The Relationship of Learning Theories to Nursing Practice - Assignment Example

? Two Learning Theories The essay aims to address a two-fold objective to wit to describe two learning theories; and (2) to determine the relationship of learning theories to nursing practice. Two Learning Theories Introduction Learning theories originated from psychology and involves changed in thoughts, feelings, attitudes, or behavior. To learn means to experience a lifelong process of acquiring information and skills from the people around us (Butts & Rich, 2011, p. 203). Nurses utilized various learning theories that they used in the health care setting as part of their continuous professional education. Two of these theories are the behaviorist theory and the humanist theory. Behaviorist theory view learning as the product of the stimulus conditions (S) and the responses (R) after the exposure to the stimulus. Due to the relationship between the stimulus and the responses, it is most often referred to as the S-R Model of Learning (Bastable, 2008, p. 54). Proponents of the behaviorist theory believe that behavior can be learned or unlearned by modifying the stimulus in the environment or the responses to the stimulus. This type of learning acquires learning through practical application, requiring less thinking and emotional affectations. Behaviorist theory created a significant impact on education and behavior change through classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Classical conditioning was identified by Ivan Pavlov and sometimes referred to as the Pavlovian conditioning or respondent conditioning (Butts& Rich, 2011, p. 207). In classical conditoining, there is an introduction of a neutral stimulus to the unconditioned stimulus and unconditioned response. The neutral stimulus has no connection with the unconditioned stimulus and response. Learning occurs when the neutral stimulus becomes associated with the unconditioned stimulus and response and becomes the conditioned stimulus producing a conditioned response. Meanwhile, operant conditioning was popularized by B.F. Skinner and focused more on the response and on the individual. Skinner proposed types of reinforcement (positive, negative, nonreinforcement, punishment) to repeat a certain response under similar stimulus conditions and for learning and change of behavior to occur(Butts& Rich, 2011, p. 210). On the other hand, humanistic learning theory focuses on the person and emphasized the importance of feelings over thoughts(Butts& Rich, 2011, p. 229). Learning takes place when people are given the chance to express their feelings, making them an active participant in the learning process. The concept of hierarchy of needs by Abraham Maslow has strengthened the humanistic theory as well as the construct of self-concept by Rogers which identified individual need for unconditional positive self-regard (Butts& Rich, 2011, p. 230). Humanistic theory’smain advantage over other learning theories is its holistic approach and openness in education and health care field. Learning Theories and Nursing Practice Learning theories is crucial to nursing practice. Evidences of interconnection are found between patients and families who wanted to acquire information on how to adjust to a particular medical condition, in students getting hold of information and skills needed to become a nurse, or in health care professionals designing effective teaching plan for patients. All of these demonstrate relationship of learning theories with the nursing practice. Learning theories serve as frameworks for health care professionals on planning learning outcomes.The construction of different learning theories enables the health professionals to understand how the introduction of knowledge can affect an individual’s feeling, thoughts, and behavior. Learning theories were also linked to the health counseling, work organization, and hospital’s management, marketing, and advertising (Bastable, 2008, p. 73). Nurses are often the professionals involved in health education of patients. That is why they always faced the challenge of designing and implementing educational plan that promote wellness. In addition to the relationship of learning theories to nursing practice, learning theories are also evident in individual, group, and community that need help in solving different problems related to unhealthy habits, emotions, and behavior. Implications of Learning Theories in Planning Educational Program The nature of different learning theories affects nursing education and practice in terms of planning the educational program for the learner. Behaviorist theory focuses on the external environment of the learner and at some point, may not meet the various needs of learners. This is because behaviorist theory lacks flexibility and planning educational program based on behaviorist theory must be applied when teaching topics pertaining to procedures. However, emphasis must be given on the acquisition of basic skills (Mastrian, McGonigle, Mahan& Bixler, 2011, p. 77). In planning an educational program, it is important to note the basic level facts or concepts that must be mastered by the learner. Behaviorist theory is the most effective method for this educational program plan and may be presented in the form of return demonstration, practice exercises, and drills. In fact, learning goals and objectives comes from behaviorist theory and are called behavioral objectives(Mastrian, McGonigle, Mahan& Bixler, 2011, p. 77). The behavioral objectives are critical in designing and delivering instructions among learners. Meanwhile, the humanistic theory which focus on the learner and affective dimension of learning allows the students to have a freedom of choice over the selection tasks and activities. Since this is learner-centered, learner can choose what topics to learn whenever possible because motivation to learn comes from what you feel. The humanistic theory also enables the learners to set realistic goals within their values, feelings, and capabilities. Utilizing