Question

Name 1-2 Nursing Theorists who most closely relate to your own definition of nursing and provide rationale.

Answer 1

What are Nursing Theories?

Nursing theories are organized bodies of knowledge to define what nursing is, what nurses do, and why do they do it. Nursing theories provide a way to define nursing as a unique discipline that is separate from other disciplines (e.g., medicine). It is a framework of concepts and purposes intended to guide the practice of nursing at a more concrete and specific level.

Nursing, as a profession, is committed to recognizing its own unparalleled body of knowledge vital to nursing practice—nursing science. To distinguish this foundation of knowledge, nurses need to identify, develop, and understand concepts and theories in line with nursing. As a science, nursing is based on the theory of what nursing is, what nurses do, and why. Nursing is a unique discipline and is separate from medicine. It has its own body of knowledge on which delivery of care is based.

Defining Terms

Development of nursing theory demands an understanding of selected terminologies, definitions, and assumptions.

Philosophy. Beliefs and values that define a way of thinking and are generally known and understood by a group or discipline.

Theory. A belief, policy, or procedure proposed or followed as the basis of action. It refers to a logical group of general propositions used as principles of explanation. Theories are also used to describe, predict, or control phenomena.

Concept. Concepts are often called the building blocks of theories. They are primarily the vehicles of thought that involve images.

Models. Models are representations of the interaction among and between the concepts showing patterns. They present an overview of the thinking behind the theory and may demonstrate how theory can be introduced into practice.

Conceptual framework. A conceptual framework is a group of related ideas, statements, or concepts. It is often used interchangeably with the conceptual model and with grand theories.

Proposition. Propositions are statements that describe the relationship between the concepts.

Domain. Domain is the perspective or territory of a profession or discipline.

Process. Processes are a series of organized steps, changes or functions intended to bring about the desired result.

Paradigm. A paradigm refers to a pattern of shared understanding and assumptions about reality and the world; worldview or widely accepted value system.

Metaparadigm. A metaparadigm is the most general statement of discipline and functions as a framework in which the more restricted structures of conceptual models develop. Much of the theoretical work in nursing focused on articulating relationships among four major concepts: person, environment, health, and nursing.

History of Nursing Theories

The first nursing theories appeared in the late 1800s when a strong emphasis was placed on nursing education.

In 1860, Florence Nightingale defined nursing in her “Environmental Theory” as “the act of utilizing the environment of the patient to assist him in his recovery.”

In the 1950s, there is a consensus among nursing scholars that nursing needed to validate itself through the production of its own scientifically tested body of knowledge.

In 1952, Hildegard Peplau introduced her Theory of Interpersonal Relations that puts emphasis on the nurse-client relationship as the foundation of nursing practice.

In 1955, Virginia Henderson conceptualized the nurse’s role as assisting sick or healthy individuals to gain independence in meeting 14 fundamental needs, thus her Nursing Need Theory was developed.

In 1960, Faye Abdellah published her work “Typology of 21 Nursing Problems” that shifted the focus of nursing from a disease-centered approach to a patient-centered approach.

In 1962, Ida Jean Orlando emphasized the reciprocal relationship between patient and nurse and viewed the professional function of nursing as finding out and meeting the patient’s immediate need for help.

In 1968, Dorothy Johnson pioneered the Behavioral System Model and upheld the fostering of efficient and effective behavioral functioning in the patient to prevent illness.

In 1970, Martha Rogers viewed nursing as both a science and an art as it provides a way to view the unitary human being, who is integral with the universe.

In 1971, Dorothea Orem states in her theory that nursing care is required if the client is unable to fulfill biological, psychological, developmental, or social needs.

In 1971, Imogene King‘s Theory of Goal attainment states that the nurse is considered part of the patient’s environment and the nurse-patient relationship is for meeting goals towards good health.

In 1972, Betty Neuman in her theory states that many needs exist, and each may disrupt client balance or stability. Stress reduction is the goal of the system model of nursing practice.

In 1979, Sr. Callista Roy viewed the individual as a set of interrelated systems who strives to maintain the balance between these various stimuli.

In 1979, Jean Watson developed the philosophy of caring highlighted humanistic aspects of nursing as they intertwine with scientific knowledge and nursing practice.

The Nursing Metaparadigm

There are four major concepts that are frequently interrelated and fundamental to nursing theory: person, environment, health, and nursing. These four are collectively referred to as metaparadigm for nursing.

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