NUR 391 Professional Nursing Theory Individual Presentation

Arizona State University Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation requires students in NUR 391 Professional Nursing Theory to prepare and deliver an individual PowerPoint presentation on a selected nurse theorist or nursing theory framework. The assignment develops the ability to analyze theoretical foundations and communicate their relevance to contemporary practice.

Answer-First Summary
Select one nurse theorist or major nursing theory. Prepare a 10–12 minute PowerPoint presentation (8–12 slides) that covers the theorist’s background, core concepts of the theory, strengths and limitations, and application to current nursing practice. Include speaker notes, APA 7th edition citations on slides and a final reference slide. Submit the file by the due date and present according to the course schedule. Total points typically range from 15–25 percent of the course grade.

Purpose

This assignment enables students to demonstrate understanding of nursing theory as a foundation for professional practice and to communicate complex ideas clearly to peers and faculty.

Course Learning Outcomes

• Analyze selected nursing theories and their contributions to the discipline.
• Apply theoretical concepts to clinical and professional nursing situations.
• Communicate theoretical knowledge using professional presentation standards.

Requirements

1. Choose one nurse theorist or major theory from the approved list or course readings (examples: Nightingale, Watson, Orem, Roy, Leininger, Benner, or others approved by faculty).
2. Prepare a PowerPoint presentation of 8–12 slides that includes:
   1. Title slide with student name, course, and date.
   2. Brief biography of the theorist and historical context.
   3. Overview of the major concepts and propositions of the theory.
   4. Strengths and limitations or critiques of the theory.
   5. Two concrete examples of how the theory guides current nursing practice or research.
   6. Conclusion and implications for the student’s own practice.
   7. Reference slide in APA 7th edition format.
3. Include speaker notes for each content slide that expand on the visual content.
4. Cite a minimum of three scholarly sources published within the last ten years (seminal works may be older if clearly identified).
5. Deliver the presentation live or via recorded video as directed by faculty. Time limit: 10–12 minutes.
6. Submit the PowerPoint file to the designated drop box by the stated deadline.

Scoring Rubric

Why This Matters in Practice

Nursing theory provides the conceptual foundation for clinical decision-making, research, and professional identity. The ability to explain a theory clearly to colleagues supports evidence-informed practice and interprofessional collaboration.

FAQ

How many slides are required?
Eight to twelve slides including title and reference slides.

Are speaker notes mandatory?
Yes. Speaker notes must expand on the slide content and support the oral delivery.

Can I use images or diagrams?
Yes, provided they are relevant, cited if not original, and do not distract from the content.

What is the time limit?
Ten to twelve minutes. Presentations significantly under or over the limit lose points under the delivery criterion.

Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring centers on the transpersonal caring relationship and the ten carative factors that guide nursing practice. The theory emphasizes the nurse’s intentional presence and the creation of a caring-healing environment. Strengths include its humanistic focus and applicability across settings; limitations include limited empirical testing of some constructs. In contemporary practice the theory supports interventions that address both physical needs and the patient’s lived experience of illness. Nurses apply the carative factors when establishing trust during admission assessments and when supporting families in end-of-life care. Current literature continues to link Watson’s concepts to improved patient satisfaction and nurse resilience (Caring science and nursing practice).

Theory Application Examples

Effective presentations move beyond description to show how theoretical concepts shape specific nursing actions. Linking each major concept to a realistic clinical scenario demonstrates understanding and meets the highest performance level. Faculty look for examples that are current and relevant to the student’s expected practice setting rather than generic statements.

• Connect at least two theory concepts to concrete nursing interventions.
• Note any research that has tested or applied the theory in the last decade.
• Address how the theory informs the student’s emerging professional identity.

Slide Design and Timing Pitfalls

Students often overcrowd slides with dense text or exceed the time limit by reading notes verbatim. Clean slides with key phrases, supporting visuals, and well-prepared speaker notes produce clearer delivery. Rehearsing with a timer and refining notes to conversational language prevents these common deductions. Checking the finished file against the rubric before submission ensures all required elements are present and correctly formatted.

References

Watson, J. (2018). Unitary caring science: Philosophy and praxis of nursing. University Press of Colorado.

Alligood, M. R. (2022). Nursing theorists and their work (10th ed.). Elsevier.

Smith, M. C., & Parker, M. E. (Eds.). (2020). Nursing theories and nursing practice (5th ed.). F.A. Davis.

Sitzman, K., & Watson, J. (2019). Caring science, mindful practice (2nd ed.). Springer.

Construct and deliver a PowerPoint presentation analyzing one nurse theorist’s contributions and application to current practice for NUR 391.

Assignment NUR 391 Discussion Board: Theory Application to a Clinical Scenario. Select one concept from the theorist presented in class, apply it to a realistic patient situation, and respond to two peers with additional insights or questions. Initial post 300–400 words; peer responses 150–200 words each. Cite at least one scholarly source in APA format.