Nursing scholars identified the core of nursing and then established theoretical formulations that would reflect the above. Consequently, DeNisco and Baker (2016) argue that several theories promote theory-based practice of nursing since it bases its operation on the paradigm of care. In particular, Nightingale’ environmental theory and Watson’s Theory of Human Care can play an important role in patient care. Nightingale’s nursing theory operates under the assumption that the environment plays an important role in disease progression (McDonald, 2017). Therefore, in nursing practice, nurses should manipulate the surrounding environment during patient care so as to enhance the recovery process. Watson’s Theory of Human Caring affects the existential phase of nursing and emphasizes on holistic patient care (Sitzman & Watson, 2014). To this end, using this theory in nursing care behooves nurses to care about the patient’s body, mind, and spirit in order to maintain the healing process at an optimal level. Thus, applying the concepts of spirituality, trust, hope, caring, faith and love to nursing practice as dictated by Watson’s Theory of Human Caring helps satisfy the notion of human caring.
DeNisco and Baker (2016) observe that nurse practitioners establish an expertise in electing models and theories that are relevant and appropriate to their practice. Hence, the above-mentioned theories have capacities to incite behavioral change within a health care setting. Given that Watson’s theory focuses on issues related to patient care and even spiritual connection between a patient and a nurse, its application may influence the adoption of a model of care that transcends the patient-centered care (Sitzman & Watson, 2014). Thus, the application of Watson’s Theory of Human Caring may shift nurses’ behaviors from patient-centered care to human-to-human connection so as to improve the quality of patient care. In the same breadth, Florence Nightingale’s theory may influence nurses to focus on the environmental needs of a patient as part of care.
Nightingale’s environmental theory and Watson’s Theory of Human Caring have characteristic strengths and weaknesses. Regarding the former theory, its strengths include the improvement of the quality of care as has been demonstrated by reduced mortality rates when utilized. The wholesome values and principals of the theory continue to receive application in the education of modern nursing (McDonald, 2017). Lastly, the theorist’s five essential components concerning optimal healing that is light, cleanliness, efficient drainage, pure water and pure air continue to form a significant part of healing. However, certain cons such as the absence of proper procedures in handling extremely needy or dependent patients in the theory exist. Also, Nightingale’s assumption that diseases occur primarily due to miasma was disapproved by Pasteur in his famous work.
Watson’s Theory of Caring also has its pros and cons as evidenced by various scholarships on the matter. One of the theory’s benefits encompasses its positive influence on the nurse-patient interaction as well as practice for patients. Additionally, Sitzman and Watson (2014) postulate that the theory places a suffering patient within the context of the culture, the community, and the family and these are important mediators in the recovery process of a patient. Nevertheless, the theory neglects the patient’s biophysical needs and mainly focuses on their psychosocial needs. Such confinement limits health as it has a physiological need that requires to be addressed.
Studies have also revealed that nurse educators can integrate the two theories in their practice. Regarding Nightingale’s environmental theory, nurse educators can integrate the procedures of ensuring a clean setting environment in the curriculum. Thus, through various educational programs, nurse educators can teach their students about hygiene at the workplace and their role in disease acquisition and progression (McDonald, 2017). Watson’s Theory of Human Caring can also play a useful role in educational settings and academic programs. Nurse educators have the capacity to empower their students and enhance their psychosocial wellness via the caring theory. Therefore, advanced practice nurses such as nurse educators can utilize the two theories in various ways.
Porter-O’Grady and Malloch (2016) aver that the concepts of autonomy, beneficence and betrayal among others form the basis for making ethical decisions in medicine. However, an intricate relationship exists between nursing and ethics and as such, examination of the ethical dimension becomes important. The ethical consideration of the two theories with regards to caring may be rooted in the lifeworld-led care. Accordi
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