May 30, | nursing, med, NURS, Paper
Katharine kolcaba’s comfort theory sample essay paper
Katharine kolcaba’s comfort theory sample essay paper
Katharine Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory
Nursing and care education entails numerous theories that can be learned and applied in the line of duty of nurse practitioners. Therefore, among the many theories, it is ideal to settle on Kolcaba’s theory of comfort for effective understanding of how the theory was developed, its concepts, and its effectiveness. The theory restored the potential of placing comfort in the frontline of nursing and healthcare operations and positive outcomes in patient care activities. This paper, therefore, aims at expounding into detail the Kolcaba’s Comfort theory through description, analysis, and evaluation of the theory in relation to nursing and healthcare services.
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Theory Description
Purpose of the Theory
Kolcaba’s Comfort theory is a mid-range Theory in nursing and conceptual context that was first generated about three decades ago. The Theory has however been regenerated and polished as per the current society, and it thus challenges nurse practitioners to always consider the comfort of patients while handling them (Kolcaba 2015). Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory entails various aspects that are relevant and applicable to the operations of nurses in their line of duty of restoring harmony to the issues affecting them health wise.
Concepts and Definitions
The main concept of this theory is comfort. The concept of comfort can be distinguished into three forms, i.e. ease, relief and transcendence and all these forms of comfort can be viewed in terms of physical, environmental, psychospiritual, and social-cultural (Kolcaba 2015). Comfort is vital to the operations of nursing since through relieving the pain, laying the body at ease and total relaxation, the patient is able to recover and feel okay. katharine kolcaba’s comfort theory sample essay paper. When the patient’s body is under stress, this may delay the process of recovering, and therefore, comfort is very crucial in healing and enhancing the condition of the patient thereby improving the quality of life.
Apart from the concept of comfort, there are other important concepts that have been incorporated in Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory. These concepts include measures of comfort, healthcare needs, health-seeking behaviors, variables for intervention, and institutional integrity (McEwen & Wills, 2017). Measures of comfort requirements are the nursing interventions that aim at restoring harmony and stability for the well being of the patient. Healthcare needs are the needs of the patient that will restore comfort under a stressing health period. katharine kolcaba’s comfort theory sample essay paper. Variables for intervention are the previous encounters of the patient in liaison to healthcare and thoughts about healthcare. The idea of the behaviors of health-seeking was developed by Schlotfedt Rozella in the year 1975 and implies that outcomes of the patient that can be external, internal or a calm death. The integrity of an institution is explained by the actual situations that entail emphasis or qualities for holistic interventions.
According to Kolcaba, there are three interventions that are vital in restoring comfort in a patient, and they include management of the pain; assessment of the vitals, medical administration, and helping of the patient to regain physically by preventing the negative issue from recurring again (McEwen & Wills, 2017). The second intervention is coaching which entails supporting the patient to develop attainable goals for anxiety reduction, fear or worry, recovery or death, and also encouraging the patient to listen and be flexible to ideas. The last intervention is ensuring a “comfort food” for an individual that recognizes the ancient nursing ideologies. This may be the actual food that the patient loves and upon consuming it restores comfort in him/her, massage or music therapy or environmental alterations that may promote peace and comfort in the patient (Saragopsill, 2013). Generally, a combination of all the concepts of the Comfort Theory of Kolcaba can lead to a significant change in the life of the patient and healthcare encounter. katharine kolcaba’s comfort theory sample essay paper.
Relationships
All the Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory concepts are rooted and interconnected to one another. To ensure comfort, Kolcaba entails the important forms of assessment of the patient, diagnosis, drawing of intervention and a care plan and evaluation of the nursing process (Saragopsill, 2013). Assessment of the patient entails checking the patient needs that may derail comfort interventions and the objectives of seeking health behaviors and development of actions that will promote the well being of the patient through holistic and effective treatment. Statements in regard to the correlation of the concepts have been elaborated effectively throughout the entire theory thus making it ideal for someone to incorporate them. katharine kolcaba’s comfort theory sample essay paper. Also, the concepts flow in a continuous form through a structured framework.
Assumptions
Assumptions of person, environment, health, and nursing have been described within the Comfort Theory by Kolcaba. According to the theory, a patient is the person, family, community or organization that requires the healthcare service. Health is elaborated as the “optimal operation” as understood by the person, family, or community surrounding that will seek the services of the nurse practitioner to acquire comfort (Smith & Parker, 2015). Nursing is referred as the assessment of the needs of the patient, offering intervention services to ensure restoration of comfort in the patient and then evaluating the patient to affirm whether the intervention plan worked out effectively as aimed or not. katharine kolcaba’s comfort theory sample essay paper.
