2. What is a theory?
โข A set of concepts,
definitions, relationships,
and assumptions that
project a systematic view
of a phenomena
โข It may consist of one or
more relatively specific
and concrete concepts
and propositions that
purport to account for, or
organize some
phenomenon (Barnum,
1988)
3. What are the components of a
theory?
โข Concepts โ ideas and mental
images that help to describe
phenomena (Alligood and
Marriner-Tomey, 2002)
โข Definitions โ convey the
general meaning of the
concepts
โข Assumptions โ statements that
describe concepts
โข Phenomenon โ aspect of
reality that can be consciously
sensed or experienced
(Meleis, 1997).
4. What is a paradigm?
โข A model that explains
the linkages of
science, philosophy,
and theory accepted
and applied by the
discipline (Alligood
and Marriner โ
Tomey, 2002)
5. What is a domain?
โข The view or
perspective of the
discipline
โข It contains the
subject, central
concepts, values and
beliefs, phenomena of
interest, and the
central problems of
the discipline
6. How does domain relate to
nursing theory?
โข Nursing has identified
its domain in a
paradigm that
includes four
linkages:
1) person/client
2) health
3) environment
4) nursing
8. What are the purposes of
nursing theory?
โข It guides nursing
practice and
generates knowledge
โข It helps to describe or
explain nursing
โข Enables nurses to
know WHY they are
doing WHAT they are
doing
9. Types of nursing theories
โข Grand theories โ broad
and complex
โข Middle-range theories-
address specific
phenomena and reflect
practice
โข Descriptive theories โ
first level of theory
development
โข Prescriptive theories โ
address nursing
interventions and predict
their consequences
10. Why on earth do we study
nursing theory?
โข Everyday practice enriches
theory
โข Both practice and theory are
guided by values and beliefs
โข Theory helps to reframe our
thinking about nursing
โข Theory guides use of ideas
and techniques
โข Theory can close the gap
between theory and research
โข To envision potentialities
(Gordon, Parker, & Jester,
2001)
11. โThe study and use of nursing
theory in nursing practice must
have roots in the everyday
practice of nurses (Gordon,
Parker, and Jester, 2001).
12. So how do nurses use theory in
everyday practice?
โข Organize patient data
โข Understand patient data
โข Analyze patient data
โข Make decisions about
nursing interventions
โข Plan patient care
โข Predict outcomes of care
โข Evaluate patient
outcomes
(Alligood, 2001)
13. How do student nurses begin to
use nursing theory?
โข By asking yourself
two very important
questionsโฆ..
14. Student nurse questions
โข What is the nature of
knowledge needed for the
practice of nursing?
โข What does it mean to me
to practice nursing?
16. Commonly used non-nursing
theories
โข Systems theory
โข Basic Human Needs
theory
โข Health and Wellness
Models
โข Stress and Adaptation
โข Developmental
Theories
โข Psychosocial
Theories
17. What is the link between nursing
theory and the research
process?
โข Theory provides direction
for nursing research
โข Relationships of
components in a theory
help to drive the research
questions for
understanding nursing
โข Chinn and Kramer
(2004), indicate a spiral
relationship between the
two
18. Current trends that influence
nursing theory
โข Medical science
โข Nursing education
โข Professional nursing
organizations
โข Evolving research
approaches
โข Global concerns
โข Consumer demands
โข Technologies
19. โ Practicing nurses who despise theory are
condemned to performing a series of tasks - either
at the command of a physician or in response to
routines and policies.โ
Leah Curtin, RN, MS, FAAN (1989)
Former Editor, Nursing Management
