Topic: Future Issues in Nursing Theory
Thread: How has your view of nursing theory, practice, and nursing knowledge changed
because of this course? Based on what you have learned in this course, how will you
apply nursing theory to your career? How would you respond if a colleague were to ask
you, “Why is nursing theory important to practice?”
In your thread, utilize content from McEwen & Wills’ chapter 23 commentary about
future issues in nursing theory and/or chapter 15 in Shelly & Miller. While other sources
may also be used, at least 1 of these course texts must be cited in your thread.
Submit your thread by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Thursday of Module/Week 8 and your replies
by Friday of the same module/week.
The future of nursing is ever evolving, and we must embrace the changes that come with
this. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under
the heavens:” (NIV) The Institute of Medicine has identified five major health care challenges
that the future of nursing will face. These are chronic health conditions, an aging population, an
extremely diverse population, health disparities, and decreased proficiency of the English
language (McEwen & Wills, 2018). Each of these factors change the way we deliver care to our
patients. Integrating the use of nursing theories into practice could help us to reach our goals of
providing safe yet effective and high-quality care to patients despite these factors. Before this
class, I was only familiar with a few theorists and their research. During the course, I was able to
familiarize myself with many more theories and their application to practice. “Nursing theories
help provide direction for planning and measuring patient outcomes and conducting research”
(Schaffer, Sandau, & Missal, 2017). With further understanding of these theories, I feel capable
of using specific theories to direct my patient care in order to achieve positive patient outcomes.
I will admit, I was not excited for this course however, I believe that this knowledge will only
help me to become the best nurse, and eventually educator, that I can be.
If a colleague were to question me on how I integrate nursing theory into my practice, I
would answer that I always have been, but with my increased knowledge through this course, I
am able to do so more consciously and with effort rather than passively. Romans 12:6-8 states
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying,
the prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then
teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is
to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” (NIV) All nurses may not use
theory the same way or even believe in the same theories as others. We must use our knowledge
and our faith to help us choose theories that we believe in and that will help guide us through
patient care in order to provide what is needed for our patients (Schaffer, Sandau, & Missal,
2017).
In addition to theory, I will continue to apply evidence-based practice into my own
nursing practice. Doing so is the key to providing patients with the care that has proven to be
successful in obtaining positive outcomes. As an educator, my hope is to motivate students and
assist them to become knowledgeable nurses by teaching theory and evidenced based practice,
since much EBP has been guided by nursing theory. As their educator, I hope to focus on
competency-based curricula and become lifelong learners, as EBP is constantly changing
(McEwen & Wills, 2018). I hope to be a backbone in the future of nursing and I am thankful for
what I have learned in this course to assist me in reaching this goal!
References
McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2018). Theoretical basis for nursing(5th ed.). Philadelphia:
Wolters Kluwer.
Schaffer, M. A., Sandau, K., & Missal, B. (2017). Demystifying nursing theory. Journal of
Christian Nursing,34(2), 102-107. doi:10.1097/cnj.0000000000000375
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