Patient assessment can be either objective or subjective. It can be objective in a manner like measuring a healing wound or subjective like interrogating the patient if he/she is in pain or not. There are numerous concepts in the theory that give a lead and guidance on how it can be applied for practical nursing activities (Saragopsill, 2013). The theory elaborates comfort and an holistic activity and illustrates its three aspects which include ease, relief and transcendence.
Therefore, when the patient requires ease, relief and transcendence, and they are effectively availed under the four backgrounds i.e. physical, environmental, social and psychospiritual so that the patient can acquire the strength directly (Smith & Parker, 2015). The patient acquires relief out of the pain after operation through administration of the appropriate analgesia which generates comfort in the patient through the sense of relief. Ease is acquired after anxiety or fear is overted through treatment. Similarly, transcendence may be obtained through an instance like the patient attaining a particular goal/objective in the process of healing. Indeed, the Kolcaba’s definitions are practical since many of them can be applied by nurses in their daily operations to restore comfort and well being of the patient. katharine kolcaba’s comfort theory sample essay paper.
Analysis of the Theory
Origin of the Theory
The theory was first written and developed in the 1990s but was not effected yet. By the early 2000, the theory began to be understood and now began to be fully implemented and adopted by healthcare and nurse practitioners.
Unique Focus and Content of the Theory
Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory has been generated in a manner that enables it to be applied under a practical environment and for all the populations. It has the concept of ensuring comfort to the patient which helps a patient to quickly heal and relax (Smith & Parker, 2015). Despite the situation or life stage of the patient, the theory is always effective and applicable in promoting quality life and well being of that patient. katharine kolcaba’s comfort theory sample essay paper. It is indeed evident that the theory can be applicable in other areas apart from nursing and educational fields. The aspect of comfort to the patient is very vital in ensuring that he/she acquires ease and relaxation which are the main factors that steer healing.
Evaluation of the Theory
The theory is in agreement with the existing literature reviews and operates in a simple and direct manner and it can be easily applied into real-life situations in healthcare activities by nurses (McEwen & Wills, 2017). This is because it brings a direct solution to the basic issues of handling and treating patients. Also, the theory works hand in hand with nursing practices and operations in enhancing the well being of patients. Due to its relevance, it is thus vital for practice among all the nurse practitioners so that they can effectively assess and ensure quality interventions to patients.
Conclusion
Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort is entailed a lot of vital aspects and concepts that can be applied in the healthcare operations and medication services for patients. The theory offers guidance and knowledge for making decisions by in the nursing process by overting pain and discomfort in a patient and restoring ease and relaxation in a patient. Therefore, upon describing, analyzing and evaluating the theory, it can be affirmed that it is an effective theory and should be integrated into the operations of nurses to promote quality and well being of patients. katharine kolcaba’s comfort theory sample essay paper.
References
Kolcaba, K. A. T. H. A. R. I. N. E. (2015). Katherine Kolcaba’s comfort theory. Nursing theories and nursing practice, 381-392.
McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2017). Theoretical basis for nursing. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Saragopsill. (2013, September 29). Analysis of Katherine Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort. Retrieved from https://saragopsill.wordpress.com/2013/09/26/analysis-of-katherine-kolcabas-theory-of-comfort/
Smith, M. C., & Parker, M. E. (2015). Nursing theories and nursing practice. FA Davis. katharine kolcaba’s comfort theory sample essay paper
May 30, | nursing, med, NURS, Paper
Professional Capstone and Practicum Reflective Journal
Professional Capstone and Practicum Reflective Journal
Week 1
During week one I will say that I have spent most of my time familiarizing myself with the course objectives and getting a stronger understanding of evidence-based practice. I feel I need more of an understanding so that I can identify when evidence based practice is incorporated into my own day to day nursing practice. After reading the lecture notes and going through the course resources I see that evidence based practice is highly resourceful in the field of nursing and the implementation continues to increase satisfactory patient outcomes. Additionally, “Evidence based practice is the conscientious use of current best evidence in making decisions about patient care” (Perdu University, 2017).
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But in week one I learned that there are issues when getting nurses to engage in evidence based practice and adhere to the standards. Studies have shown that there are several reasons why nurses fail to adhere to EBP standards, but some factors include, lack of time, inability to understand statistical terms, and inadequate understanding of the jargon used in research articles (Majid, et al., 2011). Overall, I believe that hospitals, clinics, and medical offices should become more involved in pushing the importance of EBP because as nurses we are always involved with clinical decision-making processes. Professional Capstone and Practicum Reflective Journal.
Week one has also got me acquainted with the mentor mentee relationship as my mentor is a nurse that works at my hospital. I see her as an important support system for me throughout this course, and a necessary guide throughout my education and practice. I had a great discussion with my mentor going over the course objectives and discussing her expectations of me along with my goals. We also came up with success strategies and a list of readings for times when I feel overwhelmed or discouraged. Furthermore, we agreed that communication was key throughout the course and that I active communication was essential to be successful.
