Borrowed Theories Guiding Practice

Posted by Winnie Melda on November 19th, 2018

 

Question: Choose a borrowed theory and apply its framework to an advanced nursing issue (i.e., hostility in the workplace, instituting bedside reporting, and shared leadership).

            The nursing profession does not operate in isolation but depends on other disciplines in guiding the practice as well as making clinical decisions. Every profession ought to have a particular focus that shows the subject of the discipline in which it forms the basis of theory used in the profession (McEwen & Wills, 2010). Nursing profession uses borrowed theories from other disciplines in behavioral sciences, social sciences, and learning theories that are essential in the nursing practice. They address some issues that influence nursing in a better way than using the nursing theories in isolation. The Essay provides a discussion of the application of the learning theories in enhancing knowledge on shared leadership among the nursing staff.

            Learning theories are essential in explaining the processes of how individuals understand information and how they perform a skill. Learning theories provide a basis for developing an appropriate learning and teaching environment (Schunk, 2012). Thus, it is easy to make choices having an understanding of the underlying reasons. The framework for the learning theories describes information assimilation methods and also the effective ways of presenting the information to the patient. The theory guides how nurses interact with other staff and also with the patients.

            The applicable learning theory in enhancing knowledge on shared leadership among the nursing staff is social cognitive. The basis of the theory is the fact that people learn by watching others thereby enabling them to understand the underlying task. Nursing leadership requires that the working staff act in an acceptable way in line with the practice guidelines. It calls for shared leadership in which every staff member is responsible for their practice settings (Kocolowski, 2010). The best method to introduce the culture of shared leadership is the use of social cognitive theory. The development of responsible conduct by the nurses is influenced by the progressive interaction of the behavior, environment, and cognition. For instance, a nurse, who observes the leader perform their duties as required, influences their conduct when handling a patient due to cognition.  The leader provides a conducive environment to improve on nursing care and in return influences the behavior of the nurse in their role of a registered nurse.

            Many people have a tradition of following the behavior of the leader. Hence, they develop the shared leadership over a progressive application of the strategy of learning how to be responsible. In the social cognitive learning theory, self-efficacy is an important consideration. The nursing staff is likely to work towards the achievement of the set goals.  Shared leadership is a result of all the nursing staff members taking responsibility and the realization that they have to achieve the set goals at an individual level (Kocolowski, 2010). According to the social cognitive theory, learners tend to work hard to achieve the set targets. It makes them develop the willingness to deliver in their learning environment (Schunk, 2012). The scenario is similar to the nursing profession in which the health care professionals work on the set goals. They ensure that they are responsible for their practice settings thereby enhancing shared leadership.

            The application of learning theories in clinical practice helps to offer guidance on the roles performed by an advanced nurse practitioner. The issue of shared leadership enables the nursing professionals to be responsible for their actions and can be acquired through the application of social cognitive theory.

References

Kocolowski, M. D. (2010). Shared leadership: Is it time for a change. Emerging Leadership          Journeys, 3(1), 22-32.

McEwen, M. & Wills, E. (2010). The theoretical basis for nursing (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA:       Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

Schunk, D. (2012). Learning theories: An educational perspective (5th ed.). Columbus, OH:          Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall.

 
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Winnie Melda

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Winnie Melda
Joined: December 7th, 2017
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