NU 500 Unit 2 Discussion – Types of Theory

Unit 2 Discussion – Types of Theory

There are a number of methods for classifying theory in nursing.  These include classification based on range/scope or abstractness (metatheory, grand, middle-range, and practice) and type or purpose of the theory (descriptive, explanatory, predictive, and prescriptive).

Theory Related to Practice/Scope & Purpose

• Identify one theory that relate to your area of practice.
• Discuss the type of the selected theory according to scope and purpose.
• Provide an example of how the selected theory can be applied to your area of practice.  The example should include core elements of the theory and demonstrate its practical application.
• Be sure to supplement your discussion with your personal and professional experiences.

This week, I would like to use to use practice theory as it relates to my current area of practice and incorporate explanatory theory into my discussion. As said in previous posts, I work as an RN in a Urology clinic. In Urology, we deal greatly with cancer, patients and families, and the type of pain associated with each type of cancer. Bladder cancer and bladder cancer treatments cause patients a great deal of symptoms and pain. Explanatory theory can help us understand why those symptoms occur, and the relationship between the cancer and the symptoms. Explanatory theory, as said in the textbook, can help us relate different concepts to one another, and prove the relationship between two things (McEwen & Wills, 2019, p. 76). In this case, bladder cancer and the symptoms associated with it.

Related Experience/Application

When bladder cancers are administered in the clinic, as a nurse, I get a lot of calls with concerns of blood in the urine, burning with urination, abdominal/bladder pain, urinary frequency and urgency, and general fatigue. Prior to the patient even coming into the clinic for treatments, we get a lot of calls of potential side effects from these bladder cancer treatments. These patients are afraid and helping them understand the relationship and basically the mechanism of action of the medication, will hopefully put their and their family’s’ minds at ease. Patients are at a very vulnerable time of their life and using the practice theory explanatory theory combination has been useful for this obstacle. I think it is helpful in this case that practice is simplified and uses few concepts (McEwen et al., 2019, p. 75), for it is easier for a nurse to explain to a patient and their family in a way they can understand.

References

McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2019). Theoretical basis for nursing (5th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins