Visual Displays of Data Paper-Walden University

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MODULE 5 VISUAL DISPLAYS FOR CONTINUOUS VARIABLES Page navigation • previous: Visual Displays of Categorical Variables: Summary • next: Identifying Continuous Variables • Go to page 20 Current Module | Pages 20 – 23 Visual Displays for Continuous Variables Introduction Learning Objectives • Evaluate visual displays of data for continuous variables. A researcher conducted a study in which she observed students’ scores on an examination. One of the first steps in analyzing a sample of data is to examine the distribution of values for variables in the data set. The distribution of the data tells her about the frequency with which various values are observed. Distributions can be examined in visual displays such as tables and graphs. A good graph or table is informative and allows researchers to identify and communicate important characteristics of the data. Different approaches are taken for visually displaying categorical and continuous variables. Visual Displays of Categorical Variables Introduction Learning Objectives • Evaluate visual displays of categorical variables. A researcher asks students how they perceived their body weight. They might respond with overweight, underweight, or just about right, in which case each student is a unit of analysis, the answer options represent categories of responses, each answer option is a value, and all of the students’ responses comprises a data set. One of the first steps in analyzing a sample of data such as this one is to examine what is referred to as the distribution of values for the data set’s variables. Visual displays of data help researchers communicate the distribution and other key information (the story they are telling with their data) both effectively and efficiently, including for their own exploration. Put another way, visual displays of data allow researchers to quickly identify interesting aspects of their data (for example, are the study’s participants predominately satisfied with their body weight?), and to do so more efficiently than merely using words. Researchers take different approaches for visually displaying categorical and continuous variables. This skill builder focuses on visual displays for the former. Identifying Categorical Variables Categorical variables are those that have a small number of possible values. Usually, categorical variables involve nominal or ordinal levels of measurement. For example, political party affiliation is an example of a nominal, categorical variable. This variable places individuals into one of just a few categories (e.g. Democrat, Republican, or Independent). An example of an ordinal, categorical variable is highest grade completed, with categories of less than high school, high school diploma, and more than high school. Again, this variable has just a small number of possible values. You will typically use categorical methods of displaying data, such as a bar chart or a pie chart, when the number of categories is less than 10 or 12. If there are too many categories, the displays become messy and difficult to read. Also keep in mind that pie charts and bar charts are not typically used for non-categorical variables. An example of a non-categorical variable would be students’ percentile ranking on a standardized math test; this variable has a large range of values and students aren’t simply placed into one of a limited number of categories. Learn by Doing Hints, displayed below Which of the following variables would (YES) or would not (NO) be considered a categorical variable amenable to a categorical visual display? Table of multiple choice questions Yes No Weight perception with values of underweight, about right, and overweight An individual’s weight measured in whole pounds Hair color coded as black, brown, blonde, red, or other Getting back to the study of body image, presume that the researcher actually has a random sample of 1,200 U.S. college students who were asked the question of how they perceive their body weight as part of a larger survey. The following table shows part of the responses collected: Body Image Student Body Image student 25 overweight student 26 about right student 27 underweight student 28 about right student 29 about right Here is some information that would be interesting to get from these data: • What percentage of the sampled students fall into each category? • How are students divided across the three body image categories? Are they equally divided? If not, do the percentages follow some other kind of pattern? There is no way to answer these questions by looking at the raw data, which are in the form of a long list of 1,200 responses, and thus not very manageable. However, both of these questions can be easily answered once the researcher summarizes how often each of the categories occurs and looks at the frequency distribution of the different values for the variable Body Image. Creating a table that presents the different values (categories) for the variable Body Image is the first step to take to summarize the distribution of a categorical variable. For example, the table below shows how many times the value “About right” occurs (count), and, more importantly, how often this value occurs (relative frequency) as a percentage. To convert the counts to percentages, divide the frequency (855) by the total number of observations (1200) to obtain the relative frequency, and multiply by 100 to convert to a percentage. Body Image Distribution Category Count Percent About right 855 (855/1200) * 100 = 71.3% Overweight 235 (235/1200) * 100 = 19.6% Underweight 110 (110/1200) * 100 = 9.2% Total n = 1200 100% Did I Get This What are the correct percentages for each of the two remaining values (“Overweight” and “Underweight”) for the Body Image variable displayed in the table below? Drag each percentage to its correct location. Accessible mode Screen reader users: use the accessible mode button above and use alt+down arrow to open the combo boxes. Category Count Percent About right 855 (855/1200) ∗ 100=71.3% Overweight 235 Underweight 110 Total n=1200 100% (235/1200) ∗ 100=19.6% ( 110/1200) ∗ 100=9.2% Page navigation • previous: Unit 2: Visual Displays for Categorical and Continuous Variables • next: Visual Displays of Categorical Variables: Graphical Displays • Go to page 16 © 2020 Acrobatiq
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Patient Preference and Satisfaction Worksheet-Grand Canyon University

