Contribution of Theories to Nursing Research, Practice, Education,Management, and Administration - Essay Example

"Contribution of Theories to Nursing Research, Practice, Education, Management, and Administration" is an outstanding example of a paper on care.
The theories provide a framework that guides the practice of nursing.  In research, it serves as the existing body of knowledge about the practice of nursing which research can build upon.  In nursing education, a theory provides the general propositions that help explain concepts.  In management and administration, the theory provides a systematic approach to managing patients.  In sum, nursing theory serves as a foundation, guide, explanation, and a system to help nursing practitioners in providing and administering care.

Of all the nursing theories I am familiar with, there two of them that I believe are most relevant to family nurse practitioners.  These are the theories of Betty Neuman and Jean Watson.  Betty Neuman's theory posits that to help families and individuals, a purposeful intervention should be made to ensure their optimum health and well-being (Butts, 2011).  Jean Watson on the other hand theorized that promoting and restoring health is a product of an interpersonal process that brings about the interventions that meet human needs (Potter, 1998).  

Neuman’s theory reflects on our heightened consciousness about our health to take care of our body by doing preventive measures such as eating healthy and doing regular exercise.  Part of it is the early intervention of physicians should any health issue are suspected to arise in the family.  The classic example Neuman’s theory applied in nursing care practice is taking care of the family through regular check-ups of the members of the family.  This way, health issues are immediately remedied before they go out of hand through the early intervention of a physician.  I am personally a believer of this theory that purposeful intervention can bring about effective care especially if it is done early.  I have seen cases where care is only administered when the case is already malignant.  Of course, purposeful intervention is still effective but had this been done early, such illness would have been prevented and the person would have lived a healthier life.  This is important in family nursing to maintain the health and well-being of family members.

Jean Watson is relevant to family nursing practice by involving the interpersonal process of care.  After all, the patient also needs to get well not only physically but also emotionally and psychologically and the interaction of those around the patient helps restore clients to their health.  Watson acknowledges that healing is not only a function of medicines, but also of the environment, people, and social interaction.  I always remember this philosophy in mind because this philosophy is often forgotten in taking care of patients because health care professionals seem to be too preoccupied with attending to the body by giving it medicines, food, and exercise.  We forgot that part of wellness and even helpful in restoring wellness is the social aspect of care where the patient will feel good and have the determination to be well because of the support of the people around him or her.