The purpose of this discussion is to identify how theory informs evidence-based practice. This discussion aligns with the following course objective(s):

Identify universal nursing theories. (BSN SLO 2,3,7,8)
Demonstrate basic competency in scholarly communication for baccalaureate education. (BSN SLO 2 & 8)

Instructions: Patricia Benner’s Novice to Expert Theory is a popular nursing theory used to guide evidence-based practice. This discussion will explore some applications of this theory. Your post should include the following:

Read about Dr. Benner’s theory here: https://nursing-theory.org/nursing-theorists/Patricia-Benner.php

Where do you see yourself falling in the Novice – Expert spectrum? Why?
-I am an advanced beginner

Find an example article that uses Benner’s theory to guide research. Provide a brief summary of the article in your discussion with appropriate citation and reference.  Crossroads between Theory and Practice Essay Paper

Why do you think it is important to use theory to guide evidence-based practice? (Hint: It is an important part of the research process!)
References apa 7th edition scholarly/peer reviewed no older than the last 10 year

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Crossroads between Theory and Practice

Where do you see yourself falling in the Novice – Expert spectrum? Why?

I am an advanced beginner. That is because my educational background and experience from limited practice have allowed me to practice as a professional nurse even as I become more familiar with the recurrent, meaningful components of nursing practice. I have good foundational knowledge of nursing, and have the know-how to practice as a nurse, but I cannot practice independently or take on complex nursing cases because I do not have in-depth nursing experience (Smith, 2020).

Find an example article that uses Benner’s theory to guide research. Provide a brief summary of the article in your discussion with appropriate citation and reference.

Thomas and Kellgren (2017) is a journal article that presents the results of research study on the application of Benner’s novice to expert novel in the development of simulation facilitators. It notes that simulation is increasingly become common within academic and practice settings. Consequently, there is a need for the development of simulation facilitators so that they are guided to take on the responsibilities they can handle. Towards this end, the research study presents a conceptual structure of a learning trajectory that would guide the development of simulation facilitators based on Benner’s theory. The results of the study operationalize the five stages of Benner’s model, showing how simulation facilitators can develop capabilities from novice to advanced beginner, competent, proficient and finally expert level. At each stage of developing their capabilities, the simulation facilitators would require particular infrastructure, educational programs and development resources. The article concludes that Benner’s model is a good guide for the development of simulation facilitators (Thomas & Kellgren, 2017).

Why do you think it is important to use theory to guide evidence-based practice?

Evidence-based practice (EBP) that is guided by theory helps to improve the quality of nursing care. That is because it allows nurses to articulate what they are doing and why they are doing it. To be more precise, theory use in guiding EBP is important as it expounds on the nature of the problem while helping to identify the range of factors that can be modified to achieve the desired outcomes. In addition, the theories help to inform how the intervention strategies are developed and implemented. Besides that, theory helps to illuminate perspective in research through methodological pluralism thus presenting a broad epistemological basis for the EBP. Furthermore, theory guided EBP is important because it is accompanied by general principles that inform wider application. Without reference to specific theories and their principles, EBP risks being submerged in a morass of empirical evidence that would not necessarily guide practice. Overall, it is clear that theory is not intended to offer universal prediction or explanation in EBP, but rather to enhance the understanding of complex situations by improving sensitivity to specific contextual factors even as it draws on the experience of communities and practitioners (Schmidt & Brown, 2019).

References

Schmidt, N., & Brown, J. (2019). Evidence-Based Practice for Nurses: Appraisal and Application of Research (4^th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC.

Smith, M. C. (2020). Nursing Theories and Nursing Practice (5^th ed.). F. A. Davis Company.

Thomas, C. M., & Kellgren, M. (2017). Benner’s Novice to Expert Model: An Application for Simulation Facilitators. Nursing Science Quarterly, 30(3), 227-234. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894318417708410

Crossroads between Theory and Practice Essay Paper