Applying Nursing Theory in Patient Care Nursing theory plays a critical role in patient care. It essentially serves as the basis for understanding and enhancing patient care. Besides, nursing theory provides a systematic framework to guide nurses in the course of their nursing practice so that they can provide patients with evidence-based and holistic care. Infusing nursing theory into patient care enables healthcare professionals to improve patient outcomes, enhance their decision-making, and contribute to the overall development of nursing practice and profession. Against this background, this essay explores the purpose of applying nursing theory to patient care, the meaningfulness of nursing theory in current practice, the application of nursing theory in care planning, and the theory that best reflects my personal view of the essence of nursing. Purpose of Applying Nursing Theory Nursing theory application in nursing practice serves many purposes (Yip, 2021). For instance, nursing theory acts as the foundation upon which nursing practice is anchored. In this regard, nursing theory equips nurses to understand the complexities of the healthcare system, illnesses, and human health generally (Hansen & Dysvik, 2022). Studying and applying nursing theory thus helps nurses acquire critical insights into interconnections between healthcare interventions, environments, and patients. With this understanding, nurses are better positioned to identify appropriate interventions and strategies for ensuring culturally sensitive, effective, and safe care. Next, nursing theory helps nurses organize and prioritize patient care by systematically collecting patient data, identifying appropriate nursing diagnoses, setting goals, and planning intervention
Order this paper