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Refer to the “Patient Preference and Satisfaction in Hospital-at-Home and Usual Hospital Care for COPD Exacerbations: Results of a Randomised Controlled Trial,” in conjunction with the “Article Analysis Example 2,” for an example of an article analysis.

Module 5 Discussion Forum: Educational Applications

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This week’s discussion board post will be discussing educational applications and how patients/community receive information.

Initial Post:  Considering your gap in service (you may use your DNP project topic), identify and describe the evidence-based guideline that is not being followed (causing the gap in service). Once you have identified the guideline(s), identify how patients receive the information regarding the evidence-based guidelines. You must have at least two scholarly references.

Peer Response: Complete two (2) scholarly responses on your peers’ post including 1 reference for each post.

Discussion Forum Grading Rubric

Points Evaluation Criteria
27-30

points

 Participates with the required number of relevant postings of required length

Initial response posted by Tuesday night at 1159 pm and comments to two peers posted by Thursday night at 1159 pm.

No misspellings

Sentence structure is complete with no grammatical errors

Frequently attempts to motivate the group discussion

Accurately cites information.

Comments are logical and reflect critical thinking.

Comments must be more detailed than “good post.” “You did a great job discussing this and that.” You must critically evaluate the post and reply to your peers addressing the criteria for the initial response.
23-26

points

 Participates with the required number of relevant postings of required length

Initial response posted by Tuesday night at 1159 pm and comments to two peers posted by Thursday night at 1159 pm.

Few misspellings

Sentence structure is complete with few grammatical errors

Attempts to motivate the group discussion

Accurately cites information.

Comments are logical and reflect critical thinking.

Comments must be more detailed than “good post.” “You did a great job discussing this and that.” You must critically evaluate the post and reply to your peers. Addressing most of the criteria for the original post.
19-22

points

 Participates with the required number of relevant postings of required length

Initial response posted by Tuesday night at 1159 pm and comments to two peers posted by Thursday night at 1159 pm

Participates, but does not post anything that encourages others to respond to the posting.

Minimal grammatical or spelling errors are noted in posts

Opinions and ideas are stated clearly.

Comments reflect little thought “good post.” “You did a great job discussing this and that.” You minimally evaluate the post and reply to your peers.
15-18

points

 Participates with the required number of relevant postings

Initial response posted by Tuesday night at 1159 pm and comments to two peers posted by Thursday night at 1159 pm

Significant errors in spelling and/or grammar

Occasionally posts off topic

Posts do not meet length requirements
0-14 points Does not meet the required number of posts on time

Poor spelling and grammar appear in most posts

Posts topics which do not relate to the discussion content

 

Module 4 Discussion Forum: Interprofessional Practice Application of Nursing Informatics

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Telehealth and Interprofessional Collaboration

For the Discussion Forum, simply number and answer in short, concise scholarly writing, no need to include in-text citations because you are answering from one source. Please answer question five thoroughly, but a one to two paragraph answer is sufficient, first-person writing is appropriate. Use APA format to include the scholarly article reference at the end. Be sure to number your answers and use level one headings for the sections (EHR and Telehealth…) for ease of reading by your peers and course faculty in the discussion forum).

