| Learning Objective #1: Identify similarities in theory use among graduate student tracks | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Discuss the implications of theory-guided practice on delivery of care |
Objective: The purpose of this project was to identify the use of theory (nursing theory) as a guide for practice among Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator and Nurse Administrator students in role preparation in a graduate program.
Subjects,Setting and Methodology: Students enrolled in three role preparation tracks were asked to respond to open ended questions regarding their use of theory in the practice arena. (n= 30, n= 28, n= 24 n= 18, n=15)
Findings: Statistical comparison among tracks revealed that no track preferred the holistic model more than another. When asked if they perceived their practice to be theory based prior to graduate role preparation , the overwhelming majority (91%) indicated that they used no theory at all to guide their practice. Some (8%) indicated that they were aware of nursing theory from previous exposure, and gave an array of nursing theories they thought were appropriate in their preference area. It was interesting to note that after exposure to a course where students focused on direct application of theory to the practice setting, students responded to the question of "Why use theory to guide practice?" in several ways. Groups of data reflected similar types of reasons: (1) helped me give better care (quality), (2) nursing is different (than medical care), (3) treat the whole person, (4) better focus for intervention strategies and (5) higher level of assessment (and thinking).
Implications: The student responses collected over 5 successive classes reflected a trend toward theory preference in the simultaneity paradigm. Contrary to the assumption that Nurse Practitioner students would prefer the medical model, a nursing theory directed healthcare model was preferred when the nursing theory provided interventions based on a holistic model that included building trust, promoting positive patient orientation, promoting patient control, affirming and promoting patient's strengths and setting mutual goals.
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Back to 14th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
10-12 July 2003