THEORY-BASED NURSING PRACTICE

Theory provides nurses with a perspective with which to view client si tuations, a way to organize the hundreds of data bits encountered in t he day-to-day care of clients, and a way to analyse and interpret the information, A theoretical perspective allows the nurse to plan and im plement care purposefully and proactively. When nurses practice purpos efully and systematically, they are more efficient, have better contro l over the outcomes of their care, and are better able to communicate with others. Health care agencies san designate a specific nursing the ory to guide the nursing practice within the entire organization, The critical component in choosing a nursing theory for an organization is the 'fit' between the philosophical assumptions of the organization a nd the theory, Modelling and role-modelling, a theory and paradigm for nursing, can be implemented in any setting, Hospice is a concept of c are, not a place, Hospice care illustrates the excellent 'fit' between an existing philosophy of care and theory-based nursing practice, The 'fit' is based on the similarity of the philosophical assumptions of hospice and the nursing theory of modelling and role-modelling.