Nursing theory is defined as "a creative and conscientious structuring of ideas that project a tentative, purposeful, and systematic view of phenomena". Through systematic inquiry in research and practice, nursing theory helps organize knowledge to improve patient care. In general terms, theory refers to a coherent set of concepts and propositions used to explain phenomena.

Importance

Early nursing had limited formalized knowledge. As nurse education developed, the need to systematize knowledge led to the development of nursing theory to help nurses evaluate increasingly complex care situations.

Nursing theories provide a reflective framework to guide assessment, decision-making, and evaluation in practice. As new situations are encountered, this framework provides an arrangement for management, investigation and decision-making. Nursing theories also administer a structure for communicating with other nurses and with other representatives and members of the health care team. Nursing theories assist the development of nursing in formulating beliefs, values and goals. They help to define the different particular contribution of nursing with the care of clients. Nursing theory guides research and practice.

Borrowed and shared theories

Not all theories in nursing are unique nursing theories; many are borrowed or shared with other disciplines. Theories developed by Neuman, Watson, Parse, Orlando and Peplau are considered unique to nursing.

Theories and concepts that originated in related sciences have been borrowed by nurses to explain and explore phenomena specific to nursing.

Types

Grand nursing theories

Grand nursing theories have the broadest scope and present general concepts and propositions. Theories at this level may both reflect and provide insights useful for practice but are not designed for empirical testing. This limits the use of grand nursing theories for directing, explaining, and predicting nursing in particular situations. However, these theories may include concepts that lend themselves to empirical testing. The functions of middle-range theories include describing, explaining, or predicting phenomena. Middle-range theories are generally more concrete than grand theories and consider a limited number of variables and a narrower aspect of reality.

  • Alison Kitson, Kerry Kuluski, Louise Locock, Renee Lyons, Tiffany Conroy: Fundamentals of Care (FoC)
  • Helen Erickson: Modeling and Role Modeling Theory
  • Hildegard Peplau: Theory of interpersonal relations
  • Imogene King: Theory of Goal Attainment
  • Isabel Hampton Robb: Nursing Education
  • Jean Watson: The Theory of Human Caring
  • Kari Martinsen: Adequate care must involve both objective observation and perceptive response.
  • Katharine Kolcaba: Theory of Comfort
  • Katie Love: Empowered Holistic Nursing Education
  • Madeleine Leininger: Transcultural Nursing Theory
  • Margaret Newman: Health as Expanding Consciousness
  • Marie Manthey: Primary Nursing
  • Martha E. Rogers: Science of unitary human beings
  • Phil Barker: Tidal Model
  • Ramona T Mercer: Maternal role attainment theory
  • Virginia Henderson: Henderson's need theory

Purposely omitted from this list is Florence Nightingale. Nightingale never actually formulated a theory of nursing science but was posthumously accredited with formulating some by others who categorized her personal journaling and communications into a theoretical framework.

Also not included are the many nurses who improved on these theorists' ideas without developing their own theoretical vision.

Emerging Nursing Theorists

New ideas are bound to emerge as the path has been set by notable nursing theorists. While some of these theories are still evolving, they have the potential to soon shape the future of nursing practice.

  • Afaf Meleis: Transitions Theory

A middle-range nursing theory addressing the process of navigating life changes and health challenges. The theory emphasizes the nurse's role in helping others to positively adapt to change, prepare them for transitions, and secure their well-being. Transitions are seen as processes with stages influenced by various factors and supported through intervention strategies. This theory can be applied in developmental, situational, health-related, and organizational situations.

See also

  • Nursing
  • Nursing assessment
  • Nursing process
  • Nursing research

References

  • Nursing theory - history and modernity. Prominent theories of nursing.
  • Nursing Theories - a companion to nursing theories and models
  • Nursing Theory and Theorists
  • Nursing Theory Page
  • Nursing Theories and Sub-Theories
  • Nurses.info
  • Nightingale's Notes on Nursing at project Gutenberg