NR 501 Week 4: Nursing Theory Discussion Paper

Week 4 Nursing Theory Sample paper

A nursing theory is an organized, knowledge-based concept that defines the scope of nursing practice. The scope entails what constitutes nursing, nurses’ tasks, and the rationale for these tasks. The purpose of this paper is to describe the AACN Synergy Model.

Origin

The AACN Synergy Model can be traced back to 1996, when it was developed as a new framework for AACN’s certification programs. The model changed the assessment of nursing skills from a body systems/medical model that did not consistently align with the actual practice to a nurse competencies framework (Nania et al., 2021). The model originally centered on critical care nursing certification, but its founders acknowledged its potential for wider application to nursing practice.

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Meaning and scope

The fundamental idea of the Synergy model is that a patient’s needs determine the nurse competencies needed for patient care. Synergy occurs when the nurse competencies emanate from patient needs, and the nurse and patient’s characteristics correspond (Nania et al., 2021). Furthermore, the model is integrated into the ACCN certification program and is used to develop nurse competencies and certification test plans and to support certification renewal.

Logical adequacy

The Synergy Model as a guiding framework aligns nurse knowledge, skills, and abilities with patient needs. Applying the model is a means for nurses to convey patient characteristics and consider the impact on workload.

Usefulness and simplicity

The AACN Certification Corporation uses the Synergy model’s nurse competencies as the conceptual framework for the research and development of its certification exams. The AACN Certification Corporation carries out national job analysis surveys to ensure its certification exams indicate the current nursing practice (Cordon et al., 2021). Furthermore, various organizations across the US use the Synergy Model as a foundation for their work. The Synergy model is simple to use since the nurse competencies outlined in the model guide the questions on the national job analysis surveys. The results serve as the basis for the certification test plan.

Generalizability

The Synergy Model stresses the importance of aligning patient needs and nurse competencies to achieve the best possible outcomes and nurse satisfaction. Based on the model’s focus on context and the patient/nurse relationship, it offers a broader application within the nursing practice (Nania et al., 2021). It serves as the foundation for AACN certification programs, and its use has expanded to other nursing applications in various organizations.

Testability

Amenudzie et al. (2017) conducted a pilot project in an inpatient hematology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant unit to establish the feasibility of adapting the Synergy Model. The study found the Synergy Model to have high internal consistency, strong face validity, strong construct validity, and moderate inter-rater agreement. The pilot results revealed that the Synergy Model can be adapted to this population and that applying the model in an acute inpatient setting is practical.

How the Theory Could Be Used To Improve or Evaluate the Quality of Practice

The Synergy model can be used to improve the quality of practice in Family nursing as a model for nursing education and developing a Synergy Model-based graduate curriculum model for FNPs. It can also be used as a decision-making tool daily at every shift in inpatient settings and implemented by point-of-care FNPs to identify ways to improve nursing care to meet patient needs (Cordon et al., 2021). The Synergy model applies to the role of the FNP since it uses empowerment methods to support NP with change, supporting them to identify solutions that would work best for their practice.

Conclusion

The AACN model was developed as a framework for AACN’s certification programs. The model integrates nurses’ knowledge, skills, attitudes, competencies, and experience to meet patients’ needs. It is generalizable to various nursing areas.

References

Amenudzie, Y., Georgiou, G., Ho, E., & O’Sullivan, E. (2017). Adapting and applying the Synergy Model on an inpatient hematology unit. Canadian oncology nursing journal = Revue canadienne de nursing oncologique, 27(4), 338–342. https://doi.org/10.5737/23688076274338342

Cordon, C., Lounsbury, J., Palmer, D., & Shoemaker, C. (2021). Applying the Synergy Model to inform the nursing model of care in an inpatient and an ambulatory care setting: The experience of two urban cancer institutions, Hamilton Health Sciences, and Grand River Regional Cancer Centre. Canadian oncology nursing journal = Revue canadienne de nursing oncologique, 31(2), 186–194. https://doi.org/10.5737/23688076312186194

Nania, T., Barello, S., Caruso, R., Graffigna, G., Stievano, A., Pittella, F., & Dellafiore, F. (2021). The state of the evidence about the Synergy Model for patient care. International nursing review, 68(1), 78-89. https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.12629

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Preparing the Assignment

Identify your specialty area of NP practice. Select a nursing theory, borrowed theory, or interdisciplinary theory provided in the lesson plan or one of your own findings. Address the following:

Origin

Meaning and scope

Logical adequacy

Usefulness and simplicity

Generalizability

Testability

Finally, provide an example how the theory could be used to improve or evaluate the quality of practice in your specific setting. What rationale can you provide that validates the theory as applicable to the role of the nurse practitioner