Using a conceptual model for practice in a nursing wellness centre for seniors

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Healthcare Practice Models

Background:

• Conceptual models are crucial for professional development in nursing.
• Defining nursing's unique contributions requires clear articulation of its core components.
• The nursing paradigm includes the individual (client), health, environment, and nursing itself.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the application and effectiveness of a conceptual model in a real-world nursing practice setting.
• To test the crisis model within a nurse-managed practice serving seniors.
• To assess how practice settings contribute to the evolution and validation of nursing models.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a chosen conceptual model (crisis model) in a nurse-managed Wellness Centre.
• Utilizing the practice setting to generate clinical questions and test hypotheses derived from the model.
• Observing and documenting the model's performance and impact within the senior care environment.

Main Results:

• The application of the crisis model in the senior care setting provided practical validation.
• The model demonstrated increased internal consistency and external validity due to its use in practice.
• The study confirmed the necessity of testing conceptual models in diverse practice environments.

Conclusions:

• Conceptual models, when tested in practice, mature and gain validity.
• Nurse-managed settings are ideal for refining and validating nursing theories.
• The crisis model's utility was confirmed through its application and subsequent refinement.