NURS FPX 6105 Assessment 1 Learning Theories and Diversity

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX 6105 Teaching and Active Learning Strategies

Prof. Name

Date

Learning Theories and Diversity

A study delves into the importance of resilience in undergraduate nursing students and how educational programs can help build resilient practices. It highlights nursing students’ challenges, emphasizing the need for resilience skills to combat stress, impaired performance, and high turnover. The study also stresses the significance of nurses understanding educational theories, as it enhances their teaching abilities and enables them to employ effective teaching methods and strategies. Incorporating educational theories into nursing education fosters a supportive and engaging learning environment, promoting critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of healthcare concepts. Ultimately, this knowledge equips nurses to effectively educate and empower junior nurses, leading to improved patient care and advancements in the nursing profession. (Walsh et al., 2020)

Educational Theory for Educating Nurses

In the ever-evolving healthcare field, practical communication skills are essential to success. A comprehensive “healthcare communication skills” course for a diverse audience can be created. Whether aspiring nursing instructors are in leading educational institutions, staff development educators are in bustling clinical facilities, or patient educators are in hospital settings, this course will cater to the needs of healthcare professionals at all levels. (University of St Augustine, 2020)

By fostering a supportive and collaborative atmosphere, the audience can develop the necessary skills to communicate compassionately and confidently within the complex healthcare landscape. From active listening techniques and empathetic patient interactions to professional call etiquette and written correspondences, this course will empower healthcare providers to communicate with patients, colleagues, and multidisciplinary teams effectively. By mastering these essential healthcare communication skills, learners will enhance patient outcomes, improve interdisciplinary collaboration, and ultimately contribute to the overall success and satisfaction within their healthcare professions. (Ng, 2019)

As for the educational theory to guide the development of this course, the “social cognitive theory” fits perfectly. This theory emphasizes the influence of observational learning, self-efficacy, and social reinforcement on behavior change. Since healthcare professionals often learn by observing others and their self-confidence plays a significant role in effective communication, the social cognitive theory provides a solid framework for fostering skill development in this context. By taking this course, nurses can understand the importance of role modeling, build their confidence in using particular communication techniques, and employ learning in real-world practice. (Manjarres-Posada et al., 2020)

Justification of Applying Social Cognitive Theory for Educating Nurses

The Social Cognitive Theory is well-suited for improving nurses’ healthcare communication and active listening skills. This theory emphasizes observational learning, which aligns well with the complex nature of effective communication in healthcare. Nurses can observe and model the behaviors of skilled communicators, allowing them to develop and refine their skills through real-world examples. The theory’s concept of reciprocal determinism acknowledges the dynamic interplay between personal factors, behavior, and the environment, recognizing that effective communication involves individual traits and the influence of the healthcare environment and patient interactions. (Devi et al., 2022)

In the case of nurses, adopting the Social Cognitive Theory can enhance their ability to effectively communicate and actively listen to patients, thereby improving patient care. According to the theory, by observing role models who possess excellent communication skills and active listening abilities, nurses can learn and apply these essential skills to their practice. The theory also acknowledges the importance of feedback and reinforcement, allowing nurses to refine and reinforce their communication skills. (Gilissen et al., 2020)

Alternate Learning Theories

There are two more theories for healthcare communication skills in nurses: interpersonal theory and situational theory. Interpersonal theory focuses on communication dynamics between individuals, emphasizing trust, empathy, and rapport-building. Still, it may be less applicable because it needs to provide explicit guidance on skill development or strategies for addressing diverse communication scenarios. (Habib et al., 2020) The situational theory emphasizes adapting communication strategies based on the specific context or situation, but it may lack the detailed guidance needed for nurses to navigate various healthcare communication scenarios. (Im, 2021). In comparison, Social Cognitive Theory, which emphasizes observational learning and role modeling, aligns more closely with the practical needs of healthcare communication skill development, offering a more comprehensive approach for nurses to learn, practice, and adapt their communication skills in diverse healthcare settings.

The Diversity of an Intended Group of Learners

The nursing group learning about healthcare communication skills will be diverse, with members varying in age, culture, background, and experience. Nurses within the group could be as young as 25 or as old as 55, resulting in different levels of clinical experience. Consequently, their backgrounds and perspectives will also be varied, contributing to a rich and dynamic learning environment.

