Search online for a nursing research article on a nursing topic that interests you. Write a 2 page paper addressing the following: 1. Explain the Nursing Theory represented by the journal article. 2. Determine if the theory was a grand, middle-range, or situation-specific nursing theory. Discuss. 2. Summarize the findings of the article.
Title: Nursing Theory Analysis: Application in Clinical Research
Introduction:
Nursing theories provide a framework for understanding and implementing the nursing practice. They guide nurses in decision-making and shape the delivery of care. This paper aims to analyze a nursing research article to identify the nursing theory represented, and determine the classification of the theory. Furthermore, the paper will summarize the key findings of the article, highlighting the implications for nursing practice.
Summary of the Findings:
The selected article, titled “Effectiveness of a Behavioural Intervention on Stress and Coping Among ICU Nurses,” examines the impact of a Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CBI) on stress and coping among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses. The study aimed to address the growing concern regarding nurse burnout in high-stress environments, such as ICUs. The findings indicated that the CBI intervention significantly reduced stress levels and improved coping mechanisms among ICU nurses, demonstrating its potential effectiveness in promoting nurses’ mental well-being.
Nursing Theory Representation:
The nursing theory represented in this study is the Stress and Coping Theory. This theory, developed by Lazarus and Folkman (1984), emphasizes the dynamic relationship between stress and an individual’s coping mechanisms. It posits that stress is a result of a person’s appraisal of a situation and their perceived ability to cope. The theory focuses on the cognitive and emotional processes involved in a person’s experience of stress and their subsequent coping strategies. In the selected research article, the Stress and Coping Theory is applied to understand the impact of the CBI intervention on ICU nurses’ stress levels and coping mechanisms.
Classification of the Nursing Theory:
The Stress and Coping Theory can be categorized as a middle-range nursing theory. Middle-range theories are narrower in scope than grand theories but are more specific and applicable to clinical settings. They provide guidance for specific nursing practice areas and offer frameworks for understanding and addressing specific nursing phenomena. The Stress and Coping Theory falls into this category as it pertains specifically to the interaction between stress and coping mechanisms, which is relevant to the experiences of ICU nurses in high-stress environments. It provides a theoretical framework through which interventions, like the CBI in this study, can be designed and evaluated to mitigate stress and enhance coping mechanisms among nurses.
Discussion:
Nursing theories can be divided into three classifications: grand theories, middle-range theories, and situation-specific theories. Grand theories are broad in scope and aim to explain the entire discipline of nursing. They provide a foundation for nursing practice but may prove difficult to apply directly in clinical settings due to their abstract nature. Situation-specific theories, on the other hand, are highly specific to a particular clinical situation and offer limited transferability to other practice areas.
Middle-range theories, like the Stress and Coping Theory, strike a balance between grand theories and situation-specific theories. They have more narrow scopes and are focused on specific aspects of nursing care, making them more applicable to clinical practice. These theories bridge the gap between research and practice by providing practical frameworks that guide nursing interventions and research studies.
In the selected article, the Stress and Coping Theory serves as a valuable framework for evaluating the impact of the CBI intervention on ICU nurses’ stress levels and coping mechanisms. By utilizing a middle-range theory, the researchers were able to identify specific aspects of stress and coping relevant to the nursing practice in ICUs, leading to the development of an intervention tailored to meet the unique needs of these healthcare professionals.
Conclusion:
This paper analyzed a nursing research article that explored the effectiveness of a Cognitive Behavioral Intervention on stress and coping among ICU nurses. The article applied the Stress and Coping Theory to guide the study’s design and interpretation of findings. The Stress and Coping Theory, classified as a middle-range nursing theory, accentuates the relationship between stress and coping mechanisms, providing a relevant framework for the interventions aiming to improve nurses’ well-being in high-stress work environments. This analysis demonstrates the value of nursing theories as they inform research design, facilitate understanding, and enhance nursing practice.