should advanced practice nursing be guided by theory?
Application of Nursing Theories in Practice and Research
should advanced practice nursing be guided by theory? Why or why not?
All advanced practice nursing should be guided by theory. The main purpose of the theory aspect is improving practice which is attained through positively influencing the health status and quality of life of the patients (Saleh, 2018). Theory tends to provide foundational knowledge of care concepts that enables the advanced practice nurses to explain the actions that they intend to make to enhance the wellbeing of the patients and the reasons why the actions are undertaken. This is essential in the practice since it grants the APN the chance to articulate evidence that helps in the justification of the methodologies employed in practice.
What is a theory-practice gap and does a theory-practice gap exist today in advanced practice nursing?
The theory-practice gap refers to the separation witnessed between the theoretical knowledge and the practical application in the nursing field and it is usually associated with adverse consequences. That is, it is the gap between what should happen and what happens. The theory-practice gap still exists today in advanced practice nursing. The practicing nurses tend to use the language of nursing theory rarely unless accrediting bodies mandate them (Greenway, 2018). Some of the reasons for the observed phenomenon include the fact that the practitioners view nursing theory and practice as two separate activities and since theory contains concepts that should be explained before being employed in practice
Can DNP/APN prepared nurses help to invigorate nursing theory guided practice and research? How can/will they?
DNP/APN prepared nurses can help to invigorate nursing theory-guided practice and research. DNPs’ core competencies are centered on organizational systems, leadership, healthcare finance, health policy, and the integration of evidence-based practices (Edwards, et al., 2018). Using these core competencies, the practitioners can enhance the application of nursing theory in practice and research. For instance, as leaders, DNPs can ensure that the other healthcare practitioners employ the relevant theoretical backgrounds to support methodologies adopted during practice and when conducting research. The practitioners also help in educating the next generation of nurses. They can ensure that future professionals have the adequate theoretical background to govern their practices and research.
How should non-nursing theory influence nursing science research and advanced practice?
Non-nursing theories tend to influence nursing science research and advanced practice. The non-nursing theories are also referred to as borrowed theories and entail knowledge developed by other disciplines such as psychology which are adapted to the discipline of nursing. The borrowed theories and concepts should be redefined and resynthesized to ensure their effective application in the nursing field (Nwozichi, Olorunfemi, & Madu, 2021). Non-nursing theories should be employed as the basis for the formulation of nursing concepts that enhance the quality of healthcare services that are availed to the patients. This is since the borrowed theories allow nursing professionals to interpret, expand, add and validate various aspects within the discipline.
What role should DNP prepared nurses play in the integration of nursing theory in research and advanced practice? How can/will they do this? What preparation do they need?
DNP-prepared nurses play a critical role in the integration of nursing theory in advanced practice and research. The Doctor of Nursing Practice tends to represent the highest level of preparation in nursing practice and focuses on innovative and evidence-based practice which reflects the application of credible research findings (Trautman, et al., 2018). Since the DNP practitioners are prepared to deal with complex issues facing the patients and healthcare, they should consider employing theoretical aspects when making critical decisions to support the methodologies adopted. They are required to have advanced knowledge relating to the theories and their implications to research and practice.
Reflection and Application
Ensuring that I employ the nursing theories while making critical decisions regarding the provision of care to patients will help me to close the theory-practice gap. The theories should govern my nursing behaviors such as patient education, caring, and implementation of innovative and creative interventions. I will consider employing Peplau’s Theory of Interpersonal Relations who focuses on the development of a therapeutic relationship between a nursing practitioner and the client (Hagerty, et al., 2017). The theory is also applicable in the scholarly DNP project since it can help me ensure that I incorporate aspects that aim at enhancing the nurse-patient relationship.
References
Edwards, N., Coddington, J., Erler, C., & Kirkpatrick, J. (2018). The Impact of the Role of Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurses on Healthcare and Leadership. Medical Research Archives, 6(4), 1-11.
Greenway, K. (2018). What is a Theory-Practice Gap? An exploration of the concept. Nurse Education in Practice, 34.
Hagerty, T. A., Samuels, W., Norcini-Pala, A., & Gigliotti, E. (2017). Peplau’s Theory of Interpersonal Relations: An Alternate Factor Structure for Patient Experience Data? Sage Journals, 160-167.
Nwozichi, C. U., Olorunfemi, O., & Madu, A. M. (2021). Exploring issues in theory development in nursing: Insights from literature. Indian Joural of Continueing Nursing Education, 22(1), 3-9.
Saleh, U. S. (2018). Theory guided practice in nursing. Journal of Nursing Research and Practice, 2(1), 18.
Trautman, D. E., Idzik, S., Hammersla, M., & Rosseter, R. (2018). Advancing Scholarship through Translational Research: The Role of PhD and DNP Prepared Nurses. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 23.