HLT 302 Grand Canyon Topic 2 Discussion 2

Review the Worldviews in Nursing Theories section of chapter 3 in Called to Care: A Christian Worldview for Nursing. Select two of the definitions of “health” provided in the text. Within the context of the broader worldview, describe the two selected definitions of “health” of the (six) worldview concepts and nursing theories described in your textbook. How would you define health?

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Worldviews in Nursing Theories

Introduction

Nursing is a profession that has been around for centuries, but it’s only recently that we’ve started to understand what makes nursing work. In this article, we’ll look at some of the key theories that form the basis of modern nursing practice. We’ll explore how each theory was developed and why they’re so important today—not just as guides for nurses but also as learning tools for students and practitioners alike!

Florence Nightingale’s theory of human health and the environment

Florence Nightingale’s theory of human health and the environment was one of the first nursing theories. She believed that nurses were in charge of their patients’ environments, which could include food, sleep, cleanliness or other aspects. Florence Nightingale also believed that nurses should have an understanding of what goes on in their patient’s homes; this way they can provide better care for them than if they didn’t know about these things at all.

Virginia Henderson’s nursing theory of needs

Virginia Henderson’s nursing theory of needs is based on the idea that people have basic needs, which are the same for everyone regardless of culture. These include food, shelter and clothing; safety (from abuse); love and belonging.

Henderson believed in one basic reality: people everywhere want to be loved and belong to someone or something larger than themselves—a tribe or community where they can feel secure; others who will keep them safe from harm; a spiritual path that allows them to find meaning through life’s hardships. In other words: it’s all about relationships!

This theory has been adapted by many different nurses over time because it makes intuitive sense when you think about how we operate within our own lives as individuals—and also as members of communities where we live together with others who share similar values as us (or not).

Dorothea Orem’s self-care deficit theory

Dorothea Orem’s self-care deficit theory is a nursing theory, which means it’s based on the idea that people are responsible for their own health. This means that you’re not just going to take care of yourself—you have to take care of yourself.

The theory focuses on both the individual and the environment: how does your environment make you feel? How does this affect how well you can manage your own health issues? In other words, what role does your relationship with others play in understanding health?

Self-care deficit theories can be applied to any aspect of nursing theory as long as they are rooted in holistic thinking (elements from multiple perspectives).

Margret McFarland’s interaction model

• The nurse must determine the patient’s physical, psychological and social needs.

• The nurse must assess the patient’s ability to meet those needs.

Patricia Benner’s theory of nursing skill competency

The theory of nursing skill competency is a framework for assessing and evaluating the abilities of nurses. The theory was developed by Patricia Benner and it focuses on the role that competencies play in determining nursing practice. Benner argues that all health care providers have different levels of competence, but that some individuals have more advanced levels than others based on prior training or experience (Benner, 1983).

According to this perspective, there are three levels at which one can achieve competence: basic skills; intermediate skills; and advanced skills. Basic skills include things like taking vital signs and performing first aid procedures while intermediate skills include administering medication under supervision or managing pain (Benner & Donovan, 2009). Advanced practitioners must also demonstrate clinical judgment when making decisions about patient care as well as communicate effectively with patients who may not understand what they’re saying (Benner & Donovan).

The theories that form the basis of modern nursing all have a different worldview as their starting point.

A worldview is the set of assumptions about the world and how it works that an individual holds. For example, a person with an atheistic worldview might believe that there is no God, no afterlife or heaven, and no life after death. A person with a Christian worldview might believe that God created the world and sent his son to die for our sins so that we could have eternal life with him in heaven.

Nursing theories are based on different worldviews as well: science-based (biomedical), personal/psychological (humanistic), community-based (social), humanistic behavioralist (health promotion). Each theory has its own strengths and weaknesses but they all have something to offer nurses who want to practice evidence-based care while maintaining their humanity at work every day!

Conclusion

I hope this has been a helpful overview of some of the nursing theories that have shaped our profession. It’s important to remember that these theories are not static and will change over time, but they can serve as a starting point for exploring new ways of thinking in nursing.