Question

theoretical concepts related to patricia benners theory

Answer 1

PATRICIA BENNERS THEORY

BACKGROUND OF THEORIST

Dr. Patricia Benners is a nursing theorist and she was born in Hampton,Virginia.She was graduated in1964 and done masters in medical surgical nursing in 1970.In late 1960 s she worked in the clinical field.She worked as a head nurse in coronary care unit.She was completed her doctorate in1982.

In 1982 Dr. Patricia Benners introduced novice to expert model in nursing.This concept explains that nurses develop skill and understanding of patient care from a combination of strong educational foundation and personal experiences.

MAJOR CONCEPTS

1. Nursing

Nursing is defined as caring relationship. She gave importance in creating connections between caring and concern

2. Person

She explained 4 major aspects

• role of the situation
• role of the body
• role of personal concerns
• role of temporality

3. Health

She explained health is not only the absence of disease or illness but also health pertains more on the physical, physiological and psychological well being.

4. Environment

Dr. Patricia emphasize the term situation thn environment.Her work give emphasize to the experiential interaction of the person with those around him.

KEY CONCEPTS OF THEORY

1. Skill Aquistion

Skill Aquistion is the stage of attaining the knowledge and skill and translating into the useful and practical manner.It is the stage in which nurses are prepared from novice to expert.

a. Novice

It is the begining stage of skill aquistion . Here the nurse has no theoretical knowledge and practical skill. In this step nurses are taught what to do.Rules and guidelines as well as close supervision by the expert are the essential points in this stage .

b.Advanced beginner

This is the second stage,here the person shows marginally acceptable performance based on nursing experience from different situations.Here the nurses will have sense of responsibility in patient care but would still need a support from more experienced personnel.

c. Competent

In nursing competent nurse formed after 2-3 years of experience in the same field.Here nurses are more aware of long term goals and they form their own actions which improves the efficiency in patient care

d. Proficient

This is the transition phase from cometent nurse to expertise nurse.Here nurses begins to recognize the situation and takes the better decision.Based on their past experience they anticipate the clinical situation and modify the plan too.

e. Expert

This is the last stage of skill aquistion.They have deeper background of experience. Here they take decisions very quickly. Their performances are flexible and highly proficient.

MAJOR ASSUMPTIONS

1. Theory is derived from experience

Differnt clinical situations helps the nurses to acquire knowledge.According to her theory is developed from practice and practice is improved by knowledge.

2.Caring is essential for all coping

Caring helps a person to recover from all his /her discomforts.It helps to establish and maintain the relationship between the person and a nurse

3. No practioner can practice beyond the experience

She expalins the importance of sound knowledge and good skill in patient care. She also explainsow the nurse is prepared from novice to expert.

THEORETICAL ASSERTIONS

Dr. Patricia Benners explaines skilled practice of nursing exceeds the boundary of formal theory

• Discovering the assumptions can uncover the unexamined area of practical knowledge ,which can be studied
• Clinical knowledge is more than the theoretical knowledge
• Clinical knowledge acquired from situations can be shared with other personnel

APPLICATION

This theory is mostly applied in intensive care units.When the patient is in emergency the expert nurse act based on their experince and knowledge and save the life of the patient.