Telehealth is a rapidly developing mode of health service delivery in which nurses are playing a significant role. With the inclusion of healthcare informatics competencies to health professional education, the pathway for interprofessional collaboration has been opened. Please review the literature and find one scholarly article which introduces and explores the use of telehealth and interprofessional collaboration between the professional nurse and other healthcare providers. Please include the following information:

    1. Patient population the healthcare providers are working with.
    2. How telehealth is being used, format, system, etc.
    3. How interprofessional collaboration is occurring.
    4. Successes and challenges of the program.
    5. Your thoughts on the importance and potential application of a similar telehealth, interprofessional collaboration locally or in your work setting.
    6. Include the reference for your scholarly article.

Initial post: At least 2 scholarly references must be included.

Peer response: 2 peer responses with at least one reference each

Discussion Forum Grading Rubric

Points Evaluation Criteria
27-30

points

 Participates with the required number of relevant postings of required length

Initial response posted by Tuesday night at 1159 pm and comments to two peers posted by Thursday night at 1159 pm.

No misspellings

Sentence structure is complete with no grammatical errors

Frequently attempts to motivate the group discussion

Accurately cites information.

Comments are logical and reflect critical thinking.

Comments must be more detailed than “good post.” “You did a great job discussing this and that.” You must critically evaluate the post and reply to your peers addressing the criteria for the initial response.
23-26

points

 Participates with the required number of relevant postings of required length

Initial response posted by Tuesday night at 1159 pm and comments to two peers posted by Thursday night at 1159 pm.

Few misspellings

Sentence structure is complete with few grammatical errors

Attempts to motivate the group discussion

Accurately cites information.

Comments are logical and reflect critical thinking.

Comments must be more detailed than “good post.” “You did a great job discussing this and that.” You must critically evaluate the post and reply to your peers. Addressing most of the criteria for the original post.
19-22

points

 Participates with the required number of relevant postings of required length

Initial response posted by Tuesday night at 1159 pm and comments to two peers posted by Thursday night at 1159 pm

Participates, but does not post anything that encourages others to respond to the posting.

Minimal grammatical or spelling errors are noted in posts

Opinions and ideas are stated clearly.

Comments reflect little thought “good post.” “You did a great job discussing this and that.” You minimally evaluate the post and reply to your peers.
15-18

points

 Participates with the required number of relevant postings

Initial response posted by Tuesday night at 1159 pm and comments to two peers posted by Thursday night at 1159 pm

Significant errors in spelling and/or grammar

Occasionally posts off topic

Posts do not meet length requirements
0-14 points Does not meet the required number of posts on time

Poor spelling and grammar appear in most posts

Posts topics which do not relate to the discussion content

 

Gap Analysis Project

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A Gap Analysis is a method to clearly define the difference between a current state (or what is) and a desired state (what you would like it to be using evidence based guidelines) in an organization. First, you will need to decide on a potential gap in practice (hint, hint, your DNP project topic) for which a technological solution may exist or where informatics may be used to evaluate the gap and solution. The gap identified should impact patient outcomes. For example, vaccination rates of Tdap during pregnancy is low in a clinic.  Informatics could be used to evaluate the Tdap vaccination rates before and after the implementation of the DNP project.

A Gap Analysis helps us define plans to move to the desired state.

 

See the following websites to learn more about Gap Analysis:

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/gap-analysis.htm  (Links to an external site.)

https://smallbusiness.chron.com/write-gap-analysis-report-55720.html (Links to an external site.)

 

For this assignment, you will need to:

  1. Describe the Gap issue and why it is a concern from a patient or clinician or organizational perspective.
  2. Decide on the functional or performance related informatics tool or technology that you will be using to address the Gap. You must support this decision based on evidence and literature. This could be any type of technology that will be instituted to improve practice, efficiency, or quality.
    1. Examples of these types of technology might include systems for tracking patient information, staff scheduling, staff evaluations or competencies, patient monitors, computers on wheels, smart pumps, or some sort of telemedicine device for home or distance care. Pick a project that you will enjoy working with and thinking about.
  3. You will use the template provided as the organizational structure for your Gap Analysis document. For this assignment, you will need to complete the table provided in the template.

 

Gap Analysis- NU 716

Please complete the following gap analysis. This is a timely assignment and will help you work on your Needs Assessment in 796. As you complete the table below, make sure to include references and format the references following APA.

