Borrowed Theories Guiding Practice

Nursing makes use of theories from other disciplines (a.k.a., borrowed theories). How does using borrowed theory support the development of nursing theory?

Class,

We are all aware of the fact that basic nursing courses only mention nursing theories in broad and general terms and there is little focus on their application to practice. This is changing as nursing educators increase the levels of thinking and knowledge expected of a registered nurse. 

The same cannot be said for borrowed theories. Borrowed theories are discussed and applied as the student nurse begins to develop the knowledge and skills for safe, effective nursing care. How do we determine the priorities of our actions? Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. What do we know about the individual coping styles that protect the personality from anxiety? Freud’s defense mechanisms. Our reading this week reflects theories that advanced nurses have borrowed from the fields of sociological sciences and learning theories.

In this thread you will respond to and discuss: Nurses make use of theories from other disciplines (a.k.a. borrowed theories). How does using borrowed theory support the development of nursing theory? 

The course outcome that will be used to guide the learning process is:

• Analyze theories from nursing and relevant fields with respect to their components, relationships among the components, logic if the presentations, comprehensiveness, and utility to advanced nursing