Assignment:
OVERVIEW
This assignment provides you with an opportunity to demonstrate the ability to write a well-developed paper and apply a selected nursing theory to an actual practice situation. Your Theory-Based Exemplar Paper (TEP) Assignment needs to demonstrate the utility and application of a nursing theory.
INSTRUCTIONS
This is a formal, scholarly paper which must include references. Be sure to cite references for content related to your selected nursing theory. For example, cite other examples from the literature that demonstrate the use of the theory in practice and any other information in
your paper that is not your own work.
Be sure to cite these references in the body of the paper and on the reference page(s). All references cited in the body of paper must be listed on the reference page at the end of the paper in current APA format. The final paper must be 8 to 10 pages and utilize at least 4 scholarly sources. The title page and reference page(s) do not count towards the specified length requirement.
Use the following headings for your paper (in current APA format):
I. Introduction
Articulate your purpose/point of paper. Pull the readers in, make them interested in reading your paper, and state the purpose of your paper (what you are trying to accomplish).
II. Overview of Nursing Theory
For your paper, specify selected theory in your title (e.g., "Overview of Watson's Caring Theory"). Provide readers with basic information and concepts related to your selected theory (be sure to include pertinent primary references [written by the theorist] to the theory so that the reader may access this information for further exploration). This is not a "term" paper or "critique" of the selected theory, but you need to provide enough information for readers so that they can clearly understand the application and "fit" of the selected nursing theory to your exemplar/story.
III. Exemplar: My Encounter with M.J.
Adapt title/heading as you see fit for your exemplar/story. This section of the paper includes a verbatim (narrative) report of your patient/nurse experience that you will NURS 502 then reflect on when you discuss how this particular nursing practice experience fits with your selected theory.
For example, one student wrote an exemplar paper about a patient/nurse encounter that clearly involved the major concepts and elements of Orem's Self Care Theory. After sharing her story, the student was able to discuss how Orem's Theory applied to how she cared for her pre-op patient.
IV. Discuss Application of Theory
Highlight aspects of your "story;" explain how the story/experience fits with theory, makes sense, etc. Paraphrasing aspects of your story or the inclusion of direct quotes from the above section helps to validate how your exemplar ties into the theory.
V. Conclusion
This section includes the "take away" from your paper. What can readers conclude from your paper, your exemplar experience (e.g., your exemplar promotes use of theory- reinforces how your selected theory is practical, useful, facilitates improved patient outcomes, etc.)?
See the Listing of Selected Established Theories and Theorists in the Theory-Based
Exemplar Paper (TEP): Theory Analysis Assignment Instructions for theory and theorist examples to use in your paper.
Other Helpful Tips and Resources
It is highly recommended you obtain the articles listed below via Liberty University's Interlibrary Loan for examples of papers that share narrative stories that demonstrate application of nursing theory or provide information to educate nurses about promotion of better outcomes with patients. A few of the articles address issues related to peer review and publication. You may also conduct your own literature review of nursing research databases such as Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL) or PubMed (a free database) to retrieve other examples of articles that discuss application of nursing theory to practice.
Note: Although these articles fall outside the typical 5 year mark, these article provide good examples of the following:
What is meant by providing an "exemplar"
Recommended Articles:
Bultemeier, K. I. (2012). Nursing in Malawi: Nursing theory in the movement to professionalize nursing. Nursing Science Quarterly, 25(2), 184-186.
Capasso, V. A. (1998). The theory is the practice: An exemplar. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 12(6), 226-229.
Gigliotti, E. A. (2002). A theory-based clinical nurse specialist practice exemplar using Neuman's Systems Model and nursing taxonomies. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 16(1), 10-1.