Writing Application of Theory Nursing Essays

An application of theory nursing essay is an academic paper where you apply a specific nursing theory or model to a real-life nursing situation, scenario, or topic. The purpose of this type of essay is to demonstrate your understanding of the theory or model and its practical implications in nursing practice.

Review: Application of Theory Nursing Essay Examples

• Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Cognitive Theory Nursing Essay Example
• Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory Nursing Essay Example
• Watson’s Person-Centered Care Theory Nursing Essay Example

General Format of an Application of Theory Nursing Essay

When writing an application of theory nursing essay, it is essential to follow a clear and organized format. While the specific requirements may vary depending on your academic institution or instructor’s guidelines, here is a general format you can follow:

1. Introduction:
   • Begin with a compelling introduction that provides background information on the topic and captures the reader’s attention.
   • State the purpose of your essay and introduce the theory or model you will be applying.
   • Provide a brief overview of the theory/model and its relevance to the topic.
2. Theory/Model Explanation:
   • Provide a more detailed explanation of the theory or model, including its core concepts, assumptions, and principles.
   • Describe the theorist or scholar associated with the theory/model and their contributions to nursing knowledge.
   • Explain how the theory/model relates to nursing practice and its significance in the field.
3. Application of Theory/Model:
   • Clearly state the specific aspects of your topic that will be analyzed through the theory/model.
   • Apply the theory/model to the selected aspects of your topic, providing examples, evidence, or case studies to support your analysis.
   • Demonstrate how the theory/model explains, predicts, or guides nursing practice, decision-making, or patient care in the context of your topic.
4. Evaluation and Critique:
   • Assess the strengths and limitations of the theory or model. Discuss any controversies, criticisms, or alternative perspectives associated with it.
   • Analyze the applicability of the theory/model to diverse populations, settings, or healthcare contexts.
   • Consider the implications of using the theory/model in nursing practice and any potential challenges or barriers.
5. Conclusion:
   • Summarize the key findings of your analysis, highlighting the insights gained from applying the theory/model.
   • Emphasize the significance of your findings and their implications for nursing practice, education, or research.
   • Conclude with a thought-provoking statement or recommendation related to the theory/model and its application in nursing.
6. References:
   • Ensure you properly cite and reference all sources used, following the required citation style (e.g., APA, MLA).
   • Include a list of references at the end of your essay, alphabetically listing all the sources cited in the text.

• Remember to adhere to any additional guidelines provided by your instructor, such as essay length, formatting requirements, or specific sections to include. Pay attention to grammar, clarity, and coherence throughout your essay, and proofread it before submission to ensure it is error-free and well-presented.
• By following this general format, you can effectively structure your application of theory nursing essay and present a comprehensive analysis of the theory or model in relation to your chosen topic.

Understanding Nursing Theories and Models

Nursing theories and models are frameworks that help guide and inform nursing practice. They provide a systematic way of understanding, analyzing, and explaining various aspects of nursing care, including the relationship between nurses and patients, the nursing process, and the delivery of healthcare services. These theories and models are developed by nursing theorists, scholars, and researchers who seek to advance the knowledge and understanding of nursing as a profession.

• Elements: Nursing theories and models typically consist of a set of concepts, principles, and assumptions that describe the nature of nursing, its goals, and its roles within the healthcare system.
• Purpose: They provide a foundation for nursing research, education, and the development of nursing interventions and best practices. By using these theories and models, nurses can enhance their critical thinking skills, improve patient outcomes, and promote evidence-based practice.

Common Nursing Theories and Models

There are several well-known nursing theories and models, including:

