Applicability and Relevance of Nursing Theories - Essay Example

Nursing Theory Introduction: This paper is a discussion of Sister Callista Roy and John Broadus Watson. More specifically the discussion examines their nursing theories and the applicability and relevancy to nursing. The two had many of the same views and tenets about nursing and many if them were conflicting and this paper will present a discussion of both including a comparison and contrast of their nursing theories. Sister Callista Roy is best known for the Roy Adaptation Model. This model Roy came up with her theory and model after working in pediatric nursing. “Dr. Roy had read a little about the concept of adaptation and was impressed with the resiliency of children she had cared for in pediatrics.” Dixon 1999 (p290) The theory can be thought of in minimal terms as “the process and outcome whereby the thinking and feeling person uses conscious awareness and choice to create human and environmental integration." (Roy, internet) This is different from her previous definition of adaptation, which stated that adaptation is "a positive response that promotes survival, growth, reproduction, and mastery." (Roy, internet). John Broadus Watson was an American behavioral psychologist; He was a professor and director of the psychological laboratory at Johns Hopkins. “Watson emphasized the study of observable behavior, rejecting introspection and theories of the unconscious mind.” Buckley 1989. He created the school of psychology known as behaviorism, in which behavior is described in terms of physiological responses to stimuli. Watson’s work influenced B. F. Skinner in his groundbreaking studies of operant conditioning and his thoughts and tenets have been adapted to nursing models. Buckley 1989. Descriptions of Theories/Models: The Roy Adaptation Model has both scientific and philosophical aspects. The scientific aspect of the model Is systems of matter and energy progress to higher levels of complex self-organization · Consciousness and meaning are constitutive of person and environment integration · Awareness of self and environment is rooted in thinking and feeling · Humans by their decisions are accountable for the integration of creative processes · Thinking and feeling mediate human action · System relationships include acceptance, protection, and fostering of interdependence · Persons and the earth have common patterns and integral relationships · Persons and environment transformations are crated in human consciousness · Integration of human and environment meanings results in adaptation Roy 1970 (p45) Dixon 1999 (p292) The philosophical context of the model is: · Persons have mutual relationships with the world and God · Human meaning is rooted in an omega point convergence of the universe · God is intimately revealed in the diversity of creation and is the common destiny of creation · Persons use human creative abilities of awareness, enlightenment, and faith · Persons are accountable for the processes of deriving, sustaining, and transforming the universe Roy 1970 (p45) Dixon 1999 (p292) John B. Watson was a behaviorist and therefore he emphasized the study of observable behavior. His nursing model, rejected introspection &theories of the unconscious mind. The scientific and philosophical aspects of his nursing model were similar because of this. He described behavior in terms of terms of physiological responses to stimuli. Barone et al 1996 (p 64) His theory and nursing model was primarily concerned with the increasing or decreasing of the likelihood of given response by manipulating the consequences of the response. Although Watson’s model is not very large on the philosophical tenets he did have a legitimate nursing model that is still implemented and taught in many schools of nursing to this day. Arguments Although both Roy’s and Watson’s models are widely accepted and taught there are some who argue that these models are not feasible. In regard to Roy’s model there are arguments that contend this model is in a sense to liberal to work. By that it is meant that the model is too personalized and requires a one on one implementation of the model for it to work. Those who reject this model feel that it is not feasible for a nurse with other duties and obligations to have the time to render this type of aide to patients. Although the model is workable it is difficult to use this model if the nurse has more than one patient. Those who argue against the Roy model do so because of the fact that a nurse with a group of patients certainly would not have time to administer this type of care. If the nurse were able to implement this model with their patients they simply would not have the time to fully implement t on all of the patients. On the other hand those that argue against Watson’s model feel it is too empirical. They feel that Watson’s model is more concerned with the data than providing patients with personal care. Although the argument against Roy’s model is that it is so personalized there would not be time to implement it fully on the patients and the argument against Watson’s is that the model’s main concern is empirical. both models are good models and both can be successful. In light of a review of the arguments a combination or blend of the two models might work best. Analysis of Models: Roy’s model can be thought of as an adaptive system with coping processes. (Roy 1970 (p 44) When thinking of it in these terms it can be explained at a whole comprised of parts as can be seen in the Gestalt theory. The functions of the model can be seen as a unity for some purpose. The model includes people as individuals or in groups (families, organizations, communities, nations, and society as a whole). Dixon 1999 (p 293) This model can be seen as an adaptive system with cognator and regulator subsystems acting to maintain adaptation in the four adaptive modes: physiologic-physical, self-concept-group identity, role function, and interdependence. Dixon 1990 (p46) When analyzing the Watson model the subsystems and the roles of individuals are not as heavily emphasized. Rather the behaviors of an individual or a group are the main concern of this model by Watson. His model is concerned with reactions and responses to stimuli and how these responses can benefit the nursing system. Watson’s model professes that behavior can be changed by changing the environment. He felt that patients are taught to control their own environments, to maintain desirable behavior and to prevent undesirable behavior from occurring and having Influence on them or their situation. Mastall 1998 (p 64) Comparison and Contrast: The two models are systems of types of behaviors. They both have a strong scientific aspect to them. However, Watson’s is more empirical and lacks the philosophical tenets that Roy’s model does. The adaptive nursing model was created with children in mind and perhaps that is why the model and its approaches are more ‘soft’ in approach. Both of the models are taught in nursing schools and both are popular theories. Many that have used the models have found success both with Roy’s and with Watson’s. One theory is better than the other is. The approaches are different but the individuals that implement the models choose the one that will succeed best for them in that situation. The two theories have even been combined in the past. The adaptive model seems to be more patient related while Watson’s is a much more clinical model that can be seen as an experiment when it is implemented. Each of the theories does have the patient’s best interest at heart and does attempt to make the quality of care that the patient receives of the best quality. Conclusion: In conclusion it can be said that both Roy’s and Watson’s nursing model theories are popular. There are a number of different nursing model theories out there and to choose one model is difficult. As well, it is not wise to adhere to the tenets of just one model because sometimes aspects from one nursing model theory can be implemented with another. Patient care is the top priority and the best way to provide this care is what is important not the model used. Models are used to provide a basis and a foundation to base your patient care on. It is wise to choose a model that has been successful and holds some of the tenets and philosophies that you do. This model cam is used as a basis for the care you provide and can be improved upon along the way. It is important to become with familiar with all of the different models. Even if you do not agree with all of them, you will gain new insight and new philosophies. Both Roy and Watson have something to contribute to nursing through their theories and models of nursing. References Barone, S. H., & Roy, C. (1996). The Roy adaptation model in research: Rehabilitation nursing. In P. H. Walker & B. M. Neuman (Eds.), Blueprint for use of nursing models: Education, research, practice and administration (pp. 64-87). New York: National League for Nursing. Buckley, Kerry W, 1989 Mechanical Man: John Broadus Watson and the Beginnings of Behaviorism, New York: Guilford Press. Dixon, E. L. (1999). Community health nursing practice and the Roy Adaptation Model. Public Health Nursing, 16, 290-300. Mastall, M. F., & Hammond, H. (1980). Analysis and expansion of the Roy adaptation model: A contribution to holistic nursing. Advances in Nursing Science, 2(4), 71-81 Roy, C. (1970). Adaptation: A conceptual framework for nursing. Nursing Outlook, 18(3), 42-45. Tiedeman, M. E. (1996). Roy’s adaptation model. In J. J. Fitzpatrick & A. L. Whall (Eds.), Conceptual models of nursing: Analysis and application (3rd ed., pp. 153-181). Stamford, CT: Appleton & Lange. Read More