References
Majid, S., Foo, S., Luyt, B., Zhang, X., Theng, Y.-L., Chang, Y.-K., & Mokhtar, I. A. (2011). Adopting evidence-based practice in clinical decision making: nurses’ perceptions, knowledge, and barriers. Journal of the Medical Library Association : JMLA, 99(3), 229–236. http://doi.org/10.3163/1536-5050.99.3.010
Purdue University Northwest. (2015, August 12). Evidence-based practice in nursing. Retrieved December 04, 2017, from https://nursingonline.pnw.edu/articles/evidence-based-practice-nursing.aspx. Professional Capstone and Practicum Reflective Journal.
Nursing Reflective Journal
Introduction
Nurses operate in settings that are characterized by challenges and complexities. The knowledge and practical experiences that I have amassed have enable me to overcome the complexities of health care systems in order to deliver services to patients and disadvantaged populations. Therefore, my experiences dealing with patients in different healthcare settings have provided me with opportunities to sharpen my professional and leadership skills. For a baccalaureate prepared nurse who anticipates working within a variety of settings, I can no longer afford to rely solely on my expertise in training, nor naïve optimism relating to collaboration and cooperation. Therefore, my learning and practical experiences have improved my ability to exercise leadership skills and contribute to the delivery of effective healthcare services to vulnerable groups. I have also been able to master the context of the healthcare system in which I provide my roles within the systemic structure of healthcare organization. Professional Capstone and Practicum Reflective Journal.
New Practice Approaches
The field of nursing has undergone major changes in the last decades. As a baccalaureate prepared nurse, I have learned to adapt to the changes in order to remain relevant in my effort to provide excellent services to patients. For instance, the continued use of evidence-based practice in nursing has been helpful to deal with health problems such as asthma, heart attack, diabetes, and obesity (Kristensen, Nymann & Konradsen, 2015). However, I have noted that such principles are not adequately embraced in care delivery and various practices abound. Within a traditional setting, patient safety studies have emphasized on evaluation of records to assess patient safety issues and to demonstrate that new practices will result in enhanced quality and patient safety. In particular, I have learned that nursing is a field that is rich with practices that recommend the use of empirical studies. Today, the nursing profession has offered major leadership for improving care through the utilization of findings in practice. Professional Capstone and Practicum Reflective Journal.
The continued use of evidence-based practice in the field of nursing has revolutionized healthcare in various ways. Institutions of higher learning are increasingly recognizing the significance of this recent trend by introducing changes to their nursing programs in order to take into account evidence-based practice. As a student who pursues a degree in nursing, course materials that focus not just on improving the nurse’s entire knowledge, but also enhancing the significance of professional transparency is important. Such initiatives stress on the need for a nurse to make informed decisions and promote the consideration of the patients’ clinical, ethnic and spiritual backgrounds in relation to their health.Professional Capstone and Practicum Reflective Journal. The continued utilization of evidence-based practice in healthcare has also resulted in renewed focus on nursing studies. Although nursing programs may be comprised of at least a single or more courses associated with research, it is the task of learners to identify the significance of improving their skills. While I have observed that conducting research is not a regular endeavor for a nurse, it is important to understand issues that are relevant to new scientific evidences because this can provide major impacts on present and future career development. One popular evidence-based framework that is extensively used is the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) patient safety framework (Titler, 2008). This framework offers a safety research portfolio to health care delivery.
Interprofessional Collaboration
Health care tasks are often complex, multifaceted and burdensome for one professional to accomplish. A single problem may require the input of many groups of people drawn from different areas of specialty. This is one of the most interesting learning experiences that I observed. The role of nursing in leading change and advancing health cannot be questioned (Sullivan et al. 2015). Therefore, a nurse must understand that no single person can perform all these functions alone. Most significantly, I have learned that interprofessional collaboration goes beyond the practical healthcare setting to include educational contexts (Sullivan et al. 2015). Contemporary healthcare institutions need sophisticated organizational systems that depend on the interrelationship and integrations of many services that are offered by various caregivers. Each of these caregivers have their respective areas of professionalism and emphasis. Interprofessional collaboration is essential for the fruitful solving of problems of improving medicine and technology, reduced resources, as well as the widening demand for healthcare services. Professional Capstone and Practicum Reflective Journal. Nurses also operate in such contexts in which multidisciplinary professional collaboration takes place not just relating to the care of individual clients, but also when it comes to provision of support to system-wide procedures and activities. Interprofessional collaboration is essential both within small units and major health companies that have big departments among experts at clinical and management areas. In a healthcare sector that is characterized by increasing demand for transparency and accountability, nurses are expected to assess the degree of standard of care that they offer. The beneficial survival of patients in a problematic and competitive world requires that healthcare institutions’ performances indicate the highest possible levels of care without having to sacrifice high costs. Interprofessional collaboration improves the possibility that good standards of care can be efficiently attained, irrespective of the costs and nature of teams that come together to address health problems.
