At the start of the semester we learned the importance of research and theories in nursing. Noting, at its origin, nurses were using theories from other professions, such as psychology, medicine, and sociology to conduct our practice. However, without our own field of knowledge, specific to our profession, nurses run the risk of losing our profession all together. From this realization came the rise of numerous research models and theories formulated by members of the nursing profession. One of which being the middle range nursing theories.
Middle range theories often evolve from grand theories, clinical practice, or literature review, and are expounded upon for further knowledge. Smith and Liehr (2008) defined middle range theories as “a set of related ideas that are focused on a limited dimension of reality of nursing [. . .] composed of concepts and suggested relationships among the concepts depicted in a model” (xvii). Due to their limited scope, these theories are specific to nursing and capable of being immediately applied to both, practice and research. This can be noted throughout the assigned reading: Meleis focused on the effects of transition, Kolcoba researched the effects of comfort, Duffy
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In her theory, Duffy breaks down the aspects of both quality and caring, stating quality is a process of continued learning that involves full participation of the patient into the work of health professionals. While she noted caring is the process of establishing a reciprocal relationship between persons that exude positive emotions and the sense of being “cared for” (Smith and Parker, 2015). Allowing each patient individual participation in their health care, allows them to feel heard and appreciated, while at the same time allowing the nurses to provide meaningful
Three types of middle range theories are descriptive, theories that are at the most basic level. These theories classify and may contain one or more concepts that may have many commonalities but do not attempt to explain the relationship to another. Descriptive theories are usually found with discrete observations in associations with individuals, groups, situations or events. An example of a middle range descriptive theory is, Peplau’s theory of interpersonal relations (Nursing Theories, 2013) In Peplau’s theory observations are titled and categorized by what is happening at that moment.
The nursing profession is considered both an art and a science. An example of the science of nursing is the theory and evidence based practice guidelines (EBP), which influence a nurses practice. The art of nursing is fluid of bringing science and patient care into nursing practice. Nurses in all levels of nursing educational programs should study nursing theory. According to Eun-Ok (2015) theory evaluation has declined and it is essential to developing nursing knowledge; which, leads to the development of nursing discipline. Nursing theory should be continually evolving as current health care trends evolve. The best way to accomplish this is through incorporating theory in academia and nursing
Parker M. E., & Smith M. C. (2010). Nursing theories and nursing practice (3rd ed.).
According to Orem, nursing science is a practical science, in that knowledge is developed for the direct purpose of nursing practice itself (Barbara, 2011). The goal of nursing science is to look for an understanding of the actual realities that are concerning to nurses and the nursing practice (Orem, 2001). We can do this through both research and producing scholarly articles. “Nursing science is the science of which knowledge is developed for the sake of the work to be done” (Barbara, 2011, p. 44). Without the nursing science as the backbone of nursing, the nursing practice would seize to exist, or at least have difficulty staying alive. Nursing science offers nurses the knowledge, skills and competency to develop order and direction in their nursing care (Malinowski, 2002). Models of case studies, rules and standards of practice along with the various
Dr. Duffy’s quality-caring model is applicable and measurable. The four concepts of the model guides nurses how to care patients in the clinical settings. Recognizing different types of relationships provides an understanding of caring and promotes the quality of care. For example, I currently work as a telephonic cares manager at Humana. All my patients never meet me, which challenges me to build a sense of trust in the beginning. However, caring, honesty, and open hearted are ice breakers. When my patients feel the sense of caring, they are apt to open up to accept me.
Theory’s responsibility is to provide nurses with standards that reinforce practice, as well as, for future nursing understanding and delivery. Basically, it provides nursing professionals with a tested way of thought on how to handle certain situations with proven results. The importance of nursing theories to nursing research is the knowledge offered gives nurses the foundation for communicating with others and best practice. Middle range theory according to McEwen & Wills (2011, p 35) are theories that have concrete concepts, that are specific, incorporate a measured number of concepts and characteristics of the real world and are tested for accuracy.