Why is Diversity in the Intended Group Significant

A study was focused on recognizing and valuing diversity in nursing students. With students from various ethnic, psychological, and sociocultural backgrounds, understanding and accommodating diverse communication styles and learning preferences is crucial in nursing education. While some nurse educators may initially hesitate due to concerns about time and energy demands, as well as a preference for traditional teaching methods, the study emphasizes the long-term benefits of addressing the needs of diverse students. Ultimately, it is seen as a valuable investment in the future of nursing. (Green, 2020)

A study outlines the benefits of diversity, emphasizing that it helps students develop empathy, enhances their understanding of lessons, and prepares them for a globalized workforce. It argues that diversity fosters critical thinking skills and contributes to learners feeling more confident, secure, and represented, preventing feelings of exclusion and inferiority. The conclusion stresses the positive approach instructors should take in instilling the value of diversity and cultural sensitivity, creating a welcoming space for a positive learning environment. The study advocates recognizing and appreciating educational diversity for its societal and individual benefits. (Varthana, 2023)

Evidence-Based Practice for Managing Conflicts

A study conducted at the Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, aimed to determine the conflict resolution strategies nursing educators use from students’ perspectives. A random sample of 435 nursing students from all four academic years participated in the study. The Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory–II (ROCI–II) questionnaire was used to assess the conflict management styles employed by educators when dealing with student conflicts. The results indicated that nursing students perceived the avoiding style of conflict resolution as the most commonly used by their educators, while the integrating style was the least utilized. It was concluded that there is a need for frequent training programs in conflict management and resolution for nursing educators to address student conflicts effectively. (Hashish, n.d.)

Conclusion

With a focus on the “social cognitive theory,” nurses can enhance their active listening abilities, thus fostering effective patient interactions. By understanding the dynamics of diverse populations, healthcare professionals can provide sensitive care and establish trust, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes. Embracing learning theories, such as the “social cognitive theory,” empowers nurses to evolve and adapt continually in an ever-changing healthcare landscape. 

References

Devi, B., Pradhan, S., Giri, D., & Baxodirovna, N. L. (2022). Concept of Social cognitive theory and its application in the field of Medical and Nursing education: framework to guide Research. Journal of Positive School Psychology, 6(4), 5161–5168. https://journalppw.com/index.php/jpsp/article/view/4243 

NURS FPX 6105 Assessment 1 Learning Theories and Diversity

Gilissen, J., Pivodic, L., Wendrich-van Dael, A., Cools, W., Vander Stichele, R., Van den Block, L., Deliens, L., & Gastmans, C. (2020). Nurses’ self-efficacy, rather than their knowledge, is associated with their engagement in advance care planning in nursing homes: A survey study. Palliative Medicine, 34(7), 917–924. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269216320916158 

Green, C. (2020). Equity and diversity in nursing education. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 15(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teln.2020.07.004 

Habib, N., Awan, S. H., Naveed, S., & Shoaib Akhtar, C. (2020). Effectiveness of Interpersonal Leadership for Engagement and Task Performance of Nurses. SAGE Open, 10(2), 215824402092442. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020924429 

Hashish, E. A. A. (n.d.). Conflict Resolution Strategies Used By Nursing Educators: Students’ Perspective. Www.academia.edu. Retrieved January 31, 2024, from https://www.academia.edu/11810243/Conflict_Resolution_Strategies_Used_By_Nursing_Educators_Students_Perspective 

Im, E.-O. (2021). Development of Situation-Specific Theories: An Integrative Approach. Situation Specific Theories: Development, Utilization, and Evaluation in Nursing, 49–65. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63223-6_5 

Manjarres-Posada, N. I., Onofre-Rodríguez, D. J., & Benavides-Torres, R. A. (2020). Social Cognitive Theory and Health Care: Analysis and Evaluation. International Journal of Social Science Studies, 8(4), 132–141. https://ideas.repec.org/a/rfa/journl/v8y2020i4p132-141.html 

Ng, L. K. (2019). The perceived importance of soft (service) skills in nursing care: A research study. Nurse Education Today, 85, 104302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2019.104302 

University of St Augustine. (2020, February 26). The Importance of Effective Communication in Nursing. University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. https://www.usa.edu/blog/communication-in-nursing/ 

Varthana. (2023, January 12). The importance of Diversity in the Classroom: 7 Benefits. Varthana. https://varthana.com/school/the-importance-of-diversity-in-the-classroom-7-benefits/ 

NURS FPX 6105 Assessment 1 Learning Theories and Diversity

Walsh, P., Owen, Patricia. A., Mustafa, N., & Beech, R. (2020). Learning and teaching approaches promoting resilience in student nurses: an integrated review of the literature. Nurse Education in Practice, 45(1), 102748. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2020.102748