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NURS 600 Assignment 5.3 Theory Project Artifact for Nursing Practice
- NURS 600 Assignment 5.3
Artifact of Theories for Advanced Nursing Practices
Student name
Maryville University
NURS-600
Professor Name
Submission Date
Slide 1
This presentation covers the use of the General Systems Theory (GST) of Ludwig von Bertalanffy in nursing, especially the Theory of Self-Reliance of John Lowe. We will examine how GST helps in providing culturally responsive and holistic care, and how it applies to nursing theories, and the application of GST in a leadership position.
Slide 2
General Systems Theory in Brief
The developed theory of General Systems is the General Systems Theory by biologist Ludwig von Bertalanffy, according to which all living objects are open systems in constant contact with the environment. The relationships formed by the patients with the communities where they reside, as well as with the social systems, influence nursing the patients (Rodríguez-Pérez et al., 2022). The key concepts of this theory that are also significant in holistic care are feedback, adaptation, and equilibrium. GST proposes that consider the influence of different social, psychological, and environmental factors on health.
Slide 3
John Lowe’s Theory of Self-Reliance
The Theory of Self-Reliance by Lowe focuses on empowering individuals to manage their own health in a manner that is culturally acceptable. Originally, the theory was developed for assisting the Native American people, and it emphasizes the need to provide culturally sensitive nursing that promotes independence and decision-making. Nurses help patients by supporting their cultural practices as well as their medical needs during recovery (Matsuoka, 2020).
Slide 4
Relating GST to the Theory of Self-Reliance
By synthesizing GST and Lowe’s model, it becomes clear that health is a product of environmental and cultural systems rather than just biological ones. While GST emphasizes the fluid nature of patients and their societies (Wu et al., 2024), Lowe’s theory ensures that this systemic view includes cultural and spiritual depth, requiring nurses to practice with a holistic, systems-oriented mindset.
Slide 5
My Personal Experience with GST
I thought about my volunteering experience at a community health clinic that I had last week, to learn about cultural humility. Many patients struggled with language barriers, food insecurity, and transportation issues, which were often dismissed in a strictly clinical setting.
Slide 6
Using these concepts in Advanced Practice
In advanced practice, General Systems Theory (GST) provides a vital framework for addressing complex healthcare challenges. It posits that Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) must engage not only with individual patients but also with their families, communities, and the broader interprofessional team. In practice, this means nurse practitioners view patients through the lens of their social and familial structures, collaborating with social workers and advocating for policies that support marginalized populations. By adopting this systemic perspective, APRNs can improve care outcomes and identify critical areas for intervention, such as patient education, healthcare access, or care coordination (Adeyemi et al., 2021).
Slide 7
Conclusion
General Systems Theory is an important resource for today’s nursing practice. It fosters a caring that takes into consideration the patient as a member of a larger group of individuals and interactions. The Theory of Self-Reliance by John Lowe, it identifies that cultural identity and empowerment are significant in the healing process.
References
Adeyemi, C., Ajayi, O. O., Sagay, I., & Oparah, S. (2021). International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation, 2(3), 619–629. https://doi.org/10.54660/.ijmrge.2021.2.3.619-629
Matsuoka, S. (2020). International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 30(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.12822
Current Social Perception of and Value Attached to Nursing Professionals’ Competences: An Integrative Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1817. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8834898/
Wu, D., Lowry, P. B., Zhang, D., & Tao, Y. (2022). Patient Trust in Physicians Matters—Understanding the Role of a Mobile Patient Education System and Patient-Physician Communication in Improving Patient Adherence Behavior: Field Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 24(12). https://doi.org/10.2196/42941
Wu, M., Mai, J., Zhang, H., Zhang, G., Mao, J., Tang, Y., Yan, W., Wu, W., Hou, J., Liang, X., Liu, Z., Ding, Y., & Niu, J. (2024). Virology Journal, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-024-02584-8
