Nowadays nursing is an important profession that requires specialists both to have compassion for people suffering from health problems and be highly skilled and knowledgeable. Researchers note that during the 20th century, crucial changes were brought to the sphere (Aligood, 2017). Nursing was recognized as a science, and instead of a traditional model of learning from more experienced nurses, a science-based approach to the training of the would-be specialists in this occupation was implemented (Aligood, 2017). Although working on the improvement of practical skills only with little attention paid to theory might be regarded as the right way to become a professional, theoretical concepts are crucial for the nursing practice.
Knowing the theory is an indispensable prerequisite for a person to be successful as a nurse. According to Aligood (2017), “not only is theory essential for the existence of nursing as an academic discipline, it is also vital to the practice of professional nursing” (p. 7). Indeed, theoretical ideas in the sphere of nursing form a great base for practice because they give specialists useful recommendations and directions and stimulate critical thinking (Aligood, 2017).
Being good at theory can help a nurse to make the right decision on how to communicate with patients in a particular situation or how to act in an emergency case. Sometimes, these abilities of a specialist might play a key role in a patient’s restoration to health and strength or even save lives. Hence, it is possible to note that the skills motivated by theory have a significant part in a nurse’s effectiveness, which, in its turn, is crucial to public health safeguarding (Smith & Liehr, 2018). For this reason, learning theoretical concepts is an integral part of nurses’ education that has a great influence on their practice.
Throughout his or her career, a specialist in the field under analysis should also pay attention to theory in order to be able to address the needs of the changing world. In fact, medicine is constantly evolving, new technologies and methods of treatment are being implemented, and it is very important for a nurse to be informed about them (Aligood, 2017). For many situations, a general understanding of processes and ideas, not just an ability to conduct specific operations, is required (Ray, 2020).
Such comprehension can only be achieved if a person has acquired high-level knowledge of the theoretical framework. Using a system of assumptions, ideas, and hypotheses provided by theory a specialist can speed up his or her professional development and easily get used to the new techniques and approaches in medicine (Ray, 2020). Hence, a nurse’s possessing theoretical information and getting more knowledge might be vital to their long and successful career and fulfillment of professional responsibilities.
To sum up, it is important to press the point that the profession of a nurse has changed significantly over the last century. In the education of nurses, the focus has been shifted from the experience of previous generations of specialists to the scientific approach and knowledge. Indeed, theoretical ideas, concepts, structures, and hypotheses are crucial to the practice of a nurse. The reason is that knowing and understanding theory serves as a basis for practice and is to be applied to patient care. Besides, it helps a professional to address the changing needs of the modern world and have a long career.
References
Alligood, M. R. (2017). Nursing theorists and their work (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
Ray, L. (2020). Nursing theories and their impact on the nursing profession. Web.
Smith, M. J., & Liehr, P. R. (Eds.). (2018). Middle range theory for nursing (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.