1. The Person-Centered Care Theory by Jean Watson: This theory emphasizes the importance of the nurse-patient relationship and the promotion of holistic care, focusing on the patient’s physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being.
2. The Adaptation Model by Sister Callista Roy: This model focuses on the patient’s adaptive responses to changes in their health and the environment, aiming to help patients achieve optimal adaptation and maintain their well-being.
3. The Health Promotion Model by Nola Pender: This model emphasizes the role of nurses in promoting and facilitating health behaviors and positive lifestyle changes, aiming to enhance overall well-being and prevent illness.
4. The Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory by Dorothea Orem: This theory focuses on the patient’s ability to perform self-care activities and the nurse’s role in assisting patients who are unable to meet their self-care needs.
5. The Transcultural Nursing Model by Madeleine Leininger: This model emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting cultural differences in nursing care, aiming to provide culturally congruent care that meets the unique needs of diverse patient populations.
6. The Theory of Human Caring by Jean Watson: This theory emphasizes the importance of the nurse’s caring relationship with the patient, focusing on the values of compassion, empathy, and therapeutic use of self to promote healing and well-being.
7. The Theory of Integral Nursing by Barbara Dossey: This model integrates various dimensions of nursing, including physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects, to provide holistic care that addresses the whole person.
8. The Theory of Chronic Sorrow by Georgene Gaskill Eakes, Mary Lermnann Burke, and Margaret A. Hainsworth: This theory explores the emotional and psychological responses of individuals living with chronic illness, aiming to support patients and their families in coping with ongoing grief and loss associated with their condition.
9. The Theory of Interpersonal Relations by Hildegard Peplau: This theory focuses on the nurse-patient relationship as a therapeutic tool, emphasizing communication, trust-building, and mutual understanding to promote patient growth and well-being.
10. The Theory of Goal Attainment by Imogene M. King: This theory centers around the interaction between the nurse and the patient to achieve mutually set goals. It emphasizes the importance of communication, role negotiation, and understanding of patient needs.
11. The Theory of Bureaucratic Caring by Marilyn A. Ray: This theory addresses the challenges nurses face in a bureaucratic healthcare system and emphasizes the importance of maintaining caring relationships despite organizational constraints.
12. The Neuman Systems Model by Betty Neuman: This model views individuals as open systems in interaction with their environment. It focuses on maintaining a balance between the patient’s physiological, psychological, sociocultural, and developmental variables to promote wellness.
13. The Theory of Cultural Care Diversity and Universality by Madeleine Leininger: This theory explores the impact of culture on healthcare and highlights the need for culturally congruent care that respects and integrates the patient’s cultural beliefs, values, and practices.
14. The Theory of Science of Unitary Human Beings by Martha E. Rogers: This theory emphasizes the unity of the human being with their environment and views health as a process of continuous, mutual interaction between the person and their surroundings.
15. The Conservation Model by Myra Estrin Levine: This model focuses on the preservation of a person’s energy and resources to promote health and adaptation. It emphasizes the importance of assessing and maintaining the patient’s physiological, psychological, and social integrity.
16. The Novice to Expert Theory by Patricia Benner: This theory describes the stages of nursing proficiency, from novice to expert, based on the acquisition of clinical knowledge, critical thinking skills, and experience. It emphasizes the importance of practical wisdom and intuitive decision-making in nursing practice.
17. The Theory of Psychosocial Development by Erik Erikson: This theory outlines the psychosocial stages of human development from infancy to old age. It emphasizes the impact of social and psychological factors on an individual’s growth and development, and how these factors influence their overall well-being.
18. Culture Care Theory by Madeleine Leininger: This theory focuses on the impact of culture on health, illness, and nursing care. It emphasizes the need for culturally congruent care that considers the patient’s cultural beliefs, values, and practices.
19. Transitions Theory by Afaf Meleis: This theory explores the various transitions individuals experience throughout their lives, such as illness, relocation, or role changes. It highlights the importance of supporting individuals in navigating these transitions to promote their well-being.
20. Sociocultural Cognitive Theory by Lev Vygotsky: This theory emphasizes the role of social interactions, cultural influences, and cognitive development in learning and knowledge acquisition. It highlights the importance of the social context in shaping an individual’s understanding and behavior.

• These are just a few examples, as there are many other nursing theories and models that have been developed over the years.
• Each theory or model offers a unique perspective and framework for evaluating different aspects of nursing practice, such as understanding and delivering nursing care, nurse-patient relationship, human development, cultural competence, skill acquisition, and the impact of the environment on health and well-being.
• Nurses can choose to apply one or more theories or models based on their practice setting, patient population, and personal philosophy of nursing.

How to Apply a Theory or Model in a Nursing Essay

In an application of theory nursing essay, you will typically:

1. Select a nursing theory or model: Choose a nursing theory or model that is relevant to your topic or nursing situation. It could be a theory related to patient care, nursing education, leadership, or any other aspect of nursing practice.
2. Describe the theory/model: Provide a comprehensive explanation of the chosen theory or model, including its key concepts, assumptions, and principles. Discuss the background and the theorist or scholar associated with it.
3. Introduce the nursing situation or topic: Clearly define the nursing situation, scenario, or topic you will be analyzing. It could be a case study, a clinical scenario, a healthcare policy issue, or any other context relevant to nursing practice.
4. Apply the theory/model: Apply the selected theory or model to the nursing situation or topic. Analyze how the theory/model can be used to understand, explain, or guide nursing interventions, decision-making, or patient care in that particular context.
5. Provide examples and evidence: Support your analysis by providing specific examples, case studies, or empirical evidence that demonstrate the application of the theory/model in the nursing situation. These examples should illustrate how the theory/model influences nursing practice and contributes to improved patient outcomes or healthcare delivery.
6. Critically evaluate the theory/model: Assess the strengths and limitations of the theory or model in the given nursing context. Discuss any controversies, criticisms, or alternative perspectives related to the theory/model. Consider its applicability to diverse patient populations, settings, or healthcare systems.
7. Reflect on the implications: Reflect on the implications of applying the theory/model in nursing practice. Discuss how it can inform and guide nursing interventions, promote evidence-based practice, enhance patient-centered care, or address healthcare challenges in the specific nursing situation or topic.
8. Conclude and summarize: Summarize the key findings and insights gained from applying the theory/model. Restate the significance of the theory/model in relation to the nursing situation or topic. Conclude with a thoughtful reflection or recommendation related to the theory/model and its practical implications in nursing.

• Remember to properly cite and reference the theory or model you are using, following the appropriate citation style (e.g., APA, MLA). Additionally, ensure that your essay flows coherently and logically, with clear connections between the theory/model, your arguments, and the topic at hand.
• By following these steps, you can effectively apply a theory or model in your nursing essay, enhancing the depth and quality of your analysis and demonstrating your understanding of the theoretical foundations of nursing practice.