Natural Sciences and Nursing Theories

Natural Sciences in Nursing

• Natural sciences are also known as empirical sciences, logical positivism, or experimental sciences
• They include physics, chemistry, biology, and earth science
• Evidence-based medicine and nursing uses these sciences
• Random controlled trials are a key method
• Quantitative empirical scientific methods are used
• Key attributes of experimental sciences include testability, reliability, and definitiveness/precision

Nursing Theories

• Nursing metaparadigm: human beings, health, environment, and nursing
• Grand theories: broad, abstract, complex frameworks for nursing
• Middle-range theories: narrower scope than grand theories
• Situational theories: specific to a situation; consider culture, politics, and individual characteristics

Philosophy of Science

• Continental (European): Focuses on human experience (phenomenology, hermeneutics, critical social theory, feminism, structuralism, post-structuralism, postmodernism)
• Analytical (outside Europe): Uses logic and rational discourse (positivism, empiricism, instrumentalism, pragmatism, rationalism)

Conceptual Models

• Overarching frameworks with assumptions; not directly testable
• Examples: Johnson's behavioral systems model, King's interacting systems framework, Levine's conservation model, Neuman's systems model, Orem's self-care framework, Rogers' science of unitary human beings, Roy's adaptation model, Watson's caring model
• Explain relationships between metaparadigm concepts in nursing

Nursing Patterns of Knowing

• Interconnected aspects for holistic patient care
• Four patterns: empiric, ethical, personal, aesthetic
• Emancipatory: social justice, reducing disparities
• Use patterns to understand clinical situations, education, and research

Theory-Practice Gap

• Some believe theory is irrelevant to practice
• Evidence-based practice in nursing uses theory to guide action
• Sometimes theories need to be developed or adapted to provide evidence for action
• The translation of theories into practice can take considerable time

Translational Research

• Transforms research findings into action
• Determines conditions, costs, and resources to move from theory to practice
• Helps improve patient outcomes and quicker, more impactful, assessment and intervention tools
• Traditionally takes ~17 years; interest in shortening this process growing

Empirical Theories

• Descriptive: Describes existing data, insights into the past
• Predictive: Uses statistical models to predict future outcomes, often used with interventions
• Prescriptive: Recommends specific actions to achieve optimal results
• Explanatory: Explains underlying reasons behind phenomena by identifying cause-and-effect relationships

Risk of Interdisciplinary Theories in Nursing

• Potential loss of nursing's unique identity and knowledge base
• Communication challenges due to varying terminology and frameworks
• Difficulty integrating concepts from different disciplines
• Lack of disciplinary expertise
• Potential for misapplication

Metaparadigm of Nursing

• Comprehensive approach to patient care considering four concepts: person, environment, health, nursing

Utility of Theories

• Provide frameworks for informed decisions, evidence-based practice, role understanding, quality care evaluation, and improved patient outcomes

Learning Theories

• Describe, explain, and predict learning processes
• Include external environment, internal processes, passive/active learning, and emotions
• Behaviorist: classical conditioning, reinforcement
• Cognitive: perceptions, reasoning, memory, active learning, schemas
• Psychodynamic: personality development, motivations
• Humanistic: growth, self-development, creativity, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change)

• People are at different stages in adopting health behaviors (e.g., substance use, smoking cessation).
• Stages: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance

Peplau's Interpersonal Relations Theory

• Middle-range theory moving away from the medical model.
• Emphasizes therapeutic use of self, milieu, and well-being outcomes
• Nurse-patient roles: stranger, resource, teacher, leader, surrogate, counselor
• Stages of personality development (infancy through late childhood)
• Relationship development phases: preorientation, orientation, working, resolution

Florence Nightingale's Model

• Environmental model of care
• Control of environmental components: cleanliness, comfort
• Nutrition and stimulation for patients
• Observation and recording of patient behavior

Roy's Adaptation Model

• Individual as an adaptive system interacting with stimuli
• Adaptation problems occur when unable to respond to stimuli
• Elements of nursing (person, environment, health, goals, and assessment)
• Six steps in the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, goal setting, intervention, evaluation) using general systems theory, with emphasis on energy and interrelated systems

Parse's Theory of Human Becoming

• Focuses on meaning, rhythmicity, transcendence for personal growth
• Key concepts and postulates: illimitability, paradox, freedom, mystery
• Active listening, autonomy respecting, partnership building

Watson's Human Caring Framework

• Caring is a nursing domain distinct from curing
• Embodies physical and spiritual aspects
• Moral commitment to dignity, wholeness, caring, healing
• Components: affirmation, connection, unity, caring/healing modalities

Kolcaba's Comfort Theory (Palliative Care)

• Framework for assessing and addressing comfort in palliative care
• Three forms of comfort: relief, ease, transcendence
• Four contexts of comfort: physical, psychospiritual, environmental, sociocultural

Health Belief Model

• Beliefs about susceptibility and benefits influence preventative health actions; readiness is based on six criteria
• Criteria: perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, cues to action, self-efficacy

Lewin's Process of Change

• Unfreeze, change, refreeze model for managing organizational change

Cultural Competence

• Cultures are similar despite differences; individual and family belong to several subcultures.
• Cultural awareness improves self-awareness
• Every client encounter is a cultural encounter
• Concepts include community, family, person, health

Feminism

• Care-focused: emphasizes feminine moral reasoning
• Power-focused: concerned with women's social standing
• Importance in nursing: majority of nurses are women; care is viewed as feminine. Helps all nurses understand and call attention to caregiving power

Health Equity

• Health disparities: incidence/prevalence/morbidity/mortality rates compared to general population
• Social determinants of health model: explains health disparities, and seeks to achieve equity. HEART interventions (health education, empowerment, addressing social determinants, risk factor reduction).

Explore the intersection of natural sciences and nursing theories in this quiz. Learn about the fundamental principles of empirical sciences and their application in evidence-based nursing practice. Delve into the different nursing theories and the philosophy of science influencing the field.