Like In Economics, Nurses Use A Conceptual Model Framework

Like In Economics Nurses Use A Conceptual Model Framework To Form An

Like in economics, nurses use a conceptual model framework to form an abstraction from reality and utilize a set of factors to illustrate complex human activities and represent the real working system. In nursing, a conceptual model framework serves as a fictional representation of the functioning of the human body through visual tools such as pictures, diagrams, and videos, aiding nurses in understanding how biological systems operate. This approach allows for simplified yet effective visualization of human physiological processes, enhancing comprehension for nursing practitioners and students.

On the other hand, nursing theory is a well-established and evidence-based explanation of specific phenomena within the nursing discipline. It offers substantive reasoning and documentation that elucidate the occurrence and nature of particular nursing phenomena (Alligood, 2017). These theories encompass ideas, detailed descriptions, interactions among various factors, and conventions that support understanding and predicting occurrences in nursing practice.

Several factors contribute to nursing theories, including the patient, environment, health, and nursing goals. An exemplary nursing theory is Florence Nightingale’s environmental theory, which elucidates the relationship between ecological factors and patients' recovery processes. Nightingale posited that environmental conditions—whether healthy or unhealthy—exert a significant influence on the immune system and recovery rates of patients. She asserted that patients in unfavorable surroundings with poor sanitation and hygiene have diminished chances of rapid recovery (Zborowsky, 2014). This theory emphasizes the importance of environmental factors in promoting health and healing.

Nightingale developed her environmental theory during the Crimean War, observing that soldiers’ health deteriorated despite receiving medical treatment. She attributed this decline to unsanitary living conditions and poor environmental hygiene—factors that impeded healing. Her findings highlighted that the environment plays a critical role in patient outcomes. Consequently, her theory advocates for establishing optimal environmental conditions to facilitate healing, including clean air, potable water, proper lighting, effective drainage systems, and overall cleanliness of the patient and surroundings.

The core of Nightingale’s environmental theory underscores the importance of sanitation and environmental quality in healthcare. It has profoundly influenced modern nursing practices, promoting infection control, sanitation protocols, and the design of healthcare environments that support recovery. This conceptual framework remains relevant today, as healthcare providers continue to recognize the vital role environment plays in patient health outcomes, especially in acute and chronic care settings.

In conclusion, the application of conceptual models and nursing theories, like Nightingale’s environmental theory, provides essential guidance for understanding and improving patient care. These frameworks facilitate a comprehensive view of the factors influencing health and recovery, enabling nurses to implement practices that optimize environmental conditions and promote healing. As nursing continues to evolve, integrating these conceptual tools remains fundamental in developing effective, patient-centered care strategies that are evidence-based and rooted in a deep understanding of human health and environment interactions.

References

• Alligood, M. R. (2017). Nursing Theorists and Their Work (9th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.
• Zborowsky, T. (2014). Florence Nightingale's Environmental Theory and Its Impact on Modern Nursing. Nursing Science Quarterly, 27(3), 234-237.
• McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2019). Theoretical Foundations of Nursing (5th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
• George, J. B. (2011). Nursing Theories: The Base for Professional Nursing Practice (6th ed.). Pearson.
• Alligood, M. R. (2014). Nursing Theorists and Their Work (8th ed.). Elsevier.
• Finkelman, A., & Kenner, C. (2013). Professional Nursing Concepts: Competencies for Quality Leadership (2nd ed.). Pearson.
• Peplau, H. E. (1997). Interpersonal Relations in Nursing: A Building Block for Practice. Springer Publishing Company.
• Roy, C. (2009). The Roy Adaptation Model (3rd ed.). Pearson.
• Vaughan, C. (2015). Concepts for Nursing Practice (2nd ed.). Saunders.
• Benner, P., Sutphen, R., Leonard, V., & Day, L. (2010). Educating Nurses: A Call for Radical Transformation. Jossey-Bass.