Patricia Benner's Theory Application to Nursing
Patricia Benner’s Skill Acquisition in Nursing Model describes the evolution of excellent caring practitioners. It is utilized in administration, education, practice, and research. It is the foundation of preceptor programs and continuing education. Nursing administration uses this model to develop career ladders, staff development, recognition and awards. Research has been based on this model. Becoming an expert in the field of nursing facilitates expert nursing care which is useful for society, therefore providing holistic high quality care.
Patricia Benner’s model utilizes the central concepts of: competence, skill acquisition, experience, clinical knowledge, and practical knowledge. She also feels there are seven domains of nursing practice that all pertain to our current nursing practice:
v Helping role
v Teaching or coaching function
v Diagnostic client-monitoring function
v Effective management of rapidly changing situations
v Administering and monitoring therapeutic interventions and regimens
v Monitoring and ensuring quality of health care practices
v Organizational and work-role competencies (McEwen, 2011)
As a Masters-prepared nurse we must:
v Understand the interrelationship between theory, research and practice in relation to the continued development of nursing as a profession. An avenue for all of us is evidence based practice (EBP). This will impact nursing practice, administration, and education. In the surgicenter where I work I completed an EBP project regarding post op nausea and vomiting in the Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Patient. This included a year of QA that identified areas that needed improvement. Through this EBP project we developed a practice guideline for all surgical patients that exhibit PONV. Through this we found that a multimodal approach was effective for most patients. This has had a tremendous effect on the impact of evidenced based practice and the outcomes of our patients.
v Becoming expert clinicians is essential in providing cost effective, high quality nursing care. This can be demonstrated by achieving national certification within our specialty area. At the institution in which I work we just celebrated national certification day, recognized all certified nurses. Becoming expert in our field by achieving board certification is evidence of Benner’s Theory. Expertise is essential in providing high quality care.
v The use and progression of this model allows one to become expert in their specialty area as a nurse which is essential in providing holistic care. In our facility as a nurse, we participate daily in Health Team Rounds, a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure high quality, holistic care for each patient.
v Utilization of this skill acquisition model in nursing across the continuum of care, will embrace our professionalism in nursing, as noted above.
v Utilization of this model and development of residency, preceptor, and mentorship programs is an effective way to integrate and support the nurses of tomorrow. Throughout the years, as an experienced nurse, I have taken on the role of preceptor for graduate and new nurses in my area of specialty.
v The natural progressions of this model to clinical and career mentors provide the nursing profession with an opportunity to shape the healthcare system of tomorrow and are key to the growth of our profession.
Patricia Benner’s model utilizes the central concepts of: competence, skill acquisition, experience, clinical knowledge, and practical knowledge. She also feels there are seven domains of nursing practice that all pertain to our current nursing practice:
v Helping role
v Teaching or coaching function
v Diagnostic client-monitoring function
v Effective management of rapidly changing situations
v Administering and monitoring therapeutic interventions and regimens
v Monitoring and ensuring quality of health care practices
v Organizational and work-role competencies (McEwen, 2011)
As a Masters-prepared nurse we must:
v Understand the interrelationship between theory, research and practice in relation to the continued development of nursing as a profession. An avenue for all of us is evidence based practice (EBP). This will impact nursing practice, administration, and education. In the surgicenter where I work I completed an EBP project regarding post op nausea and vomiting in the Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Patient. This included a year of QA that identified areas that needed improvement. Through this EBP project we developed a practice guideline for all surgical patients that exhibit PONV. Through this we found that a multimodal approach was effective for most patients. This has had a tremendous effect on the impact of evidenced based practice and the outcomes of our patients.
v Becoming expert clinicians is essential in providing cost effective, high quality nursing care. This can be demonstrated by achieving national certification within our specialty area. At the institution in which I work we just celebrated national certification day, recognized all certified nurses. Becoming expert in our field by achieving board certification is evidence of Benner’s Theory. Expertise is essential in providing high quality care.
v The use and progression of this model allows one to become expert in their specialty area as a nurse which is essential in providing holistic care. In our facility as a nurse, we participate daily in Health Team Rounds, a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure high quality, holistic care for each patient.
v Utilization of this skill acquisition model in nursing across the continuum of care, will embrace our professionalism in nursing, as noted above.
v Utilization of this model and development of residency, preceptor, and mentorship programs is an effective way to integrate and support the nurses of tomorrow. Throughout the years, as an experienced nurse, I have taken on the role of preceptor for graduate and new nurses in my area of specialty.
v The natural progressions of this model to clinical and career mentors provide the nursing profession with an opportunity to shape the healthcare system of tomorrow and are key to the growth of our profession.