Change Theory

by Kurt Lewin

The Change Theory of Nursing was developed by Kurt Lewin, who is considered the father of
social psychology. This theory is his most influential theory. He theorized a three-stage model of
change known as unfreezing-change-refreeze model that requires prior learning to be rejected and
replaced.

Lewin's definition of behavior in this model is "a dynamic balance of forces working in opposing
directions."

THREE MAJOR CONCEPTS OF CHANGE THEORY

 DRIVING FORCES
 RESTRAINING FORCES
 EQUILIBRIUM

Driving forces are those that push in a direction that causes change to occur. They facilitate
change because they push the patient in a desired direction. They cause a shift in the equilibrium
towards change.

Restraining forces are those forces that counter the driving forces. They hinder change because
they push the patient in the opposite direction. They cause a shift in the equilibrium that opposes
change.

Equilibrium is a state of being where driving forces equal restraining forces, and no change
occurs. It can be raised or lowered by changes that occur between the driving and restraining
forces.

Driving Restraining
Equilibrium
forces forces
THREE STAGES IN CHANGE THEORY

 UNFREEZING
 CHANGE
 REFREEZING

Unfreezing is the process which involves finding a method of making it possible for people to let
go of an old pattern that was somehow counterproductive. It is necessary to overcome the strains
of individual resistance and group conformity. There are three methods that can lead to the
achievement of unfreezing. The first is to increase the driving forces that direct behavior away from
the existing situation or status quo. Second, decrease the restraining forces that negatively affect
the movement from the existing equilibrium. Thirdly, finding a combination of the first two
methods.

The change stage, which is also called "moving to a new level" or "movement," involves a process
of change in thoughts, feeling, behavior, or all three, that is in some way more liberating or more
productive.

The refreezing stage is establishing the change as the new habit, so that it now becomes the
"standard operating procedure." Without this final stage, it can be easy for the patient to go back to
old habits.

Freezin
Change g
Unfreez
ing
Real Life Application

Through reading, comprehending, and analyzing Lewin’s Change Theory, I have learned
how important change is not only in nursing but also in other professions as well since it is a
non-nursing theory. There is a saying that change is only thing that is constant, which I believe
is true. One reason for it is because we always make something different from the way how a
 certain thing is originally. Nurses must adapt to a variety of radical changes in the way they
work, for instance how they interat with different patients.

Even though there are changes that are unplanned, it is still important that change is planned
to ensure that it is effective and sustained. However, before performing a change, we must first
undergo unfreezing. Because people naturally resist change, the purpose of unfreezing is to
create awareness of how a certain performance is hindering our work. Nurses must first
examine the behavior and way of making decision to know what change is necessary for the
profession. For instance, communication is essential at this stage so that nurses could be
informed about the change to be done and to know the reason behind it.

While in the step of changing, it is where nurses implement the change. This step is also
where they adjust and struggle with the new reality. A first, they might be uncomfortable, or
nurses have uncertainty and fear, which might be difficult to overcome, but as times go by,
nurses adopt to the new practice. This is also the step where they learn new behaviors and ways
of thinking, an example of this is when learning ways on how nurses can provide care to the
patients. Nurses should be reminded of the reasons for the change and how it will benefit the
nurses but also to the people who are involved.

In the step of refreezing, the nurses stabilize and solidify the change that they have
performed. Refreezing ensure that people, for instance, nurses to not go back to their old ways
of thinking or doings prior to the change that they had implemented. However, I believe that
change theory is a continuous process because change is constant. If we spend time freezing
new decisions, in the end, it would still be reevaluated and analyzed, and another change will
be performed in the future. But if we do not refreeze the implemented change, there might be
a chance that we would go back to our previous way of thinking.

Overall, I think that change theory is essential in nursing so that nurses can analyze their
decisions and behaviors and to perform their work better.

Reference
http://www.nursing-theory.org/theories-and-models/Lewin-Change-Theory.php