursing theory and its application in the clinical realm. I knew things were done a certain way but truly did not know the origin of the ideas that influenced current nursing care. During the completion of my BSN degree, I grasped a basic concept of nursing theory and studied the major theorist involved. It has been very enlightening to view nursing theory in another dimension and study the clinical implication of its integration in practice during this course.
In the following analysis I will seek to establish the importance of nursing theory and its application. I will discuss Virginia Henderson’s theory of need nursing and the application of its key concepts into practice. I will also establish important aspects of her theory and how they apply to the nursing metaparadigm. The analysis will also address the relationship between Henderson’s views and nursing informatics. Overall the influence of theory and its application in nursing will be thoroughly discussed.

The Value of Nursing Theory
Throughout time, the nursing profession has been influenced by nursing theory.
Nursing theory has contributed to the expansion of nursing care and its proper application in the clinical realm. Nursing practice is more clearly understood and developed through the use of nursing theory. Theory fosters critical thinking and provides nurses with an expanded insight (Aghebati, Mohammadi, Ahmadi & Noaparast, 2015).
The development of nursing theories has played an integral part in the structural basis and definition of a professional nurse. This is why it’s critical for theory to be understood and valued by practicing nurses. Through the development of theory, the nursing profession solidified itself and began to be viewed as a unique discipline. It distant itself from being dependent on other professions and blindly taking orders. It is important to continue to develop theory and integrate the latest evidence base practices in the clinical setting. This will ensure the continual development and expansion of the nursing profession (Bond, Eshah, Bani‐Khaled, Habashneh, Kataua & Maabreh, 2011).
Virginia Henderson’s Theory At the center of theory development we can identify Virginia Henderson’s theory of need nursing. She viewed the nurse as the professional that is to aid the patient in the performance of activities that influence and contribute to health. The overall goal of the patient was to allow him to regain autonomy in essential activities of living, as health was improved. This theory till this day can be applied in numerous specialties of nursing. From acute care, palliative care, home care; all theses specialties have integrated core elements of Henderson’s theory. Henderson’s theory laid the foundation for modern theory development and the expansion of the role of the nurse (Nicely & DeLario, 2011).
The elements of the nursing metaparadigm are closely related to Henderson’s need nursing theory. The person, health, environment and nursing practice are all interconnected in meeting the essential needs of the patient. Virginia Henderson outlined basic needs that become the focus of nursing care. Needs such as oxygenation, nutrition, elimination are daily functions that must be taken into consideration. These needs are essential to maintain a balance in the body and improve the patients overall condition. Unconsciously, we frequently take into consideration some of Henderson’s outlined 14 basic needs when providing direct patient care. Virginia establishes that in meeting the needs of the patient the nurse gains a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. I believe it is essential to meet the basic needs of the patient before moving on to more complex areas of care (Waller-Wise, 2013).
Henderson’s View on Nursing Informatics Even though Virginia Henderson did not directly include nursing informatics in her need base theory, her overall holistic view of nursing addressed the importance of nursing informatics. Henderson had very passionate ideas regarding the use of technology and its application in the field of nursing. Virginia Henderson advocated for the use of electronic patient records as early as 1985. She established that its use would allow for the processing and collection of patient information for statistical data. She also believed this would improve overall patient care. Virginia Henderson also expressed that in promoting an international medical record with contributions from interdisciplinary members of the health care team, would allow patient to be empowered (Blais & Hayes, 2010). It is fascinating to read how Virginia Henderson was so ahead of her time. Her theory of need nursing is applied in many aspects of patient care. Virginia also saw how in creating a structured environment, the needs of the patient could be meet more effectively (Waller-Wise, 2013). The electronic medical record has revolutionized nursing practice. I can remember like it was yesterday when we were transitioning from paper charting to computerized charting in the facility I was working in.
The vision Henderson described is the actual picture of the nursing profession in regards to technology. Today nurses can’t live without computers. When we have a system downtime or the computers subside from working, some nurses panic and have no idea of what to do next. Care is very dependent on electronic health systems and the internet. Most specialty areas of nursing I have worked in have integrated computerized health system in their institutions. The electronic medical record has provided an invaluable platform in which patient care is disseminated. In the last few years, we have gone as far as integrating an electronic medication administration record in the clinical setting (DesRoches, 2015). This comes to show how Henderson envisioned the areas the the nursing profession needed to improve in order to optimize nursing care.
In order for a profession
In order for a profession
It is interesting to see how Virginia Henderson also advocated for an international medical record with contributions from interdisciplinary members of the health care team. Today the hospital I work in is implementing a system to empower the patients during and after hospitalization. A year ago they launched a website called my health first. Through this website patients are able to look at results and have access to all the interdisciplinary notes created during hospitalization. Through this initiative the hospital is looking to provide patients with information and have them more engaged in their care. The concept for an international medical record has many similarities to those instituted in the health first website.
Conclusion
It is essential for nursing theory to exist, in order for the nursing profession to continue evolving and solidifying as a profession. Nursing theory provides a platform in which research and clinical practice can be developed. Without having a notion of it, nurses apply theory in their practice on a daily basis. When reflecting on the development of nursing theory and its application, a theorist that stands out is Virginia Henderson. Henderson’s theory of need nursing can be applied in numerous clinical settings and specialty areas of nursing. I believe her theory has provided a great theoretical platform in the nursing profession, aiding in its expansion and establishment as an autonomous discipline. Henderson went as far as to envision how nursing informatics was to influence the nursing profession. Her ideas are clearly represented in the clinical setting, with the use of the electronic medical record. I find that it’s important for nurses to value nursing theory and understand that its development improves patient care. In order for our profession to continue to expand, it is vital that nurses understand the use of theory and its application in research and practice.

References
Aghebati, N., Mohammadi, E., Ahmadi, F., & Noaparast, K. B. (2015). Principle-Based Concept Analysis: Intentionality in Holistic Nursing Theories. Journal Of Holistic Nursing, 33(1), 68-83. doi:10.1177/0898010114537402.
Blais, K. & Hayes, J.S. (2010). Professional nursing practice: Concepts and perspectives (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Bond, A. E., Eshah, N. F., Bani‐Khaled, M., Hamad, A. O., Habashneh, S., Kataua, H. & Maabreh, R. (2011). Who uses nursing theory? A univariate descriptive analysis of five years research articles. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 25(2), 404-409. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20950408
DesRoches, C. (2015). Progress and challenges in electronic health record adoption: Findings from a national survey of physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine, 162(5), 396. doi:10.7326/L15-5060
Nicely, B., & DeLario, G. T. (2011). Virginia Henderson's principles and practice of nursing applied to organ donation after brain death. Progress in Transplantation, 21(1), 72-77. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com.proxy.chamberlain.edu:8080/ehost/pdfview er/pdfviewer?sid=08c85252-9539-4bef-8842 d11a0a7970ca%40sessionmgr115&vid=5
Shea, L., & Cavan, N. (2014). Application of Integral Theory in Holistic Nursing Practice. Holistic Nursing Practice, 28(6), 344-352. doi:10.1097/HNP.0000000000000050
Waller-Wise, R. (2013). Utilizing Henderson's nursing theory in childbirth education. International Journal of Childbirth Education, 28(2), 30-34.

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