Scenario
You are working as a Registered Nurse at a local hospital that has recently changed ownership. The new owners of the hospital are committed to a culture that embraces evidence-based practice (EBP) and utilizes EBP as a guide for their policies and procedures. The focus on evidence-based practice can be seen as part of the hospital’s mission statement and local advertising campaign which states, “Evidence-based practice: The key to advancing quality and safety in healthcare.” While the hospital mission includes the statement: “…to be the healthcare center of choice, through superior clinical outcomes, evidence-based practice-driven protocols, and the advancement of practice utilizing formal and continuing education.”
The hospital leadership team has shared that they are beginning the process of applying for Magnet status as a healthcare facility. They have asked for volunteers to serve on a sub-committee to select a nursing theorist as a framework that will be used to guide nursing practice. You have been asked to research the various nursing theorists, and select two to present to the leadership team.
Instructions
From the list provided, select two nursing theorists. Prepare a presentation that compares and contrasts the two theories and make a recommendation for which theory would be a better fit for the facility. Please include the following in your presentation:
- Identify the two selected theorists and briefly summarize each theory.
- Compare and contrast the two selected theories.
- Formulate a recommendation for the theorist that best aligns to the facility.
Select two nursing theorists from the following list to compare and contrast:
- Jean Watson
- Patricia Benner
- Myra Estrin Levine
- Martha Rogers
- Dorothy Johnson
- Betty Neuman
- Imogene King
- Hildegard Peplau
- Margret Newman
- Nola Pender
- Rosemary Rizzo Parse
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Evidence-based practice is essential to providing quality healthcare outcomes, and many healthcare facilities are embracing it as a guiding principle. As a Registered Nurse, you have been tasked with researching nursing theorists to help guide nursing practice at a hospital that is committed to evidence-based practice. You must select two nursing theorists, compare and contrast their theories, and make a recommendation for which theory would be the best fit for the hospital.
Answer:
After researching various nursing theorists, two theorists that are recommended for the facility are Jean Watson and Patricia Benner.
Jean Watson’s theory of human caring emphasizes the importance of establishing a caring relationship between healthcare practitioners and patients to promote healing. Watson believes that caring should be central to healthcare, and it can be expressed through clinical competence and a humanistic attitude. She also emphasizes the importance of self-care for healthcare providers to prevent burnout and promote healthy interactions with patients.
On the other hand, Patricia Benner’s theory of novice to expert provides a framework for transitional learning and development of nursing practice. The theory describes five stages of nursing practice, including novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient, and expert. Benner argues that nursing practice should be developed through experiential learning and practical application.
When comparing and contrasting these two theories, it is clear that Watson’s theory is more patient-focused, while Benner’s theory is more practitioner-focused. Watson’s theory emphasizes the importance of establishing a caring relationship between healthcare providers and patients to promote healing, while Benner’s theory emphasizes the development of nursing practice through experiential learning.
Overall, for a hospital committed to evidence-based practice, it is recommended that the nursing theorist chosen should promote a patient-centered approach to care. Therefore, Jean Watson’s theory of human caring is recommended as the best fit for the facility. This theory aligns with the hospital’s mission statement of advancing quality and safety in healthcare and emphasizes the importance of clinical competence and a humanistic attitude.
