Theory can be defined as rules or principles that are used to explain a certain occurrence. It focuses on determining the reasons why a specific scenario emerges in a certain way. When it comes to nursing theories, these are structured frameworks that are employed to provide guidance in the nursing profession. The theories are addressed in order to address aspects of care, provide direction on professional practice in nursing, and provide a solid foundation for making judgments in the medical spectrum (Meleis, 2011). The Madeleine Leininger and The Sunrise Theory, which is based on transcultural nursing, is one of the nursing theories. The proponent of the theory was Madeleine Leininger who based her view on the impact of culture when it comes to the provision of healthcare services (Amerson, 2010). Transcultural nursing can be described as a section of nursing that puts into perspective the evaluation of culture in regards to nursing and health care practices and values. The idea is to provide efficient health care services to the nurses to the clients as per the cultural values and the context of the health issue. The theory highlights the significance of providing care that aligns with the cultural values, practices, and beliefs of individuals. Both the client and the nurse develop a strategy that focuses on the well-being of an individual (Amerson, 2010). The strategy requires the employment of both professional and general knowledge in addition to adapting the knowledge in the goals associated with the provision of care. Also, the care is aligned to suit the needs of the learners such that they benefit from the whole process. From a general perspective, both the nurse and the patient enter into a relationship whereby they identify, design a plan and assess every caring facet in regards to a nursing process that put into perspective culture. The approach puts into perspective the provision of a holistic approach that meets the needs of individuals (Amerson, 2010).
Concepts associated with the theory
Health
About the theory, health is defined as the condition of the welfare of an individual that is highly practiced, esteemed, and defined by culture such that it emulates the capability of an individual to engage in their day to day activities in their personal lives (Sagar, 2011).
Person
When it comes to the person, transcultural nursing perceives people to be compassionate and being able to show concern for the welfare, needs and the survival of other people. According to Leininger, the nursing profession should concentrate more on the relationships between nurses and patients while also taking into perspective other caregivers, family members, help groups, various cultures, in addition to organizations (Sagar, 2011).
Nursing
The theory describes nursing as a scientific and holistic profession that focuses on giving care to individuals in regards to activities such as support, assistance, facilitation and advice such that the health of an individual is well taken care of in culturally constructive ways. The care allows people to deal with their inefficiencies and death. In other words, the nursing profession is a phenomenon that allows the provision of care to patients (Sagar, 2011).
Environment
When it comes to the environment, Leininger does not bring it into perspective in transcultural nursing but instead uses aspects such as social organization, worldview in addition to the context of the surroundings (Sagar, 2011).
Application of the theory in the nursing profession
The theory is affiliated to underlying assumptions that include; various cultures tend to illustrate care in some ways, but there exist similar approaches in care from a global perspective. Aspects of culture such as language, the economy, education, technology, and the environment influence the practices associated with cultural health care; despite care being a universal facet in all cultures, there are various methods when it comes to actions and meanings in the delivery of care. In addition to cultural care being a holistic facet that assists in evaluating the health care provided by nurses (Purnell, 2012). Other assumptions include; care unique such that it may take place without necessarily experiencing cure; nursing being a transcultural phenomenon allows the provision of adequate services to human beings from a global perspective; when clients experience care that does not align with their cultures, they become depressed and uncooperative in the treatment process; and nursing will become congruent with culture when the nurse and the patient relate well such that there is understanding of interaction (Purnell, 2012).
The theory plays a significant role when it comes to meeting the needs of the patients regardless of their cultural backgrounds (Purnell, 2012). It is worth noting that people in need of medical care come from diverse backgrounds and hence exercise different beliefs and values. The view, as per the theory, is for the nurse practitioners to take into consideration the differences for the purpose of establishing a good relationship with the patients in addition to quality care such that they can build the proper rapport with the patients that eases the treatment process. Therefore, in the application of the theory to the nursing profession, the theory enables the establishment of a rapport between nurses and their patients' appreciation of the differences among the individuals in regards to their ways of life in addition to motivating the patients to take part in treatment as they can readily associate with the nurses without feeling limited (Purnell, 2012).
Another application of the theory in the nursing spectrum is that it allows the establishment of a program which is holistic in nature such that the needs of the patients (emotional, physical and spiritual needs) are met (Purnell, 2012). The nurse approaches the patient as a friend and an individual willing to provide assistance where necessary. The theory also applies to the formation of policies and rules in the work environment in regards to diversity or rather discrimination. It allows nurses to abide by the ethical principles and treat each patient with care instead of stereotyping basing on beliefs, values, religion, race and any other facet that is used to bring about discrimination (Purnell, 2012).
According to the theory, the role of nurses includes; identifying the cultures of clients; identify whether the cultural beliefs associate with the illness under focus; analyze whether there are home remedies taken by a patient to treat the illness, and identifying the general practices related to the culture of an individual. A nurse may also engage in self-evaluation for the purpose of being comfortable when meeting the needs of patients from various backgrounds (Purnell, 2012).
As stated earlier, one of the theories associated with nursing is the Madeleine Leininger and The Sunrise Theory that is based on transcultural nursing. Nursing theories refer to structured frameworks used in providing guidelines to be employed in the nursing profession. The idea is to provide efficient health care services to the nurses to the clients as per the cultural values and the context of the health issue.
References
Amerson, R. (2010). The Impact of Service‐Learning on Cultural Competence. Nursing education perspectives, 31(1), 18-22.
Meleis, A. I. (2011). Theoretical nursing: Development and progress. New York: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Purnell, L. D. (2012). Transcultural health care: A culturally competent approach. New York: FA Davis.
Sagar, P. L. (2011). Transcultural nursing theory and models: application in nursing education, practice, and administration. New York: Springer Publishing Company.
