[Jen]

Theory and Framework Reflection (Maximum 250 words)

Choose one theory or framework discussed in this course. In your discussion post, explain how your research problem fits within that framework. Why did you choose this particular theory or framework? How might it help you answer your research question?

Respond to a peer’s post (Maximum 250 words). Choose one or more of the following when responding:

• Ask a clarifying question
• Offer a different perspective
• Share your reflections or describe how your own experiences relate to the chosen theory or framework

Post your response by 11:59 PM on Sunday. Remember to return to the previous week’s discussion post and comment on at least one other discussion post.

 

[Marissa]

In frontline healthcare workers exposed to traumatic clinical events, do structured peer support and debriefing programs reduce symptoms of PTSD and burnout compared to no formal support?

A strong theoretical fit for this research topic is the IHI Framework for Improving Joy in Work. The IHI Framework focuses on restoring meaning, connection, and psychological safety in healthcare environments. It recognizes that trauma, stress, and burnout are major threats to workforce well-being and emphasizes proactive strategies like peer support, team cohesion, and open communication.

The IHI framework provides a structured lens to evaluate how peer support and debriefing programs contribute to emotional recovery and resilience, targets the root causes of distress while promoting protective factors, and supports system level change.

I chose this framework because it shifts the focus from simply reducing harm to actively cultivating well-being. Trauma exposure can erode a clinician’s sense of purpose and connection, leading to emotional exhaustion and disengagement. The IHI Framework encourages organizations to listen to staff, identify barriers to joy, and implement systems that support emotional resilience, which are principles that are directly reflected in peer support and debriefing interventions.

By applying this framework, we can explore how structured support not only mitigates symptoms of PTSD and burnout but also restores meaning and community among healthcare teams. It could help in examining the broader organizational culture and how intentional strategies can rebuild trust, foster empathy, and promote healing after traumatic events. This framework emphasizes the importance of psychological safety, meaning, and connection in the workplace, especially in high-stress environments like healthcare, and supports a proactive, human-centered approach to workforce well-being; one that recognizes joy as essential to clinical excellence and sustainability.

[Ashley]

Well said! I think this is the perfect framework for your topic. I am very curious to hear what the barriers to implementation might be. Many practitioners “know” what they need to do for self-care but it often seems unattainable. It will be interesting to see if the formal supports help offset some of these barriers, or perhaps create new ones. There is definitely a need for more ownership for these issues at all the levels of the process, not just the burden of front line so I think its great you are tackling organizational culture. Best of luck.

[Jen]

Hi Marissa,

I second Ashley’s post! In reviewing your response and your interest in the chosen framework – I wonder if your RQ is more about what are key components of programs to reduce signs and symptoms of trauma and burnout in health professional? I look forward to reading your next post.

Jen

[Ashley]

I would be remiss if I didn’t admit that I feel very out of my depth here and am struggling to grasp the bigger “how-to” make these questions develop into something concrete. I was hoping to learn more about what nursing research is, how to get involved and where to access the best resources, not necessarily how to create the research. Thanks for bearing with me on this adventure.

Based on this weeks content and readings, I think an inductive framework will work best for either of my potential research questions as it focuses on building up a theory not actively testing out a core/foundational theory. There is little (to no) research covering the first question I posed and the second one is not much better. I believe the inductive reasoning approach is a great step – using my observations to recognize patterns which will help inform a conclusion (aka theory). I also feel like there are too few sources to establish a theoretical framework, as the base of the data set is undefined still. Therefore, I would likely lean towards a conceptual framework using visual tools to organize the data and develop the direction of research.

Question 1: How does school nursing support impact the child’s school experience?
Question 2: How do nurses working in home and community care access mentors and professional support?

[Jen]

Hi Ashley,

Thank you for your honesty about your experience and expectations for this course. By the end of this course you will meet your learning goals to better understand what nursing research is, how to get involve, and where to access the best resources. Enhancing our understanding of nursing research and learning how we as RPNs can lead, contribute to or use research is not a straight forward path, and sometimes we can feel a little overwhelmed or out of our depth. I am available for 1:1 virtual meetings if you (or anyone else in the course) would like to review or discuss the course content or activities. Just email me and we can make it happen.

