Nurse Theorist: Imogene King
Running head: NURSE THEORIST: IMOGENE KING
Nurse Theorist: Imogene King
Robbie Wilson
East Tennessee State University
1
Nurse Theorist: Imogene King
2
Nurse Theorist: Imogene King
Description of Nurse Theorist
Imogene M. King was born on January 30, 1923 in West Point, Iowa. In 1945, she
received a diploma from St. John’s Hospital - School of Nursing in Saint Louis, Missouri. She
earned her BSN (1948) and MSN (1957) from Saint Louis University and a doctorate degree in
education from Teachers College at Columbia University in New York (1961). King eventually
became a Hall of Fame inductee at Columbia University’s Teachers College. King served as
Assistant Chief in the Research Grants Branch of the Division of Nursing in Washington, D.C.
(1966-1968 under Dr. Jessie Scott). She also served as director of the Ohio State University’s
School of Nursing from 1968-1972. King was an Associate Professor (1961-1966) and Professor
(1971-1980) at Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois. After serving as Professor in the College
of Nursing at the University of South Florida, she retired in 1990 with the title Professor
Emeritus. Dr. King continued to speak at local, regional, national, and international conferences
as well as consulted with undergraduate and graduate students who were using her theory and
developing theories from her systems framework. King was an active member of District IV,
Florida Nurses Association (FNA) - past President of the Florida Nurses Foundation and FNA
Hall of Fame inductee, American Nurses Association (1996 ANA Jessie Scott Award and Hall of
Fame inductee), Sigma Theta Tau International (1989 STTI Elizabeth Russell Founders Award
and a Virginia Henderson Fellow), and a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing where she
was inducted as a Living Legend in 2005. The King International Nursing Group website
provides detailed information about Dr. King, her work, as well as yearly conference information
(http://www.kingnursing.org/).
Nurse Theorist: Imogene King
3
Dr. King loved the sport of golf and was a devout Catholic her entire life. Up until her
death, King communicated almost on a daily basis via e-mail with nurses throughout the world.
Dr. Imogene King died on December 24, 2007. Dr. King’s major contributions to nursing were
her Theory of Goal Attainment as well as her Model of Interacting Systems. Some of her
documents and memorabilia are located at Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois. The King
International Nursing Group website provides detailed information about Dr. King, her work, as
well as yearly conference information (http://www.kingnursing.org/).
Influence in Nursing
Model of Interacting Systems
The model of interacting systems that King developed involves three interacting sets of
systems. The first level is the personal system. It is comprised of individuals such as individual
patients and nurses. The second level of systems is the interpersonal system or group which can
be comprised of smalls groups such as a family. As the nurse and the patient interact, they work
to form a therapeutic relationship as well as the interpersonal system. The third level of systems
is the greater social system or societies which can be comprised of hospitals, universities, and
religious organizations (Williams, 2001).
Theory of Goal Attainment
King set the crux of her goal attainment theory in the nurse – patient relationship
(Messmer, 2006). The nurse and patient work together to define and reach goals that they set
together. The relationship between the nurse and patient is can be described as a give and take
relationship. For example, both the nurse and patient perceive, judge, and act; together, the nurse
and patient also react to each other and interact with one another. Following this process of
communication, perceiving, and acting between the nurse and the patient, if a goal has been set
Nurse Theorist: Imogene King
4
then a transaction is said to have occurred. During the process, the nurse and patient also decide
on a way to work toward the goal that has been decided upon and then put the plan into action both parties have responsibilities (King, 2007). King believes that the main function of nursing
is to increase or to restore the health of the patient, so then; transactions should occur to set goals
related to the health of the patient (King, 1981). After transactions have occurred and
collaborative goals have been defined by the nurse and patient, then both parties work toward the
stated goals (King, 1981). The process will more than likely involve interactions with other
systems, such as the patient’s family members, other healthcare workers, ancillary service
providers, or larger systems.
