NR-501 Week 5 Discussion-Analysis and Application of a Nursing Theory Appraisal

 According to Melnyk (1989), theory analysis is vital because “the power of a theory can be exposed, its limitations or “blinders” identified, and its power can then be used to expand our knowledge and understanding of the phenomena that characterize the nursing situation” (as cited in Theofanidis & Fountouki, 2008, p. 17). Walker and Avant (1983) determined that a theory must contain origins, meaning, logical adequacy, usefulness, generalizability, parsimony, and testability to be considered viable and beneficial within nursing practice (as cited in McEwen and Willis, 2014). The PCN Framework meets all the criteria to validate it as a theoretical framework for nursing practice. It was developed by McCormack and McCance (2017) and originated over the last decade based on previous empirical research that used older people and their experiences of caring as the original focus for the theory. It uses its four constructs to bring meaning to person-centered practice. Mccormack and McCance (2017) define person-centered practice as: …”  an approach to practice established through the formation and fostering of healthful relationships between all care providers, service users, and others significant to them in their lives” (p. 25). It has logical adequacy in a way that defines and promotes person-centered care and involves all associated with the caring process. It has influenced many other disciplines of practice, such as strategy, policy, and healthcare, on a broader spectrum. It is also the Framework of choice for leadership development and nursing education (McCormack and McCance, 2017). The Framework is being used globally, and McCormack and McCance (2017) state that their model has influenced nursing policy nationally and internationally. It has generalizability in such a way that allows it to be used in various settings and throughout all of nursing and its disciplines. McCormack and McCance (2017) state that using this Framework in numerous locations has allowed them to identify new research areas by refining the relationships between the concepts within the Framework. The PCN model possesses parsimony in that it is simple to understand, and the four constructs make it easy to apply. McCormack and McCance (2017) agree that the concept of person-centeredness depends on how it is implemented within the context of the situation. This model can be tested, and McCormack and McCance (2017) have developed several different instruments that can be used to test its effectiveness and have been proven as practical measuring tools.

Application to Advanced Practice Nursing

 This Framework can be used as a tool for FNPs to help promote an increased awareness of person-centered care within practice. McCormack and McCance (2017) state they have more recently started using a collection of patient stories to determine the outcomes of this model to test its usefulness within practice. This method is an example of how the model could guide the FNP to determine where there needs to be improvements within the practice setting. Asking patients questions that involve satisfaction with care, if they felt involved with respect, if they felt like they were safe, and if they felt like their care was given in an environment suitable for healing can help FNPs recognize critical areas that need to be addressed, which can assist them in identifying where barriers lie and where there needs to be an improvement. If each survey states that the nurses were incompetent, then the prerequisites of the Framework can be addressed and worked on. This can help the FNP improve practice, and these improvements will radiate to each person who is involved with patient care, ultimately giving patients a holistic, person-centered experience (McCance et al., 2011).

Conclusion

 The Person-Centered Nursing Framework has been analyzed and implemented all over the world. It meets the criteria to qualify it as a theoretical model, and data suggest that positive health outcomes result from its implantation in all aspects of nursing practice. Each relationship I build with my patients as an FNP will be unique. The PCN Framework can help me acknowledge that each caring relationship is, and should be, different if it is going to be person-centered. I have found this Framework very intriguing and helpful. I see the value in its concepts, and it helps me understand how I can achieve positive outcomes through person-centered care as an FNP.

References

Chamberlain, B., Bersick, E., Cole, D., Craig, J., Cummins, K., Duffy, M., . . . Skeahan, L. (2013). Evidence-based nursing practice models: A concept analysis. 16-18. Retrieved from ht