Wiedenbach Nursing Theory

Nursing theories offer an organized and systemic way to express statements related to questions in nursing, providing nurses with the opportunity to describe, predict, explain and control phenomenon related to their practice (See Reference 1). The Wiedenbach nursing theory addresses the helping art of clinical nursing, identifying ways a nurse can meet the needs of her patient by individualizing care (See Reference 2).

Features

• Ernestine Wiedenbach believed there are four main elements of clinical nursing: a philosophy, a purpose, a practice and the art.

Focus

• The theory directs a nurse to identify her patient's need for assistance through observing the patient, striving to understand his behavior, identifying causes of his discomfort and determining whether the patient can solve the problem on his own or needs the nurse's help (See Reference 3).

Core Values

• The theory emphasizes reverence for life; respect for the dignity, worth, autonomy and individuality of each patient; and resolve to act on personal and professional beliefs (See Reference 3).

Benefits

• By emphasizing the importance of tailoring nursing care for individual patients, Wiedenbach nursing theory affirms the importance of sound clinical judgment for each nurse.

Application to Practice

• As an early theorist, Wiedenbach influenced many core concepts in nursing today, including nursing assessment, nursing process and nursing diagnoses such as self-care deficits.