Nursing Theory Development - Essay Example

Discussion

Over a period of one hundred years beginning the early 1900’s various researches have been conducted from as early as 1915 with the objective of making major improvements in the nursing field. Discoveries and scientific innovations have been carried out to promote efficacy and efficiency in service provision in the nursing field.

In history, nursing has been carried out per se carried by every family as they struggle to take care of their sick family members in their homes. In the late 1920’ nursing services were mostly provided by the church as well other charity centers; the majority of the nurses in these centers were women, however, the development of nursing among women was hindered by gender biases and social class (Meleis 2007).

After World War II in 1940, a variety of changes emerged in the field of nursing which saw the massive entry of women into nursing practice and in the military. In the early 1960s, the stature of nursing rose and a shift from of the apprenticeship model of learning nursing in the hospital take place with major learning institutions meant for learning nurses established specifically meant for nursing; for instance: Colleges, Universities, and Schools.

 Extensive researches and studies were also conducted in the late 1960s which promoted the facilitated the aspect of nursing as a unique field and independent body. Dynamic theories were also developed at the beginning of the 1970s by renowned theorists like Callista Ray in order to promote the utilization of developed nursing knowledge (Meleis 2007).

Moreover, the period between 1980 and 1990 involved studies that focused specifically on the clinical results as well as evidence-based nursing practices and activities. In 1985, research in the field of nursing was facilitated by the establishment of the National Institute of Nursing and Research. Another change occurred in the late 1990s when qualitative research practices were introduced in the field of nursing in order to enhance the creation of more skills and knowledge.

In the contemporary world, research in nursing and the various improvements that are being made exhibit progressive variations, and advanced researches are being conducted in higher levels of education such as Doctoral and Masters Level (AAHN n.d).

There are various theories that have been developed with the objective of making different improvements in the field of nursing. These theories also show the relationship between various dimensions of nursing for instance: The Environmental Theory that was developed by Florence N to provide the explanations of the environmental components that affect both the nurses and the patients. This theory is imperative in that it promotes a holistic approach whereby service provision to the patient is done according to the consideration of all the possible factors that may affect the nurse and the patient from the environment (Tomey et al 2006).

Another theory is the Inter-personal Relations Model which based on the psychodynamic aspects of nursing. It was developed by Hildegard Peplau who posited that the success in the provision of efficient nursing services can be achieved through a proper comprehension of a person’s psycho-social behaviors. Consequently, the topology of the 21 nursing problems which states the challenges ascribed to nursing and requires that nurses possess proper problem-solving skills especially the 21 problems mentioned in this theory. Technological developments and the need for better health care require continuous innovations and developments being carried out to improve health. These theories, therefore, have to undergo continuous improvements overtime (Tomey et al 2006).