Project topic Impact of Topic to Patient Outcome Current state of practice Desired state of practice Actions needed to address gap Technology needed to address gap Implications to patient outcomes, organization, community, etc.
1.

References

 

Module 2 Discussion Forum: Building Blocks of Nursing Informatics

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Please submit an initial post and respond to two (2) of your peers for this assignment. Be sure to use the grading rubric provided. The assignment is worth a total of 30 POINTS. Please format the assignment according to APA 7th edition.

As you consider the role of nursing informatics in healthcare, you will understand why it is an important component of your education. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s DNP Essentials provide a framework for DNP curriculum. It defines the role of the PhD and DNP prepared nurse. We will be working through Essential IV, Information Systems/Technology and Patient Care Technology for the Improvement and Transformation of Health Care. The first competency states, “DNP program prepares the graduate to design, select, use, and evaluate programs that evaluate and monitor outcomes of care, care systems, and quality improvement including consumer use of health care information.”

As a DNP prepared nurse, you must be able to understand the evolving specialty of Nursing Informatics (NI) to harness and use the tools available for managing the vast amount of healthcare data and information. With the everchanging face of healthcare, it is important to understand healthcare information systems and how they can impact clinical practice and patient care.

This first discussion will assist you in working through this first part of Essential IV.

Initial post: From the readings, briefly describe the role of healthcare information systems in evaluating and monitoring health outcomes. Describe how these informatics tools impact nursing practice, patient care, and provider/patient interactions. Consider the use of these information systems in a completed DNP project or your identified gap in service. You must support your post with at least 2 scholarly references.

You must respond to at least 2 colleagues.

Peer Response #1: Identify and describe a completed DNP project that supports either the identified healthcare information system or the identified health outcome that was discussed in the initial post by your peer. You must support your post with at least 1 scholarly reference.

Peer Response #2: Discuss an alternative healthcare information system that might be used to monitor the health outcome discussed in the initial post by your peer. You must support your post with at least 1 scholarly reference.

DNP Brainstorming Project

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DNP Brainstorming Project Exercise

Answer the following questions using as much detail as needed to brainstorm your ideas. You may add additional space or mark N/A if a response is non-applicable.

  1. When you started the DNP program or as you have continued in the DNP program, what are you considering for your project? Why?
  2. Make a list of your favorite clinical subjects, topics, or diagnoses; and explain why you like them.  (Add additional lines as needed.)
Favorite Clinical Subjects Why I Like This Subject
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Favorite Topics Why I Like This Topic
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Favorite Diagnosis Why I Like This Diagnosis
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
  1. In your experience (personal or professional), what are the healthcare problems that frustrate you the most? Why? Think of this in terms of patients, families, populations, healthcare organizations/systems, policies, technology, colleagues, and so on.
Frustrations with Causes or Why?
  1. Patients
  1. Families
  1. Populations
  1. Healthcare organization/systems
  1. Policies
  1. Technology
  1. Colleagues
  1. Other

Next Steps

Using the highlighter function on your computer, review what you have read. Highlight the three ideas that you like the most. Write those ideas below using only two to three words. (Example: Distress in diabetics.)

1._________________________________________________________________________

2._________________________________________________________________________

3._________________________________________________________________________

Submit this assignment in the correct submission area. We will use these ideas to work on your PICOT question.

Notify the Course Coordinator if you have any questions or concerns.

Late work is not accepted unless an alternate submission date has been negotiated with the course instructor.

brainstorming Project Exercise Rubric Revised

Brainstorming Project Exercise Rubric Revised
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAPA 7th Edition Title Page 5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSelf-Reflection – Question 1

1) When you started the DNP program or as you have continued in the DNP program, what are you considering for your project? Why?

 20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSelf-Reflection – Question 2

2) Make a list of your favorite clinical subjects, topics, or diagnoses; and explain why you like them.

 25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSelf – Reflection Question 3

3) In your experience (personal or professional), what are the healthcare problems that frustrate you the most? Why? Think of this in terms of patients, families, populations, healthcare organizations/systems, policies, technology, colleagues, and so on.

 25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeNext Steps

Using the highlighter function on your computer, review what you have read. Highlight the three ideas that you like the most. Write those ideas below using only two to three words.