Ethical Considerations in Healthcare
Nurses often struggle with the ethical challenges related to patient care. As a result, ethical problems and issues may arise within any healthcare circumstance in which deep moral questions of rightness or wrongness under professional decision-making and the beneficent care of patients (Ulrich et al. 2010). As a nurse, I learned the importance of understanding the ethical climate and culture of the healthcare institution that I was operating. Ethical culture can be regarded as the manner in which ethical matters and circumstances that create ethical problems or concerns are dealt with in an institution. Ethical practices in the field of nursing can be maintained by seeking consultations from ethical experts. These experts play an integral role in the development of a collection of code of ethics that contain guidelines and recommendations that can be used to respond to ethical concerns. In the event that an ethical problem occurs, it is important to conform to a good ethical climate that makes up employee perceptions on how major decisions that have ethical contents are handled, discussed, and addressed. The nurse has both individual and collective responsibility to establish, maintain, and improve the ethical environments of the practical contexts and conditions of employment that are supportive to secure, high standard health care. This responsibility enables a nurse to uphold the significance of an ethical environment where the ethical practices of nurse practitioners and other healthcare professionals is important to meet the preferences and objectives of patients and their family members. Professional Capstone and Practicum Reflective Journal.
Health Disparities
While it is the duty of the nurse to ensure that health services are accessible to all patient populations, advancing of health equity agenda has faced various challenges. For instance, there are racial-based inequalities that people face in their access to health. The perception of the US as a post racial country is inaccurate (Anderson, 2012). Therefore, two general approaches can be employed to reduce inequalities in access to health services. Health disparities emerge when certain groups of people enjoy better health services and access to health than others. This often reflects in differences in death rates among various populations that make up the United States. Disparities are mainly brought about by inequalities in people’s levels of income across the entire population. For instance, poor blacks may face the challenge of accessing better health services than middle class whites. Nurses can play a major role in examining and investigating health inequalities through a process referred to as selection. Selection can be described as the tendency that individuals have to group themselves in terms of their residential places, social gatherings, and other forms of clustering. For instance, individuals who like to engage in physical activities are most likely to reside in areas where they can walk, whereas those who like to isolate themselves or stay indoors often opt for auto-reliant estates. This plays a major role in the differences in health among members who belong to varying levels of income. For instance, those who are rich and live sedentary lifestyles are most likely to face cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and diabetes compared to their counterparts in poor neighborhoods who have to walk for long distances. This phenomenon is in some situations viewed as an explanation for academic, professional, or ethnic disparities in health. Professional Capstone and Practicum Reflective Journal. For instance, some scholars may seek to understand the interrelationships between socioeconomic status as an outcome of selection by asserting that genetically superior people are most likely to enjoy better health and high Intelligence Quotient. This suggests why most intellectuals and those who have high socioeconomic status are healthier. However, my observation is that geographical factors can play a major role in increasing health inequalities in the country. This can be viewed in terms of the contextual and compositional impacts. Contextual issues often affect a neighborhood whereas compositional factors are basically representative of the nature of people in terms o their surroundings or other contexts. For instance, in case a specialized healthcare institution attracts high number or chronically ill occupants of a particular neighborhood, the poor health status of these neighborhoods in comparison to immediate surroundings can be compositional.
References
Anderson, K. M. (2012). How Far Have We Come in Reducing Health Disparities?: Progress
Since 2000: Workshop Summary. New York: National Academies Press. Professional Capstone and Practicum Reflective Journal.
Gordon, J. M., Lorilla, J. D., & Lehman, C. A. (2012). The role of the clinical nurse specialist in
the future of health care in the United States. Perioperative Nursing Clinics, 7(3), 343-
353.
Kristensen, N., Nymann, C., & Konradsen, H. (2015). Implementing research results in clinical
practice-the experiences of healthcare professionals. BMC health services
research, 16(1), 48.
Sullivan, M., Kiovsky, R. D., Mason, D. J., Hill, C. D., & Dukes, C. (2015). Interprofessional
collaboration and education. AJN The American Journal of Nursing, 115(3), 47-54.
Titler, M. G. (2008). The evidence for evidence-based practice implementation. Patient Safety
and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses.
Ulrich, C. M., Taylor, C., Soeken, K., O’Donnell, P., Farrar, A., Danis, M., & Grady, C. (2010).
Everyday ethics: ethical issues and stress in nursing practice. Journal of advanced
nursing, 66(11), 2510-2519. Professional Capstone and Practicum Reflective Journal.
