Virtue Theory: Florence Nightingale's Approach to Nursing

Florence Nightingale was noted for her adherence to what is now called ôVirtue Theoryö within the field of nursing care. Virtue theory holds that the nursing profession carries with it certain moral obligations, as it has a moral influence upon patients and other health care workers. The ethical application of virtue theory to the practicalities of nursing characterised NightingaleÆs contribution to the medical profession. Although best remembered as the Crimean WarÆs ôLady of the Lampö, Florence NightingaleÆs influence upon nursing was far further reaching. She was instrumental in the establishment of various policies and procedures which addressed the four key aspects of virtue theory û nursing duty of care, environmental health, promotion of patient welfare beyond physical treatments, and nurses as community role-models. Nightingale was active in the development of the practical applications of virtue theory in the fields of clinical, hospital, surgical and home care.

(i) An Introduction to Virtue Theory:

Virtue theory is built on the premise that nursing services should be provided in response to internal, values-based motivation within each individual. The theory holds that nurses should seek to uphold traditional, social morals in their provision of health care, and measures nursing practices against a pre-conceived, ôidealö standard, which was first defined by Nightingale herself.

. . .
rpin virtue theory. (ii) Applying Virtue Theory: A Hypothetical Case Study: Virtue theory influences patient care through the nursing process in four key ways, as stated previously. These have implications for the treatment of all patients. In this study, we will consider the hypothetical case of a geriatric patient. Patient Profile: Doug is an eighty-one year old resident of an aged care hostel. He enjoys his personal space in his two-room bed-sitter style accommodation, but requires daily personal care. Doug is a diabetic, a late onset condition which was diagnosed in his early sixties. He is able to manage the condition through diet alone, and is not insulin dependent. Doug has suffered three myocardial infarctions of high magnitude, and the third left him clinically dead before he was revived with a defibrillator. He also suffers moderate visual impairment, insomnia, periodic bladder incontinence and has a lot of trouble with his dentures. He never has any visitors. Doug has demonstrated an increasing degree of aggression toward staff and other residents, and has been diagnosed with stress-related ulceration of the stomach. Implementing Virtue Theory: (A) Delivering professional health care û Doug requires daily po
. . .

Some common words found in the essay are:
Theory Delivering, Florence Nightingale, Florence NightingaleÆs, Observation DougÆs, Oathö Johnstone, Profile Doug, Theory Virtue, Crisp Slote, Crimean War, virtue theory, Study Virtue, health care, florence nightingale, environmental health, duty care, nursing care, grant 2002, crisp slote, personal care, florence nightingaleÆs, welfare beyond physical, virtue theory nursing, nurses community role-models, beyond physical treatments, patient welfare beyond,
Approximate Word count = 1985
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page)

More Essays on Virtue Theory: Florence Nightingale Approach to Nursing