Scientific and research based patient care is vital in order to get positive patient outcomes in the twenty-first century. Complexity, change, chaos and innovation theories have numerous implications for a nursing practice. Complexity theory gives a theoretical framework for the nurse functioning in a dynamic healthcare system interconnected with a variety of other systems. Nurses daily rely on the principals of this theory using their interpersonal abilities, hands-on skills, communication competencies, and other nursing practice components. They constantly adjust to the current needs changing from one moment to another.
Complexity theory supports the dynamic and multi-dimensional nature of healthcare connected to the holistic concept of nursing (James, 2010). The chaos theory, explaining how random events are associated with each other are used to predict future behavior of a chaotic system. The change management theory helps a nurse manager understand the influence of change on the organization, identify the change implementation barriers and opposing forces, therefore helping to overcome resistance and leading to acceptance of the change (Shirley, 2013). Innovation theory can also be a powerful instrument to facilitate adoption of a change in the nursing settings.
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"Complexity, Chaos, Change, and Innovation in Nursing Practice".
The transition to the electronic health records was one of the major changes I had to manage in terms of my own practice as a nurse manager. Though electronic documentation is beneficial in any healthcare settings, its introduction was related to numerous challenges and barriers. In order to successfully implement this project I had to identify and manage these challenges. Kurt Lewin’s Theory of change management (Shirey, 2013) offered me a strategic approach that assisted planning, introducing, and evaluating the change. Adhering to the three stages proposed by Lewin: defreezing , implementing and refreezing change, I managed to successfully implement electronic health records in practical settings.
- James, K. (2010). Incorporating complexity science theory into nursing curricula. Creative Nursing, 16(3), 137-142.
- Shirey, M. (2013). Lewin’s Theory of Planned Change as a Strategic Resource. Journal Of Nursing Administration, 43(2), 69-72.
