Exploration of Science and Theories for Nursing

Overview: Theoretical Framework Paper

The purpose of this paper is for you to individually create a theoretical framework for your practice (clinical/administrative/education). You will begin with the same concept that was selected for your Concept Exploration Paper. You will then search the literature and identify a theory that is an exact match to the concept of interest to provide the basis for a theoretical framework for your own practice.

For example, if your concept is pain, your theory must be a pain theory. A theoretical framework elaborates specifically on your concept. Therefore, a comfort theory is NOT an acceptable theory for pain. (Pain is no longer on the list of concepts, but this is still a good example).

The literature review for this section will include both an original/published source of the theory (of your concept) as well as examples from the literature of how others have utilized this theory.

This paper will also include other concepts that are relevant to your future practice. Examples may include ethical values (beneficence, autonomy, justice, veracity) or other concepts that build relationships in the theoretical framework. These other concepts may be selected from philosophies or theories relevant to nursing (caring, health promotion, expertise etc). A scholarly source must be identified for each concept used in the theoretical framework paper (not Wikipedia or a dictionary). You will then explain the concepts and describe relationships among them in both a narrative form and summarized in a schematic model representation (a figure/diagram). This is to be your OWN work and not a model that you find in the literature. All relevant concepts described in your paper need to be presented in the schematic drawing that illustrates the relationships between them. (Be sure to include a key with your diagram).

The final Personal Framework Paper, including the title page and reference page(s) should be no more than 10 pages. The paper must be written in proper APA 6th format.

This assignment is worth 25% of your overall grade for the course.

Components of the Paper:

Include the following section – be sure to follow proper APA format including headings. Use these listed areas as heading in your paper. (The introduction heading per APA should be your title – review your manual for details).

Title Page – use FDA CON title page format

Introduction – Give an overview of your paper

• Briefly describe the paper including the theory you are using.
• Which practice area are you applying this theory?
• Give an overview of your paper.

Literature Review: Find a theory that directly relates to your concept in your future area of practice. This may be from nursing or another discipline. Be sure that this is a published theory. (Search nursing theories). Review the literature on this theory with specific emphasis on authors of manuscripts/books that describe and have researched and/or theorized on your concept. Review the most pertinent literature to your particular concept. Minimum of 5 theory sources that support and add depth/breadth to the theory. These sources can be from the originator of the theory and you are not limited to works published in the last five years.

• Summarize: From the review of literature, summarize the key findings related to your concept, focusing on the most relevant/essential to your concept. Pick the one application of theory that best fits with your concept and your future practice.
• Other pertinent concepts: Include other concepts (minimum of 4) that are relevant to your future practice and link together with your chosen theory. Two must be ethical values and the other two concepts build relationships in the theoretical framework for your future practice. These other concepts may be selected from philosophies or theories relevant to nursing (caring, health promotion, expertise etc). A scholarly source must be identified for each concept. You will then explain the concepts and describe relationships among them. Describe your philosophy of nursing practice in comparison to the one you selected.
• Model: How are all of the concepts you identified related to each other in your theoretical framework?
  • o Provide a unique personal schematic model of all the concepts and the relationship between them.
  • o  Deliniate and discuss relationships between all of the concepts
  • o Describe the meaning of the placement and shapes of the symbols and their significance.
  • o  Include a key with the figure showing all symbols, colors, arrows etc.
  • o Refer to the model in your narrative (see Figure 1) before introducing your diagram.

Conclusion: Summarize the major points in your paper. Describe how you see yourself using this theoretical framework related to research or future advanced practice nursing. Be specific.

References: A minimum of 9 references are required. Please carefully follow APA format.

Note: This is a personal framework paper, so you are allowed to use first person in this paper.

 

Word Count: 2600-2700

No. of Pages: 10