Reply to my peers’ responses

Begin reviewing and replying to peer postings/responses. Participate in the discussion by asking a question, providing a statement of clarification, providing viewpoints with a rationale, challenging aspects of the discussion, or indicating relationships between two or more lines of reasoning in the discussion.

As in all assignments, cite your sources in your work and provide references for the citations in APA format. You may use this APA Citation Helper as a convenient reference for properly citing resources.

Task

Consider one of the nursing theories, conceptual frameworks, or mid-range theories presented in the textbook and class.

·  Which philosophy/conceptual framework/theory/middle-range theory describes nursing the way you think about it?

·  What is your rationale for selecting this theory/framework?

·  Discuss how you could utilize the philosophy/conceptual framework/theory/middle-range theory to organize your thoughts for critical thinking and decision making in nursing practice.

Peer #1

Hildegard Peplau’s Interpersonal Relations Theory

Peplau’s interpersonal relations theory is the mid-range theory that captures what nursing ought to be. In this regard, it is the assertion that nursing is a therapeutic interpersonal process where nurses work with others to make health possible (Alligood, 2018, pg. 45). It is, therefore, the expectation that nurses work together with their patients, understand their health needs, and work together to ensure that the patients go back to their health status.

           The rationale for the choice of this theory is because it appreciates that nursing is an interpersonal process; an assertion that is coherent with what the principle of evidence and patient-centered care expects from nurses. The exchange between the nurse and the patient is what allows a nurse to access critical information which in turn helps a nurse to realign the care towards securing better care for the patient. Moreover, the interpersonal relations theory also expects the nurse-patient relationship should be a learning experience (Smith, 2019, pg. 78). This is a phenomenon that is coherent with the fact that nursing skills need to be constantly improved. As a result, the nurses must keep on learning about health needs as this ultimately helps improve relevant skills by nurses.

           Consequently, Peplau’s interpersonal relations theory demands that a nurse ensure that securing of health for the patient is done in a manner where the patient is an active party to the treatment process decisions. Therefore, my critical thinking will be comprised of both professional expertise together with the insights collected from the patient. This will ensure that the final decision is sensitive to both the principle of evidence-based practice and the patient’s taste and preferences when it comes to health services. As a result, from this approach to critical thinking, the final decision-making process will also be sensitive to the basic expectation of a nurse prioritizing the interest of the patient and the special needs and expectations that the patients have issues in terms of medical attention he or she needs.

References

Alligood, M. R. (2018). Nursing theorists and their work. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier.

Smith, M. (2019). Nursing Theories and Practice. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company.

Peer #2

I think of nursing mostly in ways similar to Hildegard Peplau’s “Theory of Interpersonal Relations in Nursing” (Black, 2017, p. 185).  Her theory was initially designed for psychiatric patients.  However, her work has become applicable to all nurse-patient relationships.  The basis of this theory is divided into four phases, orientation, identification, exploitation, and resolution.  The orientation phase includes defining the problem and the individual roles.  The identification phase is about clarifying the expectations of the relationship.  For example, when a patient arrives in the hospital, the problem needs to be identified and then the patient needs to be aware of what needs to be done.  The exploitation phase occurs when the patient takes complete use of his or her available services offered by the nurse.  The final stage is the resolution phase.  This phase consists of the problem being resulted and the end of the relationship; the patient is discharged from the hospital.  These phases do not occur without the previous one; they are interdependent, overlapping, and must be completed in a proper nurse-patient relationship (Peplau, 1991, pgs. 18-42).

I chose this theory because it is a full cycle of the nurse-patient relationship.  I believe we all must be aware of the situation, be educated, and utilize all available personnel to properly complete a hospital stay.  This theory can also be relevant to other hospital staff, not solely nurses.  For example, a case manager is assigned to this patient’s case.  The case manager will inform the patient of what his or her job will entail, the two will formulate a plan for discharge, the patient has the ability to take advantage of what the case manager is offering, and then the patient is discharged and can call back if they have questions. 

Hildegard Peplau’s “Theory of Interpersonal Relations in Nursing” is a wonderfully coordinated set of roles and processes for the nurse-patient relationship.  From admission to discharge, this theory speaks to me as a nurse.  If we are able to understand the patient’s background and other influencing factors during the orientation phase, we can modify how we respond during the identification phase.  By doing so, the patient will be able to better utilize the exploitation phase.  Thus, the care of the patients is better and the outcomes are improved (Gonzalez, 2019).

References

Black, B. P. (2017).  Professional nursing: Concepts & challenges (8th ed.). St. Louis, 

            MO: Elsevier.

Gonzalez, A. (2019, August 24). Hildegard Peplau: Interpersonal Relations Theory Guide. Retrieved June 23, 2020, from https://nurseslabs.com/hildegard-peplaus-interpersonal-relations-theory/

Peplau, H. E. (1991). Interpersonal relations in nursing  : A conceptual frame of 

            reference for psychodynamic nursing (Reprint). Springer Pub Co.