The Application of Peplaus Theory of Interpersonal Relationship in Nursing - Essay Example

Nursing Assignment Affiliation Peplau’s Theory of Interpersonal Relationship Peplau’s theory of interpersonal relationship has applied in nursing processes for a long time. Nurses use this theory to create constructive relationships between them and the patients. According to this theory, nursing process is meant to help the patients. The nurses to support the patients in identifying their difficulties and problems use this theory. At every level of experience, it is important for the nurses to apply the theory in order to be able to address some of the issues that the patients have. According to Peplau’s theory, the nursing process is an interpersonal process. The theory has phases that explain the processes of interpersonal relations in terms of nursing. In this paper, the exploitation phase of the theory will be discussed in relation to nursing. Exploitation Phase This theory explains that the nurses should use their professional skills in solving the problems that the patients have. Ideally, nurses are supposed to identify and resolve some of the problems that the patients have. However, the nurses must ensure that the services offered to the patients serve the best interests of the patients. In the exploitation phase demands that nurses must identify the actual problems that the patients have before providing any treatment. This means that the procedures used on a patient must meet the needs of the patients (Spector, 2008). In as much as the nurse acts as the service provider, the patient must also be involved in the provision of the treatment. The patient should feel as an integral part of the nursing process in this phase. This means that the patients have the right to make any requests to the nurse. This interaction helps in understanding the actual problems that the patients have. In this phase, the relationship between the patient and the nurse is exhausted, that the nurse is able to extensively exploit the difficulties and health needs of the patients. In addition, exploitation phase of the theory suggests that nurses should use principles of interview to fully understand the needs and problems of the patients. Nurses often use this phase to identify some of the obscure psychological and personal needs that the patients have. For nurses to be able to learn the actual problems that the patients have, it is important for them to engage into deeper interviews from which they may be able to identify all the problems and needs of the patients. For patients, the underlying problems can only be communicated after trustworthiness has been built between them and the nurses. Therefore, a nurse may form a close relationship with a patient as a way of identifying the problems that a patient has (Kwak, 2006). However, the exploitation phase is characterized by unstable independence of patient. The patient may not remain dominant, as both the patient and the nurse will play equal roles in solving the problems. During the phase, nurses must remain aware of the importance of communication. As the relationship between the nurse and the patient matures, the patient becomes able to exhaust all the possible ways through solving their needs and problems. For example, patients with mental illnesses require a penetrating relationship with the nurses. This relationship makes the nurses able to evaluate the patients and identify all the problems that the patients have (Spector, 2008). Equity Theory of Motivation The theory of equity help people to be motivated by feeling equalled to their referents. According to the theory of equity, the perception of equity helps one to be motivated to do or perform a task that is demanding of them. As people perceive situations to be unfair, they develop negative attitudes. The equity theory of motivation is used to make people feel that they are equal to others. Once someone’s perception is rising, one may assume that are equal and become motivated (Redmond, 2010) Many workers tend to compare their efforts to the efforts of their referents. Ideally, this makes people to think that they are treated unfairly compared to the other people. As people compare themselves to others, they feel that there are people who are being favoured. In addition, such people become demotivated in their endeavours until their efforts in rewards are equal as their referents. In order to be able to motivate an individual who feels unequal, the demotivated individual must be able to get equal treatment. Although people have different perceptions of what is fair and what is unfair. This means that the motivator must find a way through which he or she will compensate the person who feels demotivated (Cory, 2006). Using this theory, one may understand the reason why another person is demotivated. One can only work jovially when they feel that there is fair treatment compared to their referents. The motivation theory helps in identifying the areas where an individual feels oppressed. Motivating someone involves looking for approaches that make him or her feel that their efforts meet adequate compensation. In as much as one does not see any match between the efforts and the rewards, they may not have positive attitude towards their work. This means that people often want to do things in terms of what they contemporaries do (Cory, 2006). From the case study, John feel demotivated to work during the night. Although it is fair since other referents like him have also been on the night shift, he still thinks that it is unfair to work at night. This affects the output of his work as stated in the case, lack of motivation may make one to lose morale during his work. This has made John to lose morale and do errors in treating patients. In this case, John can be motivated by explaining to him that the rotation is mandatory and that the rotation is almost over (Redmond, 2010). Since the night rotation is mandatory, John may not get motivation by changing his rotation to daytime rotation. However, he receives rewards for his efforts so that he may feel motivated to work. Although he thinks that rotation is boring, compensation in terms of payment will make John feel (Stecher & Rosse, 2007).   Equity theory of motivation helps people to feel equal to their contemporaries. Although the equation may not be exact, people’s attitude on equity vary according to one’s perception and reasoning. Therefore, motivating someone means that his or her own understanding of equality must be deciphered. Once the person feels equal to others, they may have the perception that their efforts are not for granted (Stecher & Rosse, 2007).   References Cory, C. (2006) Equity theory and employee motivation, Buzzle, Retrieved from http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/6-24-2006-100325.asp. Kwak, A. (2006). The relationships of organizational injustice with employee burnout and counterproductive work behaviors: Equity sensitivity as a moderator (Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Central Michigan    University, 2006). Spector, P.E. (2008). Industrial and organizational behavior (5th ed.). Wiley: Hoboken, NJ. Stecher, M.D., & Rosse, J.G. (2007). Understanding reactions to workplace injustice through process theories of Motivation: A teaching module and simulation. Journal of Management Education, 31, 777-796. Read More