Créate a reply to the following discussion as a DNP student, use at least 400 words, and different (from post) scholarly references no older than 5 years old

Reply to Will

Nursing practice must be grounded in mid-range theories to promote quality improvements and ensure evidence-based, patient-centered care. One such middle-range theory that can be instrumental in developing a proposed quality improvement project is the Empowered Holistic Nursing Education (EHNE) Theory, created by Dr. Katie Love. This theory emphasizes the integration of holism and empowerment within nursing education to enhance professional practice, cultural competence, empathy, and overall patient care outcomes. The EHNE Theory is a midrange theory that I would implement as it is relevant to nursing when considering quality improvement initiatives aimed at addressing the growing concerns related to the lack of holistic perspectives of health providers within healthcare practice (Love, 2019).

In addition to the EHNE Theory incorporating experiential learning and reflective practices, it also emphasizes nurse empowerment as a key component of effective education (Patton, 2020). For a person to experience transformational learning, they must have various experiences within their nursing education, which can facilitate a growth mindset and, ultimately, a change in their worldview (Patton, 2020). By fostering holistic and culturally competent approaches, this theory addresses gaps in nursing education where task-oriented clinical training often overshadows empathy and holistic care (Love, 2019).

In order for the EHNE theory to be effective, nurses must be educated on how to recognize relevant experiences and build on them for future patient care situations. The ability of a nurse to be successful is contingent on their ability to view a patient as a complete whole. That is understanding that the patient’s mind, body, and spirit are all interconnected in regard to their care. Understanding these concepts helps nurses develop resilience, emotional well-being, and empathetic skills to better care for their patients and themselves.

This theory aligns well with the DNP Essential I, which emphasizes integrating nursing science with other disciplines to improve healthcare outcomes (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], 2006). Essential II is also addressed since the EHNE Theory promotes educational models that promote resilience, empathy, and cultural competence, which have been identified as key elements of quality improvement initiatives (AACN, 2006). Essential VIII is also relevant as it emphasizes the importance of developing, implementing, and evaluating interventions that improve healthcare outcomes.

The EHNE theory focuses on a nurse’s experiential learning and emphasizes reflective practice in order to provide a robust framework for developing quality improvement initiatives that enhance their ability for patient-centered care through empathy and cultural competence (Love, 2019). This is especially relevant to those populations that are marginalized and vulnerable. By implementing the EHNE Theory, nurses can further leverage their experiential learning, thereby increasing their empathy, resilience, cultural competence, and patient care outcomes.

References

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2006). The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice.https://www.aacnnursing.org/DNP/DNP-Essentials

Love, K. (2019). Empowered holistic nursing education as the philosophical framework for an RN-BS program: A six-year impact evaluation study. Nursing Education Perspectives, 40(6), 358-360. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000000500

Patton, C. M. (2020). Phenomenology for the holistic nurse researcher: Underpinnings of descriptive and interpretive traditions. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 38(3), 278-286. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898010120919554