Nursing_Theory

If one were to try to decipher the underpinnings of any profession, one should only have to look at the curriculum in which builds and creates members of said profession. For the profession of nursing, The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is the professional body who establishes the national standards of nursing education at a bachelorette and advanced practice level. The AACN recently released several guidelines called “Essentials” (2011), which set forth the pillars of nursing education to ensure graduates are prepared for their future in healthcare. These guidelines set forth the ideas and concepts that are valued in the profession of nursing. The Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing listed 10 essentials in which the master’s prepared nurses education should be shaped. The facets of these essentials are many; however, one which is repeatedly seen throughout the guidelines is theory. According to the AACN (2011), a nurse must utilize and master leadership theory, change theory, ethical theory, systems theory, theories of policy making, learning theory, and teaching theory. Theory is included in seven of the 10 essentials, which leads one to see the value placed on theory in the education of nurses. One thing that is certain in healthcare is that it is always advancing. Technology is always changing, allowing for new knowledge to be discovered. Research is the means in which we acquire new knowledge. According to Roussel (2009), “Each result of nursing research adds tested facts to nursing theory that can be learned by nursing students and active practitioners” (p. 35). When evaluating recently funded research projects in the United States, it can be determined that areas of interest are varied. For instance, on their website, the Emergency Nurses Association identified the research priorities to be work place violence, emergency nursing professional practice issues, crowding/boarding, and patient safety. By searching the projects funded by the National Institute for Nursing Research, it is seen that a focus has been put on genetics, care for the aging population, and care for the underserved. Although theory is not outwardly evident in these currently funded research programs, it is the knowledge we learn from this research that creates new theories of practice. In that sense, theory does not change research nor practice, but the other way around, research changes knowledge and therefore theories and practice. When one looks outside of education the value placed on theory becomes more obscure. Although most practicing nurses have been educated with a background in theory, many do not consider theory as a basis of their practice. Decisions are drawn from experience and training, the theory behind these decisions is not at the forefront in the nurse’s mind. However, as the AACN (2008) stated “nursing practice is based on knowledge, theory, and research” (p. 7). Theoretical concepts of nursing are the basis of clinical practice. Theory is essential in the development of nursing as a profession. It fosters critical thinking and creates discourse among professionals and academics. Although, many practicing nurses do not claim to value theory in their daily practice, it is the cornerstone of the nursing profession. They are just not cognizant of their daily use of nursing theory.   References American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2008). The essentials of baccalaureate education for professional nursing practice. Retrieved September 8, 2011 from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/education/pdf/BaccEsstials08.pdf American Association of the Colleges of Nursing. (2011). The essentials of master’s education in nursing. Retrieved September 8, 2011 from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/pdf/DraftMastEssentials.pdf Roussell, L.A., & Swansburg, R.C. (2009). Concepts and theories guiding professional practice. In P. Donnelly & R. Schuster (Eds.)Management and leadership for nurse administrators (pp. 18-48). Sudbury: Jones and Bartlett. Research priorities for emergency nursing. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.ena.org/ienr/priorities/Pages/Default.aspx Funded NINR grants/collaborative activities. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.ninr.nih.gov/ResearchAndFunding/FundedNinrGrantsCollaborativeActivities