& Willis, E. M. explains the middle-range theories were first introduced in sociology in 1960’s then were offered in nursing in 1974 focusing on emerging disciplines because they were available to introduce through research in compare to grand theories. Middle-range nursing theory was established fifteen years later, and is reinforced by repeated criticism of the summary of grand theories and their difficulties in use to research and practice. The reason of middle-range theory is to define, clarify, and predict occurrences that easer to apply in practical situations, and potentially to direct nursing interventions, change circumstances of situations to improve the care and potentially best outcome. Focus on middle-range theory is supported by theoretical framework for research studies, tested by research and use in practice, and scientific end product expressing nursing knowledge. (McEwen, M. & Willis, E. M.,
Since its establishment as a profession more than a century ago, Nursing has been a source for numerous debates related to its course, methods and development of nursing knowledge. Many nursing definitions and theories have evolved over time. Furthermore it is in a constant process of being redefined.
Walker, L.O., & Avant, K.C. (2005). Strategies for theory construction in nursing. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
To make good nursing decisions, nurses require an internal roadmap with knowledge of nursing theories. Nursing theories, models, and frameworks play a significant role in nursing, and they are created to focus on meeting the client’s needs for nursing care. According to McEwen and Wills (2014), conceptual models and theories could create mechanisms, guide nurses to communicate better, and provide a “systematic means of collecting data to describe, explain, and predict” about nursing and its practice (p. 25). Most of the theories have some common concepts; others may differ from one theory to other. This paper will evaluate two nursing theorists’ main theories include Sister Callista Roy’s
Because these theory are known to have direct linkages to research and practice Most of these theory are developed from research, observation and experiences I do believe that Most nurses will agree with me if I say that the evidence based practice is a main engine for health well-being .Middle range theory signifies a growth of knowledge development in Nursing. Middle range theories offer valuable organizing frameworks for phenomena being researched by interdisciplinary terms. These theories are useful to nurses and persons from other discipline in framing phenomena of shared concern. (Archive, 2015).Middle-range theories are useful in addressing the problems of nursing, especially among vulnerable populations. Although middle-range theories address specific phenomena within nursing practice, the theories are broad enough to be applied to a variety of patient populations, and across many practice settings (Mareno, 2015). The language of middle –range theories is that used in nursing practice to deal with patient care phenomena such as pain ,unpleasant symptoms, empathy, uncertainty, comfort, change, lifestyle health promotion, relationships ,and deliberative planning for
For nursing, research has played a major role in the way clinical practice is done. Research has allowed nurses to provide appropriate care to patients. It allows them to perform their job by providing them the tools and information they need in order to make the decisions on the concerns for caring the patient (Polit & Beck, 2006). Moreover, research can also take focus on the workers themselves in order to improve the practice both on a professional and personal level. An example of a study conducted by King, Vidourek, and Schweibert of University of Cincinnati created a study to determine if there is a correlation between ...
Paradigm is a sum of a person’s belief as well as the understandings of any facts and experience that he/she comes across. In nursing science, the paradigm addresses the most abstract set of central concepts include: the person, environment, health, and nurse perception towards a patient. For the nurse, paradigm creates a nursing frame work that “provides comprehensive perspective for nursing practice” (Alligood, 2014, p.45). Nursing theories are developed from this frame work and these theories are the guiding structures of nursing practice, postulate the focus for the delivery of nursing care, critical thinking, and decision making. These theories may develop from “a philosophy, a nursing model, a more abstract nursing theory, or a framework from another discipline” (Alligood, 2014, p.43).
McIntyre, M. & McDonald, C. (2014). Nursing Philosophies, Theories, Concepts, Frameworks, and Models. In Koizer, B., Erb, G., Breman, A., Snyder, S., Buck, M., Yiu, L., & Stamler, L. (Eds.), Fundamentals of Canadian nursing (3rd ed.). (pp.59-74). Toronto, Canada: Pearson.
Peterson, S. J., & Bredow, T. S. (2009). Modeling and role-modeling. In Middle range theories: Application to nursing research (pp. 235-251). Philidalphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.