humanistic theory, the educator does not only develop learning skills but interpersonal relationships as well. One of the core approaches of humanistic theory is openness and may involve cooperative learning such as group works that develop social and affective skills. Educators in the humanistic theory act as facilitator and role model of the behavior they teach and promote a positive learning environment by sharing themselves with the student while continuously working on becoming better individuals. Planning an educational program is difficult since the utilization of a single theory may impose areas of weakness in the process of teaching. It is essential that when instructing learners about information or skills, a combination of the different learning theories would be helpful strengthening motivation and promoting behavioral change. Examples of Learning Theories Applied in the Clinical Setting Application of learning theories varies in the clinical setting. Observe how behaviorist theory is applied in the clinical setting of pediatric patients. Children are at risk for accidents and sometimes brought to the hospital. A child without much experience and knowledge about the hospital and the nurse (neutral stimulus) may be admitted for medical interventions. While in the hospital, the child may receive medications via injection (unconditioned stimulus) and will feel pain (unconditioned response). After the child’s first admission, the succeeding hospitalizations and possible encounters with nurses (conditioned stimulus) will make the child associate it with the pain related to injection (conditioned response) and later on will cry upon seeing the nurse or even the hospital. In this case, patients associate painful or unpleasant experiences to the health care settings and professionals. Analyzing how behaviorist theory is applied in health care setting, health professionals may develop a teaching plan among staff nurses that will alleviate the child’s anxiety such as wearing child-friendly uniformsor making the environment itself not frightening for the children. Humanistic theory, on the other hand, can be seen on health professionals’ daily interaction with the patient, particularly initiating a therapeutic communication. Understanding the needs of the patients and family requires the building of rapport. Rapport can be gained by being emotionally at turned to patients and families. Applying humanistic theory, the nurse determine the patient’s feeling rather than their thoughts because humanists believe that it is the person’s feeling that affect behavior and not cognitions. By having a therapeutic communication with the patient, the nurse can understand that the patient’s non-compliance with treatment was because of the feeling that she will die soon and she doesn’t want to be a burden anymore. In this case, the nurse will build rapport with the client by understanding her feelings and planning nursing interventions based on what she feels. After counseling the patient, the nurse may involve the family members in the conversation to promote positive self-concept and adherence to treatment regimen. There are several examples of learning theories applied in the clinical setting aside from the scenarios stated earlier. It is important that health providers understand the different learning theories in order to recognize and apply these frameworks in patient care. Conclusion Learning is a lifelong process. Nurses utilized various learning theories in the field of health care such as behaviorist theory and humanist theory. Behaviorist theory is referred to as the S-R Model of Learning. Behavior can be learned or unlearned by modifying the stimulus in the environment or the responses to the stimulus and acquires learning through practical application. Behaviorist theory is famous for its two perspectives: classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Ivan Pavlov identified the classical conditioning and demonstrates learned behavior through the introduction of a neutral stimulus to the unconditioned stimulus and unconditioned response which later on becomes the conditioned stimulus producing a conditioned response. Operant conditioning was proposed by B.F. Skinner, focusing more on the response and on the individual and the application of reinforcements. However, behaviorist theory lacks flexibility and may not meet various needs of learners. Thus, it is only applicable in procedural topics. Unlike behaviorist that focuses on the external environment, humanistic theory focuses on the internal environment - the individual’s feelings. Learning, in the humanistic theory, happens when people were given the chance to express their feelings. Humanistic theory values openness and holistic approach. Humanistic theory allows freedom of choice among learners, sets realistic goals, develops social and affective skills, and allows educators to act as facilitator directly involve in the betterment of the learners. Learning theories are significantly related to nursing practice by serving as a framework for health care professionals on planning learning outcomes and understanding individual’s feeling, thoughts, and behavior. Nurses are always involved in health education and learning of patients. Examples of learning theories applied in clinical setting can be seen in pediatric departments or in a therapeutic communication. References: Bastable, S. (2008). Applying Learning Theories to Health Care Practice. Nurse as Educator: Principles of Teaching and Learning for Nursing Practice (3rd ed.) (p. 51-84). Massachusetts: Jones & Bartlett Publishers, LLC. Butts, J.B. & Rich, K.L. (2011). Educational and Learning Theories. Philosophies and Theories for Advanced Nursing Practice (p. 203-246). Massachusetts: Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC. Mastrian, K.G., McGonigle, D., Mahan, W.L. & Bixler, B. (2011). Overview of Learning Theories. Integrating Technology in Nursing Education: Tools for the Knowledge Era (p. 75-90). Massachusetts: Jones & Bartlett Publishers, LLC. Read More