Theoretical Foundations of Nursing
Describe the theoretical foundations of nursing and how they relate to current practices.
This reflection is comprised of 2 sections.
Reflect on the following. Complete your reflection by responding to all prompts.
Theoretical Foundations
Using your experience in nursing practice, think about how each of the following terms applies to you:
Phenomena
Concept
Preposition
Assumptions
Implicit bias
Explicit bias
Identify a nursing theory and describe how it is applied in your current clinical practice.
Ways of Knowing and Nursing Profession
Barbara Carper’s influence on nursing practice is significant. As all theorists do, she has a perspective through which she views nursing care and practice.
Reflect on how Barbara Carper views the following patterns of knowledge:
Empirical knowledge (the science)
Esthetic knowledge (the art)
Ethical knowing (what constitutes good actions for that patient)
Personal knowing (nurse‒patient relationship)
Determine how the use of Carper’s Ways of Knowing are applied in your place of practice. Cite a practice scenario in which you could or do apply the theory to patient care.
Reflecting on self-experience, either by working in the health care field or as a patient, answer the following questions:
What exposure have you had to nursing theory?
What experience do you have applying theory in practice?
What do you hope to get out of this class?
Textbook
McKenna, H., Pajnkihar, M., Murphy, F. (2014). Fundamentals of nursing models, theories, and practice. (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Read Ch. 2, “Overview of Watson’s Theory (10 Caritas),” of Caring Science, Mindful Practice
Watch “TEDTalks Abraham Verghese: A Doctor’s Touch” Consider how the talk is similar to Watson’s theory of human caring.
