Is nursing theory important to the nursing profession? In particular, is it important for nurse practitioners? Does theory inform nurse practitioner practice? If you believe that it is important, explain why it is useful. If you do not believe that it is useful, explain why nursing theory is not necessary to the profession.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Significance of Nursing Theory in the Nursing Profession and Nurse Practitioner Practice
Nursing theory plays a crucial role in shaping the nursing profession and guiding the practice of nurse practitioners. It provides a foundation for understanding the principles, concepts, and frameworks that underpin nursing practice. In this essay, we will explore the importance of nursing theory in the profession and specifically for nurse practitioners, and how theory informs and influences their practice.
Importance of Nursing Theory
1. Guidance and Framework:
– Nursing theory provides a systematic way to understand and analyze nursing care, patient interactions, and healthcare outcomes.
– It offers a structured framework for nurses to assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care.
2. Critical Thinking and Decision Making:
– By studying nursing theory, nurses develop critical thinking skills that help them make informed clinical decisions.
– It enables nurse practitioners to apply evidence-based practices and interventions in their care delivery.
3. Professional Development:
– Understanding nursing theory enhances professional development and fosters a culture of continuous learning among nurses.
– It encourages nurse practitioners to stay updated with the latest research and advancements in nursing practice.
4. Patient-Centered Care:
– Nursing theory emphasizes holistic and patient-centered care, focusing not only on physical health but also on psychological, social, and spiritual well-being.
– It helps nurse practitioners build therapeutic relationships with patients based on empathy, trust, and respect.
Relevance of Nursing Theory for Nurse Practitioners
1. Advanced Clinical Practice:
– Nurse practitioners, as advanced practice nurses, benefit from a strong theoretical foundation to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care to their patients.
– Nursing theory equips nurse practitioners with the knowledge and skills required to assess, diagnose, treat, and manage complex health conditions.
2. Autonomous Decision Making:
– Nurse practitioners often work autonomously, and nursing theory provides them with the necessary tools to make independent clinical judgments and decisions.
– It empowers nurse practitioners to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and contribute effectively to patient care.
3. Professional Identity:
– Understanding nursing theory helps nurse practitioners define their professional identity and role within the healthcare system.
– It instills a sense of accountability, ethical responsibility, and leadership qualities in nurse practitioners.
Influence of Theory on Nurse Practitioner Practice
1. Evidence-Based Practice:
– Nursing theory guides nurse practitioners in adopting evidence-based practices that are grounded in research and proven outcomes.
– It encourages nurse practitioners to critically evaluate existing theories and models to enhance patient care.
2. Continuous Improvement:
– Theory informs nurse practitioners about best practices, emerging trends, and innovative approaches to healthcare delivery.
– It motivates nurse practitioners to engage in lifelong learning and professional development to improve their practice.
3. Enhanced Patient Outcomes:
– By applying nursing theory in practice, nurse practitioners can promote positive patient outcomes, enhance patient satisfaction, and optimize healthcare delivery.
– It helps nurse practitioners tailor care plans to meet the unique needs of individual patients and communities.
In conclusion, nursing theory is undeniably important to the nursing profession and particularly vital for nurse practitioners. It serves as a cornerstone for professional growth, clinical excellence, and patient-centered care. By embracing nursing theory, nurse practitioners can elevate their practice, contribute meaningfully to healthcare outcomes, and uphold the values and principles of the nursing profession.
