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ADVANTAGES OF NON-NURSING THEORIES

Mark Emil U. Bautista

Mariano Marcos State University

NRSG 240: Theoretical Foundations in Nursing

Prof. Judith P. Valenzuela

18 November 2020
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In common language, theory is a hunch is an untested hunch or a guess without evidence

to support it. However, scholars have a different definition about theory. It is a well-substantiated

explanation of an aspect of the natural world that can incorporate laws, hypotheses and facts

(American Museum of Natural History, n.d.). The concepts stated serves as the basis for the

knowledge structure of a particular field of practice based on observation and sometimes, it

explains the relationship between concepts.

In the field of nursing, a profession considered to be in its infancy stage compared to

medicine, theories have been developed in order to provide a rational bases for its practice and

be able to distinguish nursing from that of medicine.

The influence of non-nursing theories to nursing persists because of the borrowed

concepts of nursing from these theories. Scholars have assumed that nursing is a complement of

medicine. This assumption alone draws the conclusion that knowledge in this profession is not

derived exclusively from present nursing theories.

As nursing is a profession with different roles and not exclusively providing nursing,

knowledge in the different roles becomes imperative. As such, theories in different fields, as

building blocks of those particular fields is a must. Most of the nursing theories finds its origins

from non-nursing theories, understanding non-nursing theories will develop insight into the

concepts used in nursing theories.

In the field of clinical nursing, the use of non-nursing theories provides concepts that

supports the practice. The use of nursing theories alone will lend to be lacking when put into

application. A careful examination between nursing and non-nursing theories highlights nursing

models and their use in clinical interventions.

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Understanding of non-nursing theories helps the nurse in its day-to-day atmosphere. One

of the hallmarks of a good nurse is the use of ideas from non-nursing theories. To become a better

nurse and to do the job better, the nurse must utilize both nursing and non-nursing theories.

The nursing profession strives to be a distinguished as a unique profession; one that is

able to stand out among other professions. However, the use of non-nursing theories in its

knowledge building remains to be of significant importance. It has been established that the focus

of nursing is the patient or the person and not the disease, borrowed theories from various fields

specializing in human behavior and physiology is needed in order to provide a holistic nursing

care.
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References:

Alligood, M. R. (2014). Nursing theories and their works, 8th edition. Mosby: Missouri.

American Museum of Natural History (n.d.) What is a theory? Retrieved

fromhttps://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/darwin/evolution-today/what-is-a-theory