NU 500 Week 1 Discussion 1 Initial Post

INTRODUCTION

Your name and a description of your current job (If not currently employed, what are your employment expectations when you complete your program).

My name is Elvira, but my friends call me Vivi. I have been working in the healthcare industry for approximately 18 years. I worked in a community clinic for low-income families in the pediatric department, then internal medicine and women’s health as a Medical Assistant. Six years ago, I graduated from a technical school and received my nursing education, and have been practicing as an LPN. Two months ago, I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and will be transitioning to the RN role as a Nurse Resident at the University of Wisconsin Hospital this July 22nd. I currently work for the School District of Beloit in the Health Office for the summer months, and I also work at Rock Haven Nursing Home in Janesville as a pool nurse. My employment expectations when I complete the program is to work as a Family Nurse Practitioner in a hospital setting, preferably the ED. 

How do you see yourself applying knowledge from this course?

I see myself applying theoretical foundations that have been developed in nursing, as well as conceptual models that can be implemented to provide evidence based care.

Post a photo of yourself (self-portrait, family, or other picture that includes you). If the photo is not a self-portrait, describe where you are in the picture.

I like to visit my native land every other year; I am originally from Lima, Peru. In 2017, I visited the city of Arequipa. The place I am standing on is in the main Plaza, and it is known as La Plaza de Armas. This city is surrounded by volcanos. Arequipa city is known as the White City because all the building surrounding the plaza are white, as they were built from volcanic matter. Its most famous volcano is called Misty. I spent my days battling altitude sickness, and drinking Coca tea, which helped immensely.

THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE

Nursing researchers have argued that nurses are taught to value clinical skills over theoretical knowledge. With the focus on medical interventions, laboratory values, and nursing diagnoses, theory is often under-represented. This can cause nurses to react to nursing theory as having little or nothing to do with the profession of nursing. 

As you begin your graduate level nursing career, consider the following:

Do you agree with this assessment?

Yes, I do agree with the above statement. As nurses we are taught to focus on lab values, follow doctors’ orders, know our skills and advocate for our patients, but little interest is placed on nursing theories during the course of our nursing practice.

Based on your prior experiences, how much has theory been integrated into your nursing education?

When I attended a 2-year technical college, the nursing instructors definitely placed a higher emphasis on clinical practice and knowing our nursing skills, than nursing theories; but when I attended a 4-year university, nursing theories where introduced. There’s a big difference between learning these nursing theories while in school, and not applying them in practice. Even though Nursing Theories were introduced, it was not extensive. According to Sarah Colley, GRN, RN, there is a lack of agreement in professional literature on nursing theory, and this in turn confuses nurses causing them to dismiss theory altogether believing it is irrelevant to the nursing practice (Colley, 2003).

In your opinion, how might a greater theoretical awareness benefit your education at the graduate level?

Nursing theories are important as it helps us understand the patient and our care on a deeper level. Nursing theories can give nurses a sense of distinctiveness, as we contribute to the healthcare system. Providing a definition of nursing theory also helps us realize our purpose and part we play in the healthcare setting (Colley, 2003).

Reference

Colley, S. (2003). Nursing Theory: Its Importance to Practice. Nursing Standard. 17, 46, 33-37. Date of acceptance May 9, 2003. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/476c/7dd8dfe3077df67c8ee353a590db74d2da73.pdf

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