 15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeScholarly Writing

Used correct APA 7th Ed Manual formatting. Used correct spelling, punctuation and grammar.

 10 pts
Total Points: 100

 

N710 Module 5 Assignment: Visit to Public Healthcare Meeting

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N710 Module 5 Assignment: Visit to Public Healthcare Meeting

  1. Begin this assignment with an APA formatted title page.
  2. Review the Public Meeting Attendance Reflection assignment guidelines and Module 5 grading rubric for this assignment. There is no page limitation for this assignment.
  3. Select an open public, recorded, or livestream meeting that will address a local, regional, state or national healthcare policy. Attend or view this meeting and, using the template, answer the questions below.
  4. Submit your paper in the correct submission/assignment area of Canvas.
  5. Public Meeting Attendance Reflection REV SU21.docx  Download Public Meeting Attendance Reflection REV SU21.docx
  6. Module 5 Grading Rubric_Rev SU2021.docx  Download Module 5 Grading Rubric_Rev SU2021.docx

 

NU710 Module 4: Assignment B – Proposed Letter to an Elected Official

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NU710 Module 4: Assignment B – Proposed Letter to an Elected Official

  1. The purpose of this assignment is to provide guidance for generating a letter to request assistance from or share an opinion about a healthcare concerns with an elected officials.
    1. Review the YouTube video entitled Writing to Your Government Officials located under Resources to Enhance Learning 4 on the previous page.
    2. Choose a healthcare concern and select an elected official to whom you wish to address your concern.
    3. Draft your proposed letter using the correct salutation, formal writing and correct closing.  See the grading rubric below to assure success.
    4. Submit the proposed letter in the correct Canvas submission area.
    5. See the grading rubric for details to successfully complete this assignment.  Rubric

Letter to Government Official

Letter to Government Official
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAddress the Official using their correct title, name, and address 10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeProvide a courteous introduction of the concern in the letter 15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeProvide a succinct statement and review of the concern. Provide compelling data as needed. 40 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeProvide a complete closing with your name, address, email, phone number (you may use fictitious contact information). 15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCorrect grammar and spelling must be used in this formal letter. 20 pts
Total Points: 100

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Mid-Range Nursing theory

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Mid-Range Nursing theory

In order to gain more insights about nursing theories, this paper will focus on the mid-range theory and it will discuss the background of the theory, theory description, evaluation, and application of the theory in nursing practice.

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Background

The mid-range theory was developed by Robert K Merton. Merton was born in 1910 in Philadelphia, went to South Philadelphia High school. He started his sociological career at Temple University but the development of the theory started in when he enrolled at Harvard. His work is usually compared to that of Talcott Parsons since he admired his work as it introduced him to European methods of theory while expounding his knowledge on sociology (Hedström and Udehn, 2009). Merton based the mid-range range theory on the works of Emile Durkheim such as The Suicide and The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism by Max Weber. Merton noticed that theories developed by the early scholars did not focus on the social behavior and hence he came up with the mid-range theory which he believed would help in investigating human behavior with the respect to their social setting (Ahmad, 2005). While other theories focused on the society as a whole, Merton believed that mid-range theory would concentrate on human behavior rather than the entire society.

Merton has been opposed to theories that consider society in general and that tries to cover all aspects of the life. As a means of developing his theory, he advocates that sociologists are supposed to concentrate on measurable aspects of social reality that can be researched as a separate discipline rather than attempting to explain the entire social world. Additionally, his publications have also played a great role in the development of his work. For instance the Social Theory and Social Structure which was established in 1949, On Social Structure and Science (1985) and Science, Technology and Society in Seventeenth Century England. The books have also formed a platform over which researchers can reference their works from.

As stated earlier, nursing practice used theories from other disciplines while disseminating knowledge. It was difficult to develop a reliable methodology that could be used to conduct a research in nursing profession. Mid-range theory provided a methodology that helps researchers to develop a study that is valid and reliable. Mid-range theory provides an operationalized structure that helps in describing, predicting, and explaining the phenomena relating to the research question (White, 2000). This theory addresses the research hypothesis hence providing a clear way of responding to the questions. Additionally, mid-range theory provides a tool that test relationship of human behavior and the health outcomes.

