For scientific research or evidence-based clinical practice of any competent nurse practitioner, a concept analysis may provide accurate guidance in cases when a sphere of interest is not clearly defined. Moreover, any existing concept may need elaboration if current research and corresponding literature do not match (Foley & Davis, 2017). Once a nursing concept is more elaborated, a nurse specialist may investigate and determine a measurement tool or a study design (Foley & Davis, 2017). Rogers offered the method of evolutionary concept analysis that “addresses contemporary concerns valuing dynamism and interrelationships within reality” (as cited by Foley & Davis, 2017, p. 70).
In other words, before the examination, a concept should be stated to avoid ambiguity or vagueness. There are seven phases of traditional concept analysis – the identification of a concept, the identification of relevant uses and surrogate terms of a concept, and data selection (Foley & Davis, 2017). The next phases include the recognizing of concept attributes, the examination of the antecedents, consequences, and references of a concept, the identification of related concepts, and the generating of the concept model.
On the basis of its theory, modern nursing encompasses multiple fundamental concepts that include illness, adaptation, burnout, health, health promotion, civility, compassion, comfort, empowerment, leadership, competence, engagement, palliative care, pain, self-care, life quality, and stress. Nurse practitioners work in cooperation with physicians to provide primary, acute, restorative, emergency, or preventive health care and medication administration. It goes without saying that nursing care aims to protect and promote mental and physical health for patients regardless of their cultural peculiarities, socioeconomic status, ethnic origin, spiritual beliefs, and individual characteristics.
For the assignment related to the concept analysis, palliative care was examined in detail. This nursing concept focuses on the delivery of health care in order to provide substantial comfort and improve the quality of life for patients with severe and even incurable diseases. The distinctive features of palliative care include absolute person-orientation, the coordinated work of various services, and its support of appropriate evidence-based medical assistance. In general, palliative care implies a compassionate, sensitive, respectful, and non-judgmental approach to patients regardless of the severity of their illnesses, age, personality, intellect, cultural values and beliefs, religion, and ethnicity.
From a personal perspective, the process of nursing competence analysis that was learned during this week was challenging and involving at the same time. Despite the fact that the analysis required a substantial literature review for the collection of essential data, its results demonstrated that the understanding of concepts is immeasurably beneficial for the nursing practice. All concepts focus on the fundamental principles of the science of nursing – the significance of the patients’ welfare, person-centered care and cultural competence of nurses, the cooperation with physicians, and the delivery of health care at the highest level.
It goes without saying that the analysis of other concepts will contribute to a better understanding of the principles of nursing for effective performance in the future. However, I understand that for the applying of the nursing concept in my practice as a competent nurse practitioner, I need to develop certain skills. For instance, the concepts of leadership, civility, and compassion, communication skills, and such personal characteristics as kindness and empathy are highly essential. At the same time, the concepts of competence, health, and modeling need observational and critical thinking skills. In addition, the concepts of resilience will require my physical endurance and a high tolerance for stress.
Reference
Foley, A. S., & Davis, A. H. (2017). A guide to concept analysis. Clinical Nurse Specialist: The Journal for Advanced Nursing Practice, 31(2), 70-73.