Tip: Many researchers will write notes about their questions, feelings and emotions that emerge when they are beginning new projects or learning about a new topic.By the end of this course it may be helpful to look back at where you are today to reflect on whether or not you achieved your learning goals. These notes are also helpful when making decisions to participate, join or support a research study. Or when critically appraising research evidence to use in their practice setting.

Please note – I will provide individual feedback on activities at the beginning of each week.

Keep up the great work!

[Ashley]

Thank you – I definitely peaked ahead at the other readings and am feeling excited about what’s too come. I’ll keep those tips in mind.

[Brandon]

Hello Ashley,

I can definitely relate to the feelings you shared. It’s easy to expect research to go one way and then realize it takes us in a completely different direction. I actually find that to be one of the most amazing parts of this program, because it pushes us to see research not just as theory, but as something we learn by doing—through application, readings, immersion, and discussion.

I think your questions are a great starting point, and they already express themselves well to an inductive approach. The fact that there’s limited existing research in these areas actually makes your ideas worth wild, because you’d be contributing to a field that still needs more exploration.

[Jen]

Hi Ashley,

Thank you once again for your thoughtful and reflective post. Brandon brought forward a strong point about your inquiry contributing new knowledge and information to address and existing gap. I wonder if there are limitations to research on the child’s experience due to research ethics and if you would find more results if you searched nurses perspectives or parent/caregiver experiences. It will be interesting to read what you learn about one of both of these topics as we move forward into next weeks assignment.

Jen

[Brandon]

First off, I would like to acknowledge that the journal titled From novice to expert, was absolutely spot on. Working as an RPN since 2012, I have seen the many nurses transition from stage to stage. I currently also teach the PN clinical at our local college in the hospital, and can see their growth from student to co-worker. I have been teaching since 2017, and can effectively see the lineage of past students.

For my research project on research education in Ontario’s Practical Nursing programs and how it impacts RPNs’ ability to use evidence-informed practice, I think the Knowledge-to-Action (KTA) Framework is the best fit in this case. The KTA framework focuses on creating knowledge and then actually putting it into practice, which is exactly the gap my project is looking at.

I chose this framework because it lines up with what I’m seeing in PN education. Many programs don’t teach research in a structured way, which leaves RPNs feeling unprepared to use evidence in their practice. The KTA framework helps me look at both sides: what knowledge is being taught in schools (or not being taught), and how that knowledge, or lack of it, gets translated into the workplace.

This will help me answer my research question by giving me a way to identify the barriers (like limited curriculum time or lack of faculty support) and the things that can help (like mentorship, stand-alone courses, or more emphasis in the classroom). It also gives me a way to frame recommendations so they’re not just about “what’s missing,” but also about how we can take real steps to bridge that gap between what’s taught in PN programs and what’s needed in practice

[Jen]

Hi Brandon,

It was a pleasure to read your reflection of the The Brenner’s novice to expert model and it applicability in your work setting. The KTA framework is popular in health implementation science to close the gap between knowledge and doing. Evidence-based nursing practice integrates 3 key components: 1. scientific (research) evidence, 2. clinical expertise, and 3. patient values/preferences.

Your posts inspired me to reflect back on my own experience as a new graduate nurse. When I first started, I remember researching adverse effects of medication and nursing interventions for specific health conditions (e.g., Parkinson’s, MS, DM) – but the resources I would use as reference were mostly fact sheets, nursing and pharmacology textbooks.

Will your research explore if RPNs feel under prepared to use all evidence in their practice or a particular type of evidence?

Great work! I am excited to learn more next week.