Theory description

The mid-range theory has been essential in the nursing science since it is used to narrow the gap between nursing theories and practice. Mid-range theory uses deductive reasoning to facilitate the research. Deductive reasoning moves from more general to more specific. This system is referred to as ‘top-down’ approach since it works from the top and more complicated stage to the less complicated that can be well understood. Mid-range theory uses the deductive reasoning since it is a directive theory, which presents alternative solution and action models that helps in achieving the best possible end results (Elo et. al, 2013). Mid-range theory follows a logical analysis and synthesis. For instance, the theory develops hypothesis that is used to test the research question in the nursing practice. Then next step after hypothesis is observation; in this stage the researcher goes into the field to collect the necessary data which will be used in testing the hypothesis. The last step is confirmation; this step transforms the study from a theoretical view to one aspect that can be used to make conclusions.

A concept is the vehicle of thought and Leahy asserts that a concept is a complex mental formulation of the world perceptions (Leahy, 2005). The concept helps in formulating mental image about a situation. Mid-range uses various concepts that influence and determine the nursing practice and they include patient and nursing. Patient is the person who is the subject to the nursing practices; basically he is the client to the health sector. Nursing is discipline that integrates training of medical professions, how they can identify health problems, and how they can use research methods to provide a solution to the problems

The mid-range theory demonstrates adequacy since its scope associate any professional communication that helps in meeting needs of a patient at any level of the health care system. The theory uses the concepts implicitly in the sense that the nurse will validate the needs of the patients who are mute, who are cognitively impaired, and who are compromised by means of other than direct verbal communications (Stark, Chase and DeYoung, 2010). Another structural element of the mid-range theory is the statement that proposes a relationship between concepts. A nursing propositional statement represents the theorist’s particular view of how the concepts affect one another. In this case, nursing is expected to improve the health outcomes of the society. Due to the dynamic nature of the health problems, health professionals are expected to conduct research so that they can come up with the solutions of such problems.

Evaluation

Mid-range theory considers the human behavior and it concentrates on the social aspects in order to determine factors that affect their health. However, society is dynamic and there are various factors that affect human behavior hence it is practically impossible to meet all of them. Hence there are assumptions that guide mid-range theory; for instance it assumed that patients require the expertise of professional nurses so that they can meet their health needs. Second, each nursing situation with a patient is unique and they are dynamic. Lastly, the desired outcome of nursing is that the reports demonstrates adequacy of well-being of the patient (Sharoni and Wu, 2012).

A well-established nursing theory should integrate other several factors in the area of study, especially in medical researches. In nursing, paradigms provide the basic parameters and framework on which the knowledge of nursing is organized. Metaparadigm is a global concept that is specific to the discipline and the propositions that define and relate the concepts. Mid-range theory associates the four concepts namely environment, human beings, health and nursing. The nursing theory uses the Metaparadigm as the primary source of providing means of focusing everything that is inherently nursing while marginalizing everything that does not relate to nursing. Mid-range theory uses the deductive reasoning to develop its ideas and hence it concentrates on the four elements so that it can make findings and conclusions relevant to the area of study. Additionally, the nursing theory uses the metaparadigm for the analysis, developing of framework and provides a perspective of comparison of various nursing theorists.

The use of the metaparadigm helps in enhancing the relevance of the nursing theory. While other nursing theories generalize the situation, mid-range theory focuses on the key areas hence avoiding irrelevance. For instance the use of the four concepts of Metaparadigm are specific in nursing ensures that a medical researcher stay focused only on these four areas. This makes it easy to use and apply the theory. The concept and propositions are readily operationalized and the theory can be applied in various situations in the nursing field. The theory is oriented to results that are significant to the patients that is, the theory assists in qualitative research that indicates what patients want and needs and hence provides a means through which nurses assist them.

