Question

Briefly summarize (1 sentence) in your own words the Philosophy/Theory of the following nurses: a. Nightingale b. Henderson c. Watson d. Benner e. Peplau f. Orlando g. Pender h. Leininger i. Newman

Answer 1

Underneath I have described the nursing theories with key components so that it becomes easier to understand.

a) Nightingale's Theory of Nursing

Florence Nightingale’s Environmental Theory

Florence Nightingale is considered the first nursing theorist. She believed the environment had a strong influence on patient outcomes, and many elements of her Environmental Theory are still practiced today. There are 10 key aspects of the theory. They are:

1. Patients should have clean air and a temperature-controlled environment

2. Patients should have access to direct sunlight and not be subjected to unnecessary noise, especially when sleeping

3. Rooms should be kept clean

4. Hospital facilities should be well-constructed

5. Bedding should be changed and aired frequently

6. Patients should be kept clean and nurses should wash hands frequently

7. Patients should be offered a variety of scenery, such as new books or flowers, to prevent boredom

8. Nurses should be positive but not offer false hope to patients or make light of their illness

9. Offer a variety of small meals instead of large ones, and do not do patient care while patient is eating as it is distracting

10. Consider not only the individual patient but the context of where he or she lives

Florence Nightingale defined nursing over 100 years ago as "the act of utilizing the environment of the patient to assist him in his recovery( Nightingale,1860). NIghtingale considered a clean,well-ventilated, and quiet environment essential for recovery.

b) Henderson Theory of Nursing

Henderson defined nursing as doing things for patients that they would do for themselves if they could, that is if they were physically able or had the required knowledge. Nursing helps the patient become healthy or die peacefully, and also helps people work toward independence, so that they can begin to perform the relevant activities for themselves as quickly as possible. Rather than focus on a particular task, Henderson focused on the patient.

Henderson also enumerated the 14 functions she believed to be part of basic nursing care. The nurse should help the patient to perform the following functions:

• eat and drink
• breathe
• move
• sleep
• dress
• work to gain a sense of accomplishment
• maintain normal body temperature
• eliminate wastes
• keep clean
• communicate
• participate in recreation
• worship
• avoid dangers or hurting others
• learn and discover

c) Watson Theory of Nursing

Watson believed that holistic health care is central to the practice of caring in nursing. She defines nursing as "a human science of persons and human health-illness experiences that are mediated by professional, personal, scientific, esthetic and ethical human transactions."
Watson's model makes seven assumptions:

1. Caring can be effectively demonstrated and practiced only interpersonally.
2. Caring consists of carative factors that result in the satisfaction of certain human needs.
3. Effective caring promotes health and individual or family growth.
4. Caring responses accept the patient as he or she is now, as well as what he or she may become.
5. A caring environment is one that offers the development of potential while allowing the patient to choose the best action for him or herself at a given point in time.
6. A science of caring is complementary to the science of curing.
7. The practice of caring is central to nursing.

d) Benner Theory of Nursing

Dr Patricia Benner introduced the concept that expert nurses develop skills and understanding of patient care over time through a sound educational base as well as a multitude of experiences.

She described 5 levels of nursing experience as;

1. Novice
2. Advanced beginner
3. Competent
4. Proficient
5. Expert

e) Peplau Theory of Nursing

Theory of Interpersonal Relations in Nursing

In Peplau's (1952/1991/1997) theory, nursing is defined as an interpersonal, therapeutic process that takes place when professionals, specifically educated to be nurses, engage in therapeutic relationships with people who are in need of health services.

f) Orlando Theory of Nursing

The Nursing Process was based on a theory developed by nurse Ida Jean Orlando. This theory delves into the purpose of nurses and their requirements in the medical field.
The theory assumes that a patient who cannot cope with their medical needs without assistance will become distressed and begin feeling helpless. At the base level, nursing can contribute to this distress. However, Orlando theorized that the nurse/patient relationship is one that is decided by both parties. The patient cannot appropriately convey their needs or fears without first establishing a close relationship with the nurse. As such, nurses exist to offer patients a motherly and nurturing presence to relieve distress.

g) Pender Theory of Nursing

Nola Pender developed her Health Promotion model, often abbreviated HPM.

The purpose of the model is to assist nurses in understanding the major determinants of health behaviors as a basis for behavioral counseling to promote healthy lifestyles. Pender's theory encourages scholars to look at variables that have been shown to impact health behavior. It uses research findings from nursing, psychology, and public health into a model of health behavior. The model can be used as a foundation to structure nursing protocols and interventions. In practices, nurses should focus on understanding and addressing the variables most predictive of given health behaviors.

There are five key concepts in the Health Promotion Model: person, environment, nursing, health, and illness.

h) Leininger Theory of Nursing

Leininger defined transcultural nursing as an area of study that focuses on comparative cultural care based on the beliefs, practices, and values of care-seeking patients. Its main purpose is to provide both universal and culture-based nursing practices that promote well-being and health.

i) Newman Theory of Nursing

Margaret A. Newman was influenced by Martha Rogers' Theory of Unitary Human Beings, Itzhak Bentov's Concept of the Evolution of Consciousness, Arthur Young's Theory of Process, and David Bohm's Theory of Implicate as she developed her model of nursing.

The Health as Expanding Consciousness theory makes the following assumptions:

• Health encompasses conditions described as illness, or, in medical terms, pathology.
• These pathological conditions can be considered a manifestation of the total pattern of the patient.
• The pattern of the individual patient that eventually manifests itself as pathology is primary, and exists prior to structural or functional changes.
• Removal of pathology will not, in itself, change the pattern of the individual patient.
• If becoming ill is the only way an individual patient's pattern is able to manifest itself, then that is health for that individual patient.
• Health is an expansion of consciousness.