Theory – set of concepts, definitions,
relationships, and assumptions that project a
systematic view
of a phenomenon.
Components of a Theory
1. Phenomenon – aspect of reality that
can be consciously sensed or
experienced
2. Concepts – ideas and mental images
that help to describe a phenomenon
3. Definitions – convey the general
meaning of concepts
4. Assumptions – statements that
describe concepts
Nursing Theory – are organized knowledgebased concepts that essentially define the
scope of nursing practice.
- it defines what nursing is,
what nurses do, and why do they do it.
- backbone of clinical care
Events in History:
1. Florence Nightingale - Laid the
Foundation for nursing, with “Notes
on Nursing”
2. The Columbia School – 1950’s focused
on preparing nurses for advanced
roles.
-Developed first
theoretical nursing concepts (Peplau,
Henderson, Hall, Abdellah)
- emphasized biomedical
model for nursing roles
3. The Yale School 1960’s – shifted nursing
theory to focus on nurse-patient relationships
- viewed nursing as a relational process,
emphasizing patient interaction.
- theorists view nursing as a process. (Orlando
and Wiedenbach)
- federal funds were made available for
doctoral study.
4. 170’s – Many nursing theories were first
presented.
- Most were revised since their original
presentation.
5. 1980’s – many nursing theories were
revised based on the research findings that
expanded them.
6. 1990’s – numerous research studies that
tested and expanded nursing theory.
Eras of Nursing Knowledge – early 20th
century, nurses began to transition from
vocation to profession.
1. Curriculum Era (1900-1940’s) expansion of curricula to include
social sciences, pharmacology, and
nursing procedures.
- “Nursing arts” to “Skills lab”, “Arts
of Nursing” to “Science of
Nursing”
- Starts to embrace science
2. Research Era (1950’s-1970’s) –
research became the driving force.
- emphasized scholarship and the
dissemination of research findings
in publications.
- Graduate education included
nursing research.
3. Graduate Education Era (1950’s –
1970’s) – development of master’s
and doctoral programs in nursing.
- Integration of nursing research,
clinical specialties, and leadership
in curricula.
- Confrsrences focused on theory
development.
4. Theory Era (1980’sc- 1990’s) – focus
on nursing theory development.
- Growth of nursing literature,
journals, and doctor programs
- Production of scientific product.
5. Theory Utilization Era (21st Century)
– theory application
- emphasis on theory-based nursing
practice
6. The Future – develop theories
empower nurses, the discipline, and
clients.
- Emphasis on the practiceorientation
Significant of discipline – discipline is
dependent on theory for its continual
existence.
Significant of Nursing profession
Nursing Paradigm – fundamental framework
that guides the profession of nursing
Metaparadigm – identify the phenomenon of
central interest to a discipline (Fawcett)
-most global perspective of discipline
a) Person -participants in nursing
b) Health – a state of well-being
c) Environment – external aspects that
influence a person
d) Nursing- profession that promotes
health.
Nursing Philosophy – set of beliefs and values
that guide how nurses understand their role.
- set forth the general meaning of nursing.
Historical views of the Nature of Science
Science- a method use to explain and predict
causes or outcomes of interventions.
Philosophical perspective in science:
a) Rationalism – epistemological view
that “regards reason as the chief
source and test of knowledge”
- Prior reasoning is appropriate for
advancing knowledge that uses
deductive logic (C and E,
Generalization to particular
instance)
- “theory-then-research strategy”
if research failed to correspond,
additional research is conducted.
b) Empiricism- scientific knowledge from
sensory experience
- inductive method approach
- “research-then-theory strategy“
formulating differential diagnosis.
Conceptual Model – highly abstract system of
global concepts
Theory – more specific and concrete concepts
Proposition – statement about a concept or
relation between two or more concept.
Grand Theory – Broad in scope and highly
abstract concepts
Middle-range theory – narrow scope and is
more concrete.
Criteria of Conceptual Model Analysis:
1. Clarity – clearness of theory
- Consistency in terms
2. Simplicity – how simple the theory
- Theory is presented at level of
abstraction
3. Generality – how general is the theory
4. Accessibility – how accessible
- What extent the theory can be
attained
5. Importance – how important the
theory is to nursing?
Examples of Philosophy in nursing
1. Nightingale’s “Nursing: what it is and
what it is nit”
2. Watson’s: “Nursing: the philosophy
and science of caring”
3. Benner’s Novice to Expert
Ex. Of Nursing Models
1. Johnson’s behavioral systems model –
views person as systems of behavior
Subsystems:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
Attachment
Dependency
Ingestive
Eliminative
Sexual
Aggressive
Achievement
NURSING PHILOSOPHIES
Theories derive from Johnson’s behavioral
systems model
1. Person as a behavioral system
2. Resorative subsystem
3. Sustenal imperative
2. King;s Conceptual System – has three
interacting system, personal,
interpersonal, and social system.
-developed goal of attainment
Personal System:
a) Perception
b) Self
c) Growth and development
Interpersonal:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Interaction
Communication
Transaction
Role
Social System
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Power
Authority
Status
decision-making
role
3. Levine’s Conservation Model –
conserving patients energy for health
and healing .
Conservation of:
a) Energy
b) Structural identity
c) Personal and social integrity
Theory derived:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Conservation
Therapeutic intention
Redundancy
Health promotion for preterm infants
FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE – MAY 12,
1821. Born in Florence Italy.
- Environmental theory
- 24 years old, started to help the
suffering masses and desired to
work in a hospital.
- Kaserworth Germany, where she
studied nursing for 3 months.
Major areas that nurse could control:
1. Health of houses – presence of pure
air, pure water, efficient drainage,
cleanliness, and light.
2. Ventilation and warming- “keep the
air he breathes as pure as external air,
without hilling him”
3. Light – direct sunlight. Sick much
more lie toward the window.
4. Noise – patient should never be
waked intentionally
5. Variety – need changes in color and
form, including bringing the patient
colored flowers or plant.
- Rotating 10-12 paintings
6. Bed and bedding – should be placed
in the lightest area of the room.
Bedding should be changed
frequently.
7. Cleanliness of rooms and walls –
cleanliness of room. Removing dust
with damp cloth
8. Personal cleanliness
9. Nutrition and taking food
10. Chattering hopes and advices
11. Observation of the sick
12. Petty management – “what you do
when you’re there, shall be done
when you are not there”. Organized,
clean and birth appropriate supply.
Notes on Nursing – published 1859
-provide women
guidelines for caring their loved ones at
home, and advices on “how to think like a
nurse”
MARGARET JEAN WATSON – believe that
main focus in nursing is on caritive factors.
“Transpersonal Caring “ “Human Science
and Human Care”
-Grew up in, Welch, West Virginia
-BSN- UNIVERSITY COLORADO 1964, MS
AND PHD, UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
-Founder of Center for Human Caring in
UC