Nursing theories

Question 1

What are nursing theories? pt.1

Answer 1

• are organized bodies of knowledge to define what nursing is, what nurses do, and why they do it.
• also provide a way to define nursing as a unique discipline separate from other disciplines.
• It is a framework of concepts & purposes intended to guide nursing practice at a more concrete & specific level.

Question 2

What are nursing concepts? pt.2

Answer 2

• Nursing as a profession is committed to recognizing its own unparallel body of knowledge vital to nursing practice-nursing science.
• distinguish this foundation of knowledge nurses need to identify, develop, and understand concepts & theories in line with nursing.
• as a science, nursing is based on the theory of what nursing is, what nurses do & why.
  *Nursing is a unique discipline & is separate from medicine. It has its own body of knowledge on which delivery of care is based

Question 3

Definition:
Philosophy

Answer 3

These are beliefs and values that define a way of thinking and are generally known and understood by a group or discipline.

Question 4

Definition:
theory

Answer 4

A belief, policy, or procedure proposed or followed as the basis of action. It refers to a logical group of general propositions used as principles of explanation. Theories are also used to describe, predict, or control phenomena.

Question 5

Definition:
Concept

Answer 5

Concepts are often called the building blocks of theories. They are primarily the vehicles of thought that involve images.

Question 6

Definition:
Models

Answer 6

Models are representations of the interaction among and between the concepts showing patterns. They present an overview of the theory’s thinking and may demonstrate how theory can be introduced into practice.

Question 7

Definition:
Conceptual framework

Answer 7

A conceptual framework is a group of related ideas, statements, or concepts. It is often used interchangeably with the conceptual model and with grand theories.

Question 8

Definition:
Proposition

Answer 8

Propositions are statements that describe the relationship between the concepts.

Question 9

Definition:
Domain

Answer 9

The domain is the perspective or territory of a profession or discipline.

Question 10

Definition:
Process

Answer 10

Processes are organized steps, changes, or functions intended to bring about the desired result.

Question 11

Definition:
Paradigm

Answer 11

A paradigm refers to a pattern of shared understanding and assumptions about reality and the world, worldview, or widely accepted value system.

Question 12

Definition:
Metaparadigm

Answer 12

A metaparadigm is the most general statement of discipline and functions as a framework in which the more restricted structures of conceptual models develop. Much of the theoretical work in nursing focused on articulating relationships among four major concepts: person, environment, health, and nursing.

Question 13

In the 1950s

Answer 13

there is a consensus among nursing scholars that nursing needed to validate itself through the production of its own scientifically tested body of knowledge.

Question 14

History of Nursing theories:
Florence Nightingale (1860)

Answer 14

defined nursing in her “Environmental Theory” as “the act of utilizing the patient’s environment to assist him in his recovery.”

Question 15

History of Nursing theories:
Hildegard Peplau (1952)

Answer 15

introduced her Theory of Interpersonal Relations which emphasizes the nurse-client relationship as the foundation of nursing practice.

Question 16

History of Nursing theories:
Virginia Henderson (1955)

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

History of Nursing theories:
Faye Abdellah (1960)

Answer 17

published her work “Typology of 21 Nursing Problems,” which shifted the focus of nursing from a disease-centered approach to a patient-centered approach.

Question 18

History of Nursing theories:
Ida Jean Orlando (1962)

Answer 18

emphasized the reciprocal relationship between patient and nurse and viewed nursing’s professional function as finding out and meeting the patient’s immediate need for help.

Question 19

History of Nursing theories:
Dorothy Johnson (1968)

Answer 19

pioneered the Behavioral System Model and upheld the fostering of efficient and effective behavioral functioning in the patient to prevent illness.

Question 20

History of Nursing theories:
Martha Rojers (1970)

Answer 20

viewed nursing as both a science and an art as it provides a way to view the unitary human being, who is integral to the universe.

Question 21

History of Nursing theories:
Dorothea Orem (1971)

Answer 21

stated in her theory that nursing care is required if the client is unable to fulfill biological, psychological, developmental, or social needs.

Question 22

History of Nursing theories:
Imogene King (1971)

Answer 22

King‘s Theory of Goal attainment stated that the nurse is considered part of the patient’s environment, and the nurse-patient relationship is for meeting goals towards good health.

Question 23

History of Nursing theories:
Betty Neuman (1972)

Answer 23

, in her theory, states that many needs exist, and each may disrupt client balance or stability. Stress reduction is the goal of the system model of nursing practice.

Question 24

History of Nursing theories:
Sr. Callista Roy (1979)

Answer 24

viewed the individual as a set of interrelated systems that maintain the balance between these various stimuli.

