Nursing Theory
Vanessa McDaniel
Tennessee State University Theory
Theory is a belief that is guided by ideas and facts that are related to a particular study to explain things not easily seen in depth. According to Ingram (1991), “theory is a set of concepts, definitions, and propositions that projects a view of phenomena by designating specific interrelationships among concepts for purposes of describing, explaining, and predicting phenomena” (p.351). The way I define theory compared to the way Ingram define theory is the same but worded differently. Our views on what theory means is similar. “ In early days, theory was expected to be obscure. If it was clearly understandable, it wasn’t considered a very good theory” (McEwen and Wills,
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“Theory arises out of practice and, once validated, returns to direct or explain that practice and that further practice under guidance of a given theory leads to theory refinement” (Ingram, 1991, p.352). Nursing theory is like trail and error. “The use of nursing theory leads to coordinated and less fragmented care” (McEwen and Wills, 2014, p.25). Theory in nursing helps improve nursing practice problems, by setting goals guided by ideas and facts collected. According to McEwen and Wills (2014), “It was believed that conceptual models and theories could create mechanism by which nurses would communicate their professional convictions, provide a moral/ethical structure to guide actions, and foster a means of systematic thinking about nursing and its practice” (p.25). Theories help recognize key components in nursing practice and set goals to improve nursing practice, which helps nurses deliver evidence based care. “Theories make nursing practice more overtly purposeful by stating not only the focus of practice but also specific goals and outcomes” (McEwen and Wills, 2014, …show more content…
According to Ingram (1991) “ nursing theory should lead to enhance nursing practice, and therefore better patient care” (p.351). Without theory nursing will be set tasks without critical thinking and understanding why you are doing certain tasks. “ Nursing practice was generally prescribed by others and highlighted by traditional, ritualistic tasks with little regard to rational. The initial work of nursing theorist was aimed at clarifying the complex intellectual and interactional domains that distinguish expert nursing practice from the mere doing tasks” (McEwen and Wills, 2014, p.25). Nursing theory serves many purposes that are pertinent in nursing. “Theory provides knowledge; enhances nursing’s power; aids deliberate action and provides rationale when challenged, and provides professional autonomy by guiding practice, education and research” (Ingram, 1991, p.351). Theories also help in the argument that nursing should be recognized as a profession. “Theories define and clarify nursing and the purpose of nursing practice to distinguish it from other caring professions by setting professional boundaries” (McEwen and Wills, 2014,
Ziegler, S.M. (2005). Theory-driven nursing practice. (2nd Ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company, Inc.
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.).
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.
Nursing theories developed by scientists provide a framework for the process of establishing nursing as a profession with a specific body of knowledge including nursing language, and nurse is able to communicate inside in and outside of the profession. Theory supports and defines nursing practice and is used in practice situation to provide solution to the problem, provides guidelines in patient’s quality care, and helps to resolve nursing challenges. The benefits of middle-range theories found primarily in the research studies to address particular client population, in education, patient
Walker, L.O., & Avant, K.C. (2005). Strategies for theory construction in nursing. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Walker, L. O., & Avant, K. C. (1995). Strategies for theory construction in nursing (3rd ed.). Norwalk, CT:
As I have progressed through this semester learning about numerous nursing philosophers, I have poured over the readings trying to identify my place in the world of nursing theory. How am I supposed to create a theory with meaning and purpose? As I reflected on this question, an obvious and simple answer kept coming to mind. Why did I decide to become a nurse in the first place? What about nursing pulled me in to this profession? When I began to think of my nursing journey in this light, my personal nursing philosophy became obvious to me.
Nursing is a complex profession full of challenges and rewards. To grow as professionals, it is important that nurses know and understand the many theory’s that exists in nursing and respect their impact on the profession. It is essential for nurses to learn from past theorist for nursing to move forward. This paper will correlate the philosophy and values of two nursing theorist with a unique perspective of each concept and define the nursing metaparadigm.
Walker, L.O., & Avant, K. (2005). Strategies for theory construction in nursing (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Applying theory into today’s nursing practice takes place when the nurse can understand and appreciate the theory's value (Health Compliance Passport, 2014). The nurse is educated and precise in their ability to apply the skills and knowledge into practice. The nurse’s ability to organize principles, evaluate the patient, develop a plan of care and implement the theory into the healing process (Health Compliance Passport, 2014). All theories are different, but very similar in their own way once broken down. The nurse must critically think and apply her knowledge base of nursing practice and nursing theory.
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
Nursing theories are actions care that a nurse provides to a patient to prevent a sickness, maintain and promote health. Many of the theorists contribute to a frame work or a blueprint of how nurses should provide care to patients. Many these theories are part of nursing care and most of them they go hand in hand. Nursing theory aims to describe, predict and explain the phenomenon of nursing (Chinn and Jacobs1978).Nursing is apprehensive with laws and principles governing the life processes and functioning of sick or well human beings. Nursing theories are beneficial in understanding the knowledge of nursing and its application (Smith and Liehr, 2008).
Nursing theory can be applied to resolve nursing problems or issues, irrespective of the field of practice. A nursing theory benefits nurses and the patients that are in his or her charge. . Depending on the issue or problem that is needed to be solved determines what theory needs to be used. Nursing theory started with Florence Nightingale. She believed that a clean environment would promote better health. Virginia Henderson’s need theory emphasizes the need to ensure that the patient’s independence is being increased while in a health care facility. Ensuring that a patient can increase his or her independence allows for them to experience better outcomes upon discharge home. This is just two examples of nursing theories that were used
Walker, L. O. & Avant, K. C. (2011). Strategies for theory construction in nursing. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.