The Theory Of Nursing Theory - 1570 Words

Importance of Theory Fran Lauriha Chamberlain College of nursing Importance of Theory There are many ideas about theory in nursing. The definition of nursing theory is a group of concepts that can be tested, changed or used to guide research (McEwen Willis, 2014). This writer was exposed to theory in under-graduate classes but in the last four years of practice hasn’t put a lot of thought into nursing theory. Although, knowing and understanding that nursing theory is part of daily nursing practice. This paper will review the importance of nursing theory. It will also focus on Patricia Benner’s Novice to Expert Theory. Importance of Theory Many nurse theorists have shaped the way nurses practice today by defining our practice†¦show more content†¦Nursing adapts theory to practice, by shaping our own practice, our work environment, specialty and education (Jones, 2014). Novice to Expert Theory The theory that was selected for this paper is Patricia Benner’s Novice to Expert Theory. This theory was selected because of the impact it can have on nursing leadership. The Emergency Nurses Association’s position statement on leadership says that emergency department leaders should be personally engaged in professional growth as they advance from novice to expert through life- long learning, mentoring and classroom experience (ENA, 2012). There are five stages that Benner developed for theory. The stages that a nurse moves through are: novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient, and expert (Drumm, 2013). The novice nurse are nurses that still need told what to do. The advanced beginner begins to practice based on principles (From novice to expert, 2013). Advanced beginner is the nurse who has practiced for two to three years and is beginning to be more aware of long term goals (From novice to expert, 2013). The proficient nurse sees the process in its entirety and improves in their decision making skills (From novice to expert, 2013). The expert nurse has experience and understand fully how to make decisions (From novice to expert, 2013). In each stage the nurse gains clinical experience. The four concepts of the