Question 25

History of Nursing theories:
Jean Watson(1979)

Answer 25

developed the philosophy of caring, highlighted humanistic aspects of nursing as they intertwine with scientific knowledge and nursing practice

Question 26

Nursing Metaparadigm:
Person

Answer 26

Person (also referred to as Client or Human Beings) is the recipient of nursing care and may include individuals, patients, groups, families, and communities.

Question 27

Nursing paradigm:
Environment

Answer 27

Environment (or situation) is defined as the internal and external surroundings that affect the client. It includes all positive or negative conditions that affect the patient, the physical environment, such as families, friends, and significant others, and the setting for where they go for their healthcare.

Question 28

Nursing Paradigm:
Health

Answer 28

Health is defined as the degree of wellness or well-being that the client experiences. It may have different meanings for each patient, the clinical setting, and the health care provider.

Question 29

Nursing Paradigm:
Nursing

Answer 29

The nurse’s attributes, characteristics, and actions provide care on behalf of or in conjunction with the client. 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

Question 30

Components of Nursing Theories:
Phenomenon

Answer 30

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.

Question 31

Components of Nursing Theories:
Concepts

Answer 31

Interrelated concepts define a theory. Concepts are used to help describe or label a phenomenon.
They are words or phrases that identify, define, and establish structure and boundaries for ideas
generated about a particular phenomenon. Concepts may be abstract or concrete.
* Abstract Concepts. Defined as mentally constructed independently of a specific time or
place.
* Concrete Concepts. Are directly experienced and related to a particular time or place.

Question 32

Definitions

Answer 32

Definitions are used to convey the general meaning of the concepts of the theory. Definitions can
be theoretical or operational.
* Theoretical Definitions. Define a particular concept based on the theorist’s perspective.
* Operational Definitions. States how concepts are measured

Question 33

Relational Statements

Answer 33

Relational statements define the relationships between two or more concepts. They are the chains
that link concepts to one another.

Question 34

Assumptions

Answer 34

Assumptions are accepted as truths and are based on values and beliefs. These statements explain
the nature of concepts, definitions, purpose, relationships, and structure of a theory

Question 35

importance of theory

Answer 35

Nursing theories are the basis of nursing practice today. In many cases, nursing theory guides
knowledge development and directs education, research, and practice. Historically, nursing was
not recognized as an academic discipline or as a profession we view today. Before nursing
theories were developed, nursing was considered to be a task-oriented occupation. The training
and function of nurses were under the direction and control of the medical profession.

Question 36

importance of theory cont’d

Answer 36

▪ Nursing theories help recognize what should set the foundation of practice by explicitly
describing nursing.
▪ 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.
▪ Nursing theories provide the foundations of nursing practice, generate further knowledge,
and indicate which direction nursing should develop in the future (Brown, 1964).
▪ By providing nurses a sense of identity, nursing theory can help patients, managers, and
other healthcare professionals to acknowledge and understand the unique contribution
that nurses make to the healthcare service (Draper, 1990).\
▪ Nursing theories prepare the nurses to reflect on the assumptions and question the nursing
values, thus further defining nursing and increasing the knowledge base.
▪ Nursing theories aim to define, predict, and demonstrate nursing phenomenon (Chinn and
Jacobs, 1978).
▪ It can be regarded as an attempt by the nursing profession to maintain and preserve its
professional limits and boundaries.
▪ In many cases, nursing theories guide knowledge development and directs education,
research, and practice, although each influences the others. (Fitzpatrick and Whall, 2005).

Question 37

purposes of nursing theory

Answer 37

The primary purpose of theory in nursing is to improve practice by positively influencing the
health and quality of life of patients. Nursing theories are also developed to define and describe
nursing care, guide nursing practice, and provide a basis for clinical decision-making. In the past,
the accomplishments of nursing led to the recognition of nursing in an academic discipline,
research, and profession.

Question 38

In Academic Discipline

Answer 38

Much of the earlier nursing programs identified the major concepts in one or two nursing
models, organized the concepts, and build an entire nursing curriculum around the created
framework. These models’ unique language was typically introduced into program objectives,
course objectives, course descriptions, and clinical performance criteria. The purpose was to
explain the fundamental implications of the profession and enhance the profession’s status.

Question 39

In Research

Answer 39

The development of theory is fundamental to the research process, where it is necessary to use
theory as a framework to provide perspective and guidance to the research study. 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 theoryguided practice.

Question 40

In Research

Answer 40

The development of theory is fundamental to the research process, where it is necessary to use
theory as a framework to provide perspective and guidance to the research study. 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 theoryguided practice.

Question 41

In Profession

Answer 41

Clinical practice generates research questions and knowledge for theory. In a clinical setting, its
primary contribution has been the facilitation of reflecting, questioning, and thinking about what
nurses do. Because nurses and nursing practice are often subordinate to powerful institutional
forces and traditions, introducing any framework that encourages nurses to reflect on, question,
and think about what they do provide an invaluable service