One key aspect of Dr. King’s goal attainment theory is the importance of good
documentation by the nurse. In streamlining the process of goal attainment, King believes that
documentation will make it easier for nurses to communicate with each other as well as with
other healthcare workers involved in the patient’s care (King, 1981). Documentation also helps
to provide a way to determine if the goal is achieved or if the goal may need to be revised. The
assessment of whether or not the goal has been successfully achieved plays an important end
stage in King's goal attainment theory. The contribution of King’s model of interpersonal
systems integrated into her goal attainment theory can provide a solid backdrop in the quest to
personalize a patient’s care plan while improving the nurse-patient relationship at the same time
(Parker, 2001).
Connection to Theorist
The link I have to Imogene King’s work as a nurse is derived directly from her
interaction and goal attainment theories, the relationship-building, and my professional social
work background. It appears that King’s model of interpersonal systems work to build the
Nurse Theorist: Imogene King
5
rapport and trust necessary to begin the process of goal attainment. Her philosophy goes handin-hand with my professional background as a social worker. In everything we do as
professional counselors, we are constantly working to strengthen the rapport with our patients,
involving the patient in their own plan of care, and working as a team (this includes working
with families as they can bring significant depth to our understanding by providing the necessary
collateral information). The patient always has the ability to self-direct his/her own care at any
time. I am continually seeing parallels between the social work and nursing profession. So, my
connection to Dr. King and her contribution to the nursing profession is one in which I value
because it brings a great deal of meaning to my personal, professional, and life experiences.
Personal View of Nursing
My personal view of nursing stems from a more simplistic view of life. I view it from
the human condition perspective that encompasses the experiences of being human in a social,
cultural, and personal context. It is through this context that I feel connected to the nursing
profession and people in general. I feel my life experiences, along with my professional
background, paired with my academic achievements thus far have helped me to better understand
people, their perspective of life, and their wants for the future. My view of nursing itself is one
that integrates a variety of skills and disciplines. Essentially, as nurses, we will wear many hats
depending on the current situation. We will utilize a multitude of theories, models, concepts,
skills, and schools of thought to accomplish the goal(s) we (nurse and patient) are working
toward. Sometimes it takes a village to get things accomplished and we should never lose sight
of how resourceful we can be to one another. Nursing is complex enough and at times people
seem to over-think their personal views; however, my philosophy can be stated as - simple is
better; thus, making another connection to Dr. King’s theories.
Nurse Theorist: Imogene King
6
Nursing as a Career
Nursing has certainly broadened my horizons and caused me to focus outside myself. I
value being part of a profession that helps people and I find the body of knowledge I've gained
thus far can be utilized in everyday situations. Nursing also gives you a lot of varied
opportunities for a career, you can make a change from one area of nursing to another; the
flexibility of schedules is a plus for those of us trying to balance family life with work. Overall,
I feel the nursing profession will provide me with challenges, stability, diversity, and fulfillment
for the rest of my life; I’m very optimistic about my future as a nursing professional.
Conclusion
It is my hope I will become a well-rounded nurse who is always mindful of others and
incorporates nursing theory as well as evidence-based practice in my everyday nursing duties.
Most importantly, I want to be the nurse who actually relates to the patient’s experience, listens,
and understands. From my own personal experiences, it is this type of nurse who is remembered
and makes the difference the patient is looking for in their medical care. A huge “thank you”
goes out to all the nurse theorists and researchers, like Dr. Imogene King, for bringing so much
more depth to nursing as a profession.
Nurse Theorist: Imogene King
7
Resources
King, I. (1981). A theory for nursing : systems, concepts, process. New York, NY: Wiley.
King, I. (2007). King’s conceptual system, theory of goal attainment, and transaction
process in the 21st century [Electronic version]. Nursing Science Quarterly, 20,
109-116.
Messmer, P.R. (2006). Professional model of care: using King’s theory of goal attainment
[Electonic version]. Nursing Science Quarterly, 19, 227-228.
Parker, M. E. (2001). Nursing theories and nursing practice. Philadelphia, PA: E.A. Davis
Company.
Williams, L.A. (2001). Imogene King’s interacting systems theory: application in emergency
and rural nursing [Electronic version]. Online Journal of Rural Nursing and Health Care,
2, 25-30.