Introduction
Nursing theory is “a creative structuring of concepts that can result in effective healthcare practices” (Jarrin, 2012, p. 15). Health practitioners can use such theories to analyze evidence-based knowledge in medical care. Nurses use different theories in order to offer quality care to their patients. The application of such theories can result in positive outcomes. For instance, nurses tend to support the needs of patients from diverse backgrounds. Madeleine Leininger offers a powerful theory that can result in culturally-sensitive medical practice. The theory has become critical towards supporting the health needs of diverse populations. This knowledge explains why the use of different nursing theories can result in the best health outcomes. The targeted theory for this paper is Martha Rogers’ “Science of Unitary Beings”. This grand nursing theory has the potential to transform the health needs of many populations. This essay begins by analyzing the importance of this theory to the nursing field. The paper will go further to describe the key relationships and concepts associated with the above theory. Finally, the paper will discuss how the theory views nursing leadership and education.
Importance of Nursing Theory
Human beings encounter different health problems and challenges. Such problems affect different cultural groups or populations. Nursing theories offer powerful concepts, assumptions, and propositions that can predict various health outcomes. Medical practitioners can “use such theories to describe and predict the phenomenon of nursing” (Santos & Lima-Basto, 2014, p. 786). Nursing theories make it easier for medical practitioners to generate new ideas that can improve the quality of care. Nurses should examine the benefits of such theories in order improve their competencies. Medical practitioners can use different theories in an attempt to offer the best patient care. The practice can also improve the level of interaction between patients and nurses. Medical practitioners and educators should use such theories whenever undertaking new researches.
The purpose of nursing theory is to establish a powerful knowledge that can support the health needs of many populations. A sense of uniformity is derived from such theories. These models also offer useful concepts and ideas that can improve the nature of nursing. The wider nursing profession can benefit a lot from these theories. Nursing theory is studied in order to acquire new skills that can support the health needs of many communities. Nursing theories offer new ideas that can produce better health practices. This practice will ensure every patient gets the best care (Santos & Lima-Basto, 2014).
Researchers are currently undertaking more studies in order to improve the nature of nursing. Every theory has something meaningful to offer. For example, Martha Rogers’ “Science of Unitary Beings” explains how every person can benefit from effective healthcare practices. The theory encourages nurses to organize their knowledge in order to support every targeted patient. Nursing also combines both science and art in order to improve the health outcomes of many human beings. Madeleine Leininger’s “Culture Care Theory” also explains why medical practitioners should consider the socio-cultural aspects of their patients (Jarrin, 2012). The practice will ensure every patient receives culturally-competent care. Students should therefore use different nursing theories in order to become competent providers of quality care. The practice will eventually improve the nature of patient care.
Summary of Key Concepts of the Nursing Theory
I have selected Martha Rogers’ theory because it presents powerful guidelines that can support the nature of nursing. The theory also describes how “patients can get the best health outcomes even if they have different diseases in their bodies” (Fawcett, 2003, p. 45). Rogers presents powerful concepts that can support the future of this profession. The theory identifies unique practices and approaches that can support the health needs of many patients. The theory embraces the use of evidence-based ideas. It also offers powerful descriptions that can result in better patient care. Medical practitioners should combine different models in order to improve the quality of healthcare. The meta-paradigms of nursing show how caregivers can support their patients using Rogers’ model.
Martha Rogers’ “Science of Unitary Beings” explains why nurses should treat human beings as systems. According to the theorist, such systems cannot live without the surrounding environment. Rogers uses various concepts to describe this theory. To begin with, the “concept of energy field describes the relationship existing between a person and the environment” (Fawcett, 2003, p. 48). According to the theory, openness is “results in energy exchanges between humans and their environments” (Fawcett, 2003, p. 49). The theory uses “the term pan dimensionality to explain how energy fields occur between humans and their surrounding environments” (Fawcett, 2003, p. 47).
That being the case, nurses should use the best concepts to re-pattern the energy fields of their clients. The re-patterning process should therefore focus on the best health outcomes. Homodynamic also results in “resonance, integrality, and helicy” (Fawcett, 2003, p. 49). These terms refer to “the continuous relationships that occur between the energy fields of human beings and environments” (Fawcett, 2003, p. 49). Such “energy fields are usually integrated but different from each other” (Fawcett, 2003, p. 49).
The above concepts make it easier for the theorist to define the four meta-paradigms of nursing. Rogers “treats people as indivisible, pan-dimensional, irreducible energy fields” (Fawcett, 2003, p. 49). Such unitary beings can be “described by analyzing or summarizing their parts because they are unified wholes” (Fawcett, 2003, p. 48). The second paradigm is the environment. According to the theory, the environment is an energy field that is integral in nature. This “environment has the potential to manifest the experiences of unitary beings” (Fawcett, 2003, p. 46).
According to Santos and Lima-Basto (2014, p. 782), “illness and health are inseparable”. Medical practitioners should therefore focus on the best practices in order to offer quality care. Finally, nursing focuses on the use of both science and art in order to serve humanity. Nursing should use most of the above concepts in an attempt to support mankind.
How the Theory Views Nursing Education and Leadership
This theory offers powerful arguments and guidelines towards effective nursing practice. To begin with, the theory encourages nurses to undertake new studies. Nursing Education (NE) is a meaningful field that offers new medical concepts. Such concepts can support many patients. Health professionals can use Rogers’ theory to acquire new skills. They should also embrace new training sessions. The practice will result in evidence-based practices. This approach will ensure more nurses focus on the changing needs of their patients (Jarrin, 2012). This fact means that new diseases and illnesses are experienced every day.
Medical experts should be able to examine the energy fields of the targeted patients. This knowledge will eventually produce new skills that can re-pattern the energy fields of many patients. Medical leaders should also empower their nurses using this theory. This practice has been common in my workplace. For example, our leader has been using the theory to mentor every caregiver. He encourages every team to embrace the best practices. Teamwork has become a powerful practice in the institution (Jarrin, 2012).
I have also been using this theory to achieve my goals as a health practitioner. For example, I recently encouraged one of my patients to embrace the best health behaviors. My patient was suffering from a terminal disease. I encouraged him to undertake more exercises, eat balanced diets, and interact with more patients with the same condition (Santos & Lima-Basto, 2014). The patient managed to lead a quality life. I used the best leadership competencies to empower him. My patient is currently focusing on his career goals. This example shows clearly that Martha Rogers’ theory is applicable in every nursing practice.
Conclusion
Nursing theories are powerful sources of knowledge that can transform the nature of healthcare. Every theory can be used to improve the nature of medical practice. Martha Rogers’ “Science of Unitary Beings” presents useful insights that can make nursing a holistic approach. This theory can transform the health situations of many populations. I have also understood why health practitioners should undertake new studies and researches. The strategy makes nursing an evidence-based practice that can support the needs of many communities. Every “healthcare practice should be an art and science” (Santos & Lima-Basto, 2014, p. 787). It is also agreeable that “human beings can have good lives even if they have diseases in their bodies” (Jarrin, 2012, p. 19).
Reference List
Fawcett, J. (2003). The Nurse Theorist: 21st Century Updates: Martha E. Rogers. Nursing Science Quarterly, 16(1), 44-51.
Jarrin, O. (2012). The Integrality of Situated Caring in Nursing and the Environment. ANS Advanced Nursing Science, 31(1), 14-24.
Santos, M., & Lima-Basto, M. (2014). A Multi-paradigm Model for a Holistic Nursing. International Journal of Caring Sciences, 7(3), 781-791.
