Question
| Select three theories and compare the definition of person/human being. Comment regarding which definition best fits with your own thinking. Provide 3 current peer-reviewed references, within the last 5 years. 1. The Principles and Practice of Nursing 2. Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort 3. Benner’s Model of Skill Acquisition in Nursing – best fits with my way of thinking |
Answer
Theory Comparison
Nursing theories define a person or a human being in order to determine the best practice of nursing care that should be accorded to them. There are differences in the definition of human beings depending on the theoretical background that determine the concepts of the theory. Three theories that include: The Principles and Practice of Nursing, Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort, and Benner’s Model of Skill Acquisition in nursing all define human beings differently and thus recommend nursing paradigms that suit their definitions.
In her theory, the principle and practice of nursing,Henderson defines human being as an individual that needs help in order to attain health and independence or a peaceful death (Masters, 2014). According to the theory, the mind and the body cannot be separated. In addition, the patient and their family are considered as a unit (Masters, 2014). Therefore when providing healthcare, it is important to care of all the needs of the patient. The nurse needs to concentrate on the body, mind, as well as the family of the patient. The aim is to achieve a holistic care for the patient.
Katherine Kalcaba views a human being as an individual, family or community that requires health care. According to the theory, the goal of nursing should be to provide comfort for the patient through satisfying the physical, psychospiritual, environmental, and sociocultural needs of a patient (Kolcaba, 2015). These aspects help in the achievement of relief, ease, and transcendence.
The last theory, Benner’s Model of Skill Acquisition, defines human beings as a self-interpreting being. According to Patricia Benner, human beings do not come into the world when their world is already predefined (Flott& Linden, 2016). Instead, their life gets defined in the course of living their lives. This definition best fits in my way of thinking because it focuses on health as a lived experience. Therefore, in the provision of nursing care, nurses ought to consider the past, present and the future to determine how it influences the current situation.
References
Flott, E. A., & Linden, L. (2016). The clinical learning environment in nursing education: a concept analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 72(3), 501-513.
Kolcaba, K. A. T. H. A. R. I. N. E. (2015). Katherine Kolcaba’s comfort theory. Nursing Theories and Nursing Practice, 381-391.
Masters, K. (2014). Nursing theories: A framework for professional practice. London: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