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Application

The major objective of the nurses is to develop and facilitate business in nursing industry. Mid-range theory has changed the perspective of nursing and it can be used in creating a new picture of nursing sector. The mid-range can be used to provide structure that is necessary for the nurses to enable them understand roles of nurses and what is required of them. The theory helps nurses to address the issues at the acute care setting and provides a way of imagining solutions to the challenges they face. The theory provides a framework on which knowledge acquired from the college is applied creatively and in a practical manner. The Nursing theory can be used in breaking down the boundary that exists between the theoretical knowledge and the nursing practice. Merton realizes that the values of practitioners, the philosophy and health perspectives are embodied in the practice and hence facilitating the concept of “doing what we know and knowing what we do” (Hedström and Udehn, 2009). Therefore, nurses can take advantage of this theory in order to provide better patient care.

Secondly, mid-range theory is part of the structure of the nursing discipline. It addresses the substantive knowledge of nursing by explicating and also expanding specific phenomena that are associated with caring-healing process. Health entails many issues and hence it may be inefficient to study everything at the nursing course level. The mid-range theory will break down the contents and provide a specific area to be studied as a means of enhancing specialization and nursing course hence enhancing professional status for nurses.

Third, mid-range theory is essential in researching since it has direct linkages to research and practice, and this is achieved deductively through synthesis of ideas and logical analysis of the observations. The theory has enhanced the development of research and nursing practice. The mid-range theory can provide a research methodology that helps researchers to develop research questions and research hypothesis. With regard to this, nurses in practice can take mid-range theory to develop practice guidelines on health matters. For instance the oncology nurses are situated such that they interact with the patients receiving thermotherapy. By using the mid-range theory, nurses may design a research to get the feedback of the effectiveness of their services. This will help them in extending nursing practice and contributing to the development of research on oncology. Mid-range theory is commendable since it can be used to structure research and also develop practice in nursing that builds the substance, organization as well as the integration of the discipline (Risjord, 2010).

Fourth, the mid-range theory is based on the metaparadigm of the health industry. With this regard, the theory helps in explaining how human behavior and the environmental factors affect the health of an individual thus the theory is essential in orienting the practice of any nurse working in holistic health care (Sandra and Timothy, 2013). The mid-range theory can help nurses to understand how human beings relate with one another and through the element of sociology; nurses are able to understand behavior of human beings. Therefore, they will be able to handle the patients as they will pay attention to the needs of the human bodies and this is important for the nurses caring or the patients experiencing chronic illness. Additionally, they acquire skills that helps them to handle special patients such as those experiencing life-threatening illness, and also illness that may disrupt personal or professional goals. Hence this can be used as a guidance of research and education for people willing to excel in nursing.

I can use the mid-range theory to examine the situations at hand hence I can use the frameworks provided by the mid-range theory to make crucial decisions in my nursing practice. Mid-range theory makes conclusions deductively and hence I can apply this concept in my workplace. By considering the problem, I can be able to use the system used by the theory to come up with specific solutions. Mid-range theory provides a framework of studying the behavioral change process and I can take advantage of this to understand the barriers to good health outcomes. This will give me chance of making interventions in the social and also environmental factors that influence health of a person hence I will be able to increase the opportunity for personal mastery and I will also develop professional skills so that I may deliver my services efficiently. Since mid-range theory emphasizes on the dissemination of knowledge on a certain discipline, I will use the theory to continue developing and evolution of the nursing discipline.

Conclusion

The use of nursing theories as a guideline to the evolution of nursing continues to be used on daily basis. The mid-range theory provides a framework for nurses on which they base their nursing practice on. However, nurses need to understand the mid-range theory better since it provides a foundation of the nursing practice. The theory should also be considered important by the tutors since it helps in generating further knowledge and it is an indication of the direction that nursing should develop in the future. Additionally, the mid-range theory is important since it helps nurses in deciding what we know and what we are supposed to in the health profession.

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Reference

Sandra, J. P & Timothy, S. B (2013). Middle range Theories. Application to Nursing Research, Third edition. Publication of Library of Congress.

Katharine, K (2001). Evolution of the Mid-Range theory of Comfort for Outcomes Research. Journal of medical Sciences. Vol 49 (2) pg. 83-92

Ahmad, S. A (2005). Theories and models of nursing practice. Cambridge University Press.

Leahy, K. P (2005): Foundations of nursing practice; Nursing process Approach, New York, W.B.Saunders.

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