Nursing theory is heavily influenced by Florence Nightingale’s pioneering work, which significantly influenced the modern nursing definition.
Nightingale’s Environmental Theory stated that nursing “ought to signify the proper use of fresh air, light, warmth, cleanliness, quiet, and the proper selection and administration of diet – all at the least expense of vital power to the patient.”
By identifying potential risk factors for illness or conditions that would exacerbate an illness and potentially lead to death, Nightingale saw the importance of a patient’s environment to their overall health and well-being. As a result, healthcare professionals, including nurses, began to treat patients differently and the start of population health and public health is seen.
5 Environmental Factors
In Florence Nightingale’s Environmental Theory, she identified five environmental factors:
- Fresh air
- Pure water
- Efficient drainage
- Cleanliness or sanitation
- Light or direct sunlight
These factors were essential to decrease the spread of contagious diseases and decreasing mortality and morbidity.
While Florence Nightingale may have introduced the first nursing theory in 1860, it is still highly relevant today. In countries without fresh air, pure water, efficient drainage, cleanliness or sanitation, and light or direct sunlight, morbidity and mortality are increased.
What are Nursing Theories Used For?
Nursing theories provide the foundation for nursing practice and are essential to the care of patients. Here are some of the ways nursing theory is used:
1. Policies and Procedures
Academic hospitals and Magnet hospitals will consistently ensure that nursing theories are incorporated into their policies and procedures to ensure the use of best practices.
2. Daily Nursing Duties
Most nurses and institutions employ a variety of nursing theories rather than just one theory in their everyday practice. Most do this unknowingly. Nursing theories help bedside nurses evaluate patient care and base nursing interventions on the evaluation of the findings.
3. Decision Making
The theories can also provide nurses with the rationale to make certain decisions.
An example of a nursing theory in use is seen in the care of a Jehovah’s Witnesses patient who does not believe in blood transfusions. While the patient may need a blood transfusion, Dorothea Orem’s Self-Care theory provides nurses with a solid basis for assisting their patients and giving them the opportunity to express independence and control in caring for themselves. While the nurse may not agree with the patient’s decision not to receive a blood transfusion, Orem’s theory suggests the importance of allowing the patient to make the decision and respecting it as their own choice.
The integration of nursing theory is often not as obvious as in the example above. However, nurses and nursing students need to understand and respect the importance of nursing theories and their impact on modern-day nursing and healthcare.