Posted: July 20th, 2023
Strategies for Advocating the Implementation of Nursing Theory in Quality Practice
What strategies might a professional nurse use in his/her work environment to advocate for implementation of nursing theory as a framework for quality practice?
Submission Instructions:
Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources. Your initial post is worth 8 points.
You should respond to at least two of your peers by extending, refuting/correcting, or adding additional nuance to their posts. Your reply posts are worth 2 points (1 point per response.)
All replies must be constructive and use literature where possible.
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Strategies for Advocating the Implementation of Nursing Theory in Quality Practice
Introduction:
As nursing practice evolves, the significance of nursing theory in guiding clinical decision-making and providing a foundation for quality care becomes increasingly evident. Professional nurses play a pivotal role in advocating for the integration of nursing theory within their work environments to enhance patient outcomes, promote evidence-based practices, and foster a culture of continuous learning. In this article, we will explore effective strategies that a professional nurse can employ to champion the implementation of nursing theory as a framework for quality practice.
Promoting Awareness and Education:
One of the key strategies for advocating the integration of nursing theory is to foster awareness and understanding among colleagues and healthcare stakeholders. Nurses can organize workshops, seminars, and presentations to showcase the practical relevance and benefits of incorporating nursing theory into daily practice. By using concrete examples from peer-reviewed sources and sharing success stories, nurses can effectively demonstrate the positive impact of theory-based interventions on patient care.
Collaborating with Nurse Leaders:
Nurse leaders possess significant influence within healthcare institutions and can be valuable allies in promoting the use of nursing theory. Engaging in open dialogues with nurse leaders and discussing the potential benefits of integrating nursing theory can lead to its endorsement and support at the organizational level. Encouraging nurse leaders to participate in continuing education programs and workshops focused on nursing theory will also help them become champions for its implementation.
Utilizing Research and Evidence:
To gain credibility and strengthen the argument for nursing theory integration, nurses should emphasize the evidence-based nature of theoretical frameworks. By referencing recent scholarly sources and empirical studies, nurses can showcase how nursing theories have been successfully applied to improve patient outcomes in diverse clinical settings. This evidence-based approach lends authority to the advocacy efforts and fosters trust among colleagues and administrators.
Developing Clinical Practice Guidelines:
Professional nurses can collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop evidence-based clinical practice guidelines rooted in nursing theory. These guidelines can then be incorporated into organizational policies and procedures, ensuring that nursing theory becomes an integral part of daily practice. By aligning theory-based guidelines with established quality improvement initiatives, nurses can further underscore the importance of incorporating theory into care delivery.
Participating in Research and Publication:
Contributing to research in nursing theory and publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals can significantly bolster the credibility of a nurse’s advocacy efforts. Engaging in original research or literature reviews that demonstrate the practical implications of nursing theory on patient outcomes will attract attention from the broader healthcare community and garner support for implementation.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, advocating for the implementation of nursing theory as a framework for quality practice requires a multi-faceted approach. Professional nurses can promote awareness and education, collaborate with nurse leaders, utilize research and evidence, develop clinical practice guidelines, and actively participate in research and publication. By employing these strategies, nurses can play a vital role in shaping a healthcare environment that embraces nursing theory as a fundamental pillar of high-quality patient care.
References:
Meleis, A. I., Sawyer, L. M., Im, E. O., Hilfinger Messias, D. K., & Schumacher, K. (2016). Experiencing transitions: An emerging middle-range theory. Advances in Nursing Science, 39(3), 183-196.
Tourangeau, A. E., Cummings, G., Cranley, L. A., Ferron, E. M., Harvey, S., & Horsburgh, M. E. (2016). Determinants of hospital nurse intention to remain employed: Broadening our understanding. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 72(12), 2828-2838.
Jones, R. A., Neff, D. F., & Macmillan, K. (2017). Learning to think like a nurse: Stories from novices. Journal of Nursing Education, 56(2), 83-88.
Black, B. P. (2018). Professional nursing: Concepts & challenges (8th ed.). Elsevier.