Critique of a nursing theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Critique of a nursing theory - Essay Example 19) to a situation where one requires assistance with the end goal of preserving and attaining a specified "health and wellness" (Johnson & Bayliss, 2005, p. 19). Given this definition, it follows that there exist theories on how such knowledge, skills, values, meanings, and experiences should be applied to a given situation. In this vein, there would also be theories on how these factors should be gained and learned. As one of the most celebrated nurses of all time and as the person who singlehandedly popularized nurse training, which eventually led to the establishment of nursing as a new profession for women (Attewell, 1998, p. 151), Florence Nightingale and her early theories on nursing are both fascinating. Hence, I have decided to write a critique on the Florence Nightingale's Environmental Model. The environmental model, it is clear that it was a product of Florence Nightingale's meticulous observation of her career as a nurse and that of others as evidence by the Notes on Nursing (1860) she compiled. This model, together with the notes, is enough proof that the Nightingale of her uniqueness in her time. Though borne by wealthy parents, she was different. According to Mary Garofalo and Elizabeth Fee (2010), She wanted a higher calling; she wanted to work; to use her intellect, her skills, her moral passion; and to make a difference in the world. She refused to be a subordinate to a husband; she was bored with the trivial lives that upper class women led; she had her destiny to fulfill. She told her parents that she wanted to be a nurse. (p. 1588). In spite of the reactions of her parents, she persisted. She wrote that her parents were horrified. "It was as if I had said I wanted to be a kitchen-maid" (Garofalo & Fee, 2010, p. 1588). Instead of submitting to the will of her parents, she persevered and after 9 years of struggling with them, she was eventually was allowed to train. This characteristic is just one of the many that I admire in Florence Nightingale. While I was researching for this paper, I thought to myself that if I only have an ounce of her determination, then I would achieve my dreams and goals easily. The environmental model maintains that the "manipulation of physical and social factors" (Johnson & Bayliss, 2005, p. 121) can significantly affect the state of health of an individual and the probability that such individual will eventually acquire an illness. The intent of the theory therefore is to emphasize that health and wellness can be adversely affected by how one's environment is managed or mismanaged. As Johnson and Bayliss (2005) themselves admit, though this theory was developed by the Nightingale more than 150 years ago, it is still relevant and as a matter of fact has created the standard for the prevention of illnesses and the restoration of health and wellness (p. 121). Specifically, she identified several factors that are present in a patient's environment and which have large impact on health and illness. These are pure or fresh air, pure water, sufficient food supplies, efficient drainage, cleanliness, and light (e.g., direct sunlight). What is interesting is that even not knowing these factors and without any knowledge of the environmental m

Oppression and Slavery Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Oppression and Slavery - Coursework Example Mental abilities of slaves are thought to be unequal to those of their white masters. What is worse, methods of dealing with them could sometimes resemble animal training ‘They are very grateful for good treatment if proper discipline and authority are kept up over them’ (The Farmers’ Register, 1837). Cruel punishments were regarded one of the most effective methods to maintain obedience ‘A powerful blacksmith named Hewes laid on the stripes. Fifty were given, during which the cries of my father might be heard a mile’ (Henson, 1877). As it is stated in the documents, slaves should be properly clothed, fed, and housed. Thus, slaves were not considered to be human beings. These were working units which required proper treatment and usage. What is more, slave-trade used to be a common thing in the Antebellum South. It could be used as an instrument of discipline which enabled slaveholders to manipulate Afro-Americans. ‘There was the fear that I mig ht be sold from those who were dear to me’, writes Lunsford Lane, a former slave (Lane, 1842). The main principle of attitude towards Afro-Americans may be summarized within the next sentence ‘the negro race is inferior to the white race’ (Fishel et al, 1976, 1970). What is more, the institution of slavery is posed as a remedy for black people. As stated by Fitzhugh, Christians are supposed to protect, support, and civilize black population. The author insists that to be a slave in the South is much better than to be a free laborer in the North. Finally, one of his statements seems to be a quintessence of cynicism and absurdity ‘The negro slaves of the South are the happiest, and, in some sense, the freest people in the world’. These words illustrate how wild and inhuman customs of the southern slaveholders were. Remarks on Overseers, and the Proper Treatment of Slaves.