Theory Application Paper: Florence Nightingale Environmental Theory
Esther Nkwah
Herzing University
NU 500-Theoretical Foundations of Nursing
Usama
... [Show More] Saleh
June 26, 2022
This study source was downloaded by 100000824368823 from CourseHero.com on 11-03-2022 01:30:32 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/163376777/Theory-Application-Paper-Florence-Nightingale-Environmental-Theorydocx/
2
Theory Application Paper: Florence Nightingale Environmental Theory
Nursing theory and nursing practice have always been integrated. The nursing
profession is based on the theoretical framework of many research types and formulated
theories. Establishing your practice on nursing theories demonstrates how it prompts the nurse
to look for the why of their care and practice (McEwen & Ellis, 2019). One of the most significant
benefits of nursing theories is the knowledge that applies to their practice. This knowledge
propels the nurse to have better patient outcomes, learn interventions to prevent a situation
from worsening and helps with continuing education. Because there is so much to learn in
nursing and the population ages and develops, it is necessary to continue studying theories that
lead to more vital clinical skills and decision-making (Bertero, 2010). Florence Nightingale’s
Environmental Theory has proved that despite being developed in the 1800s, the theory is still
applicable to today’s nursing practice regardless of the evolution of nursing. This paper aims to
briefly describe Nightingale’s theory, how it can be applied to a specific nursing unit such as
medical-surgical, and potential barriers to implementation.
Theory Description
Florence Nightingale's Environmental Theory puts the patient at the center of focus
(Zborowski, 2014). This theory describes how the environment plays a significant role in the
outcome of the patient’s well-being, along with the nurse aiding in ensuring an optimal
environment. Nightingale’s theory is considered a middle-range theory since it can be applied to
multiple practice areas and is patient-centered. Part of Nightingale’s theories includes multiple
concepts regarding external and internal factors affecting the patient’s environment. Internal
factors include ventilation, food, water, toileting, and the patient’s medications. External factors
include noise, lighting, the temperature of the room, and the cleanliness of the room. Other
concepts included in this theory are the nurse, the patient, the environment, and the patient’s
This study source was downloaded by 100000824368823 from CourseHero.com on 11-03-2022 01:30:32 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/163376777/Theory-Application-Paper-Florence-Nightingale-Environmental-Theorydocx/
3
health. All these encompassed rely on the nurse to manipulate the patient’s atmosphere for a
positive outcome and encourage the patient to participate in their care (Wasaya et al., 2021).
The essence of this theory is to highlight how patient safety and maintenance are imperative to
imply in the nursing practice. Such basic things as hand hygiene, proper hygiene for the patient,
and nutrition contribute to quality patient care that is still relevant in modern-day nursing.
Rationale
Because the nursing profession includes holistic patient care and providing individualistic
care to all patients, Nightingale's theory specifies how the patient is the central focus of all care.
The nurse will most likely improve the patient's outcome based on numerous research behind
this theory and its relevance to today’s nursing practice. Changing the patient’s environment
helps put the patient in a better mood and motivates them to support the nurse improve their
health. Poor environments contribute to poor health and lead to a negative outcome for the
patient (Selanders, 2010), which is why being well knowledged in Nightingale’s environmental
theory aids in many nursing practices, including med-surg. Many patients admitted to the medsurg unit are primarily seniors, and many need help with one thing that affects their health.
Implementation Plan
Implementing this theory into the med-surg unit is essential to convey. To do this, nurses
can team up with the other healthcare workers on the unit assigned to their patients. For
example, a patient admitted to the unit goes through a nursing head-to-toe assessment, and two
pressure ulcers are identified on their sacrum and upper back. The patient looks disheveled and
ungroomed and hasn’t eaten anything in a few days. Other external factors affect the patient’s [Show Less]