A theory is a group or set of ideas intended to explain facts or events. Einstein’s theory of relativity and Darwin’s theory of evolution are familiar examples. Nursing theories may not have such well-known names, but they also serve as frameworks or structures to organize a body of knowledge.
There are three major categories when classifying nursing theories based on their level of abstraction: grand theory, middle-range theory, and practice-level theory. ADVERTISEMENTS Levels of Nursing Theory According to Abstraction
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 her book, Nursing Theorists and Their Work, Raile Alligood (2017) categorized nursing theories into four headings: nursing philosophy, nursing conceptual models, nursing theories and grand theories, and middle-range nursing theories. Nursing Philosophy.
There are many nursing theories out there, but here are some of the most common:Environmental Theory. ... Casey's Model of Nursing. ... Patient-Centered Approach to Nursing. ... Theory of Comfort. ... Tidal Model. ... Self Care Deficit Theory. ... Cultural Care Theory.
There are generally three levels of nursing theory, which begin with abstract ideas and become more specific according to each level. The three main categories of nursing theories are grand nursing theories, middle-range nursing theories and practice-level nursing theories.
Four major concepts are frequently interrelated and fundamental to nursing theory: person, environment, health, and nursing. These four are collectively referred to as metaparadigm for nursing. Person, Nursing, Environment, and Health – the four main concepts that make up the nursing metaparadigm.
According to the four concepts common in nursing theory; the person (patient), the environment, health & nursing (goals, roles, functions) can be analyzed. Each of these concepts is usually defined and described by a nursing theorist. Of the four concepts, the most important is that of the person.
It is based on the grand theory of Integral Nursing (Dossey). The mid range theory and the role of nurses as health and wellness coaches (with a national certification) enables nurses across the spectrum of care to support clients in their personal healing.
Over time, we used both Peplau's and Rogers' models in mental health nursing to conceptualize and structure care. We found both theories complementary; one serving as a grand theory providing a conceptual base, and the other as a middle-range theory providing a practical base for nursing practice.
Henderson states that individuals have basic health needs and require assistance to achieve health and independence or a peaceful death. According to her, an individual achieves wholeness by maintaining physiological and emotional balance.
Nursing theories are generally categorized into three different levels: ● Grand Nursing Theories — These types of theories are based on broad, abstract, and complex concepts. They provide the general framework for nursing ideas pertaining to components such as people and health.
Which type of theory most often guides present nursing practice? Middle range theory is a nursing theory that refers to a specific population or to a specific situation, thereby making the theory easy to understand.
According to Watson's theory, “Nursing is concerned with promoting health, preventing illness, caring for the sick, and restoring health.” It focuses on health promotion, as well as the treatment of diseases.
According to Nightingale, if nurses modify patients environment according to her 13 canons, she can help patient to restore his usual health or bring patient in recovery. Hence, Nightingale provided a basis for providing holistic care to the patients and it is still applicable today.
Self-Care Deficit Theory The theory would be effective in improving the quality of care provided by advanced practice nurses because it would give them the opportunity to educate their patients on the importance of taking care of their health.
The Environment Theory of nursing is a patient-care theory. That is, it focuses on the care of the patient rather than the nursing process, the relationship between patient and nurse, or the individual nurse. In this way, the model must be adapted to fit the needs of individual patients.
She was the first to suggest that nurses be specifically educated and trained for their positions in healthcare. This allowed there to be standards of care in the field of nursing, which helped improve overall care of patients.
A nurse’s role in a patient’s recovery is to alter the environment in order to gradually create the optimal conditions for the patient’s body to heal itself.
According to Nightingale, nursing is separate from medicine. The goal of nursing is to put the patient in the best possible condition in order for nature to act. Nursing is “the activities that promote health which occur in any caregiving situation.”.
Health is “not only to be well, but to be able to use well every power we have.”. Nightingale’s theory addresses disease on a literal level, explaining it as the absence of comfort. The environment paradigm in Nightingale’s model is understandably the most important aspect.
These assumptions are: natural laws. mankind can achieve perfection. nursing is a calling. nursing is an art and a science. nursing is achieved through environmental alteration. nursing requires a specific educational base. nursing is distinct and separate from medicine.
The model of nursing that developed from Nightingale, who is considered the first nursing theorist, contains elements that have not changed since the establishment of the modern nursing profession. Though this theory was pioneering at the time it was created, the principles it applies are timeless. There are seven assumptions made in ...
Nursing theories are organized bodies of knowledge to define what nursing is, what nurses do, and why they do it. Nursing theories provide a way to define nursing as a unique discipline that is separate from other disciplines (e.g., medicine).
Theory can also be used to guide the research process by creating and testing phenomena of interest. To improve the nursing profession’s ability to meet societal duties and responsibilities, there needs to be a continuous reciprocal and cyclical connection with theory, practice, and research. This will help connect the perceived “gap” between theory and practice and promote the theory-guided practice.
By defining nursing, a nursing theory also helps nurses understand their purpose and role in the healthcare setting. Theories serve as a rationale or scientific reasons for nursing interventions and give nurses the knowledge base necessary for acting and responding appropriately in nursing care situations .
These four are collectively referred to as metaparadigm for nursing. Person, Nursing, Environment, and Health – the four main concepts that make up the nursing metaparadigm.
There are numerous definitions of nursing, though nursing scholars may have difficulty agreeing on its exact definition. The ultimate goal of nursing theories is to improve patient care.
Grand Nursing Theories. Grand theories are abstract, broad in scope, and complex, therefore requiring further research for clarification. Grand nursing theories do not guide specific nursing interventions but rather provide a general framework and nursing ideas.
Phenomenon. A term given to describe an idea or response about an event, a situation, a process, a group of events, or a group of situations. Phenomena may be temporary or permanent. Nursing theories focus on the phenomena of nursing.