Jen

[Megan]

Hi Brandon,
I am interested to follow your research topic. I often felt that during my practical nursing education there was something lacking when it came to research. Several classes would demand research papers, yet there was no course or lesson that explained the theory and frameworks behind scholarly writing, or its relationship to evidence-based practice.
I think a stand alone course that breaks down how nursing research is created and connected to implementing evidenced-based practice would be a huge benefit to future nurses.
Curriculums are always changing and evolving to meet the growing needs of what is required to become a nurse. Providing a solid foundation for understanding how to create, interpret, and apply research could really strengthen the up and coming nurses to be.
It was also an excellent explanation of how and why you chose the framework you did to support your research question.

[Marissa]

Hi Brandon,
Your experience as both an RPN and educator brings such valuable perspective to this conversation. I completely agree that From Novice to Expert captures the developmental journey of nurses so well, and it’s powerful to hear how you’ve witnessed that progression firsthand, especially through your teaching role.
Your choice of the Knowledge-to-Action (KTA) Framework is incredibly fitting. It’s not just a theoretical model—it’s a practical lens for examining the disconnect between research education and clinical application. I appreciate how you’ve framed the issue. It’s not only about what’s missing in PN programs, but also about how we can actively support RPNs in translating knowledge into practice.

[Helena]

Hi Brandon ,

I agree with Megan that your choice to use the Knowledge-to-Action (KTA) Framework is incredibly fitting to your research.

[Megan]

Hi Everyone,
My revised research focus is asking what the impact is of nurse to resident ratios on the safety and quality of life for residents living in long-term care homes.
I feel that this research focus fits well within the implementation framework model RE-AIM . One of the main reasons I selected this framework is that I found it to be the most approachable. I worked through the framework step by step as an activity.
R – the target population is licensed nurses; I feel this is a topic that would reach nurses working in long-term care as interventions could potentially improve their working conditions and improve the lives of those whom they care for.
E – the effectiveness of intervening to make safe nurse to resident ratios can be measured three-fold by surveying nursing staff, residents, and their families.
A- support from long-term care homes might be gained as this intervention could increase staff retention.
I-this intervention would need to be implemented in a gradual way to allow care homes time to hire and comply with new regulations.
M-this intervention could be delivered long-term if legislation was in place to protect residents and nurses; it could be a ministry standard to be evaluated and enforced.
Thank you for reading,
Megan S

[Jen]

Hi Megan,

RE-AIM is a population framework in implementation science. Did you know that it can take about 15 to 20 years for health research to be translated into clinical practice? Nurses can play a key role to improve the effectiveness and timeliness of moving research findings into practice to help shorten the translation timeline.
Well done!

Jen

[April]

I believe my research question aligns with several theoretical frameworks, primarily those focused on health behaviour, developmental psychology, and pain management.

With my revised research the accessing of how public health nurses’ efforts to reduce pain during childhood immunizations in children at 1 year of age during public health clinics aligns with the Health Quality Ontario’s Quality Improvement RE-AIM framework. It can help evaluate not just the effectiveness of the pain reduction intervention, but also, it’s reach, adoption, fidelity in implementation, and maintenance.

The RE -AIM framework is widely used model for evaluating public health interventions focusing mainly on five dimensions:
• Reach
• Effectiveness
• Adoption
• Implementation
• Maintenance

I choose the RE-AIM framework as you might integrate parent’s feedback into each RE-AIM dimension enhancing the assessment of the pain reduction interventions success.

[Jen]

Hi April,

Yes – there may be several frameworks to consider given a particular research topic. Good point. RE-AIM is an implementation framework so is a good fit if your research objective to help inform change. I am interested to follow your study!!

Jen

[Helena]

For the research question that I have chosen the KTA Framework works best
The Knowledge to action framework is designed to bridge the gap between research evidence and real-world practice. It’s especially useful in healthcare settings where we are trying to implement and evaluate interventions — like community resources that help nurses reduce hospital admissions.

This is the reasons why it works best compared to other models
SWOT is more strategic and organizational — better for planning than evaluating. Where as RE-AIM focuses on program evaluation, but less on implementation barriers. CFIR is great for implementation science, but more complex and suited to large-scale interventions and Theoretical or Conceptual frameworks are broader and less action-oriented. KTA gives you both a research lens and a practical roadmap for change.

[Author]

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