useful

1. INTRODUCTION TO…

2. What is a theory?
•
•
A set of concepts,
definitions, relationships,
and assumptions that
project a systematic view
of a phenomena
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?
•
•
•
•
Concepts – ideas and mental
images that help to describe
phenomena (Alligood and
Marriner-Tomey, 2002)
Definitions – convey the
general meaning of the
concepts
Assumptions – statements that
describe concepts
Phenomenon – aspect of
reality that can be consciously
sensed or experienced
(Meleis, 1997).

4. What is a paradigm?
• A model that explains
the linkages of
science, philosophy,
and theory accepted
and applied by the
discipline (Alligood
and Marriner –
Tomey, 2002)

5. What is a domain?
• The view or
perspective of the
discipline
• 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?
• Nursing has identified
its domain in a
paradigm that
includes four
linkages:
1) person/client
2) health
3) environment
4) nursing

7. Purposes of nursing theory

8. What are the purposes of
nursing theory?
• It guides nursing
practice and
generates knowledge
• It helps to describe or
explain nursing
• Enables nurses to
know WHY they are
doing WHAT they are
doing

9. Types of nursing theories
•
•
•
•
Grand theories – broad
and complex
Middle-range theories-
address specific
phenomena and reflect
practice
Descriptive theories –
first level of theory
development
Prescriptive theories –
address nursing
interventions and predict
their consequences

10. School of thoughts in Nursing Theories-1950-1970
Need theorists Interaction Theorists Outcome theorists
 Abdellah
 Henderson
 Orem
 King
 Orlando
 Peterson and Zderad
 Paplau
 Travelbee
 Wiedenbach
 Johnson
 Levine
 Rogers
 Roy

12. Theories can also be categorized as:
"Needs "theories.
"Interaction" theories.
"Outcome "theories.
"Humanistic theories"

13. 1. “Needs” theories
Are based around helping individuals to fulfill their
physical and mental needs.

14. 2.“Interaction” theories
As described by Peplau(1988)these
theories revolve around the
relationships nurses form
with patients

15. 3. “Outcome” theories"
Outcome theories portray the nurse as the
changing force, who enables individuals to adapt to
or cope with ill health.

16. 4. “Humanistic” Theories
Humanistic theories
developed in response to the
psychoanalytic thought that a
person’s destiny was
determined early in life.
Humanistic theories
emphasize a person’s capacity
for self-actualization.

17. Why on earth do we study
nursing theory?
•
•
•
•
•
• Everyday practice enriches
theory
Both practice and theory are
guided by values and beliefs
Theory helps to reframe our
thinking about nursing
Theory guides use of ideas
and techniques
Theory can close the gap
between theory and research
To envision potentialities
(Gordon, Parker, & Jester,
2001)

18. “The study and use of nursing
theory in nursing practice must
have roots in the everyday
practice of nurses (Gordon,
Parker, and Jester, 2001).

19. So how do nurses use theory in
everyday practice?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Organize patient data
Understand patient data
Analyze patient data
Make decisions about
nursing interventions
Plan patient care
Predict outcomes of care
Evaluate patient
outcomes
(Alligood, 2001)

20. How do student nurses begin to
use nursing theory?
• By asking yourself
two very important
questions…..

21. Student nurse questions
• What is the nature of
knowledge needed for the
practice of nursing?
• What does it mean to me
to practice nursing?

22. Nursing also utilizes non-nursing
theories

23. Commonly used non-nursing
theories
• Systems theory
• Basic Human Needs
theory
• Health and Wellness
Models
• Stress and Adaptation
• Developmental
Theories
• Psychosocial
Theories

24. What is the link between nursing
theory and the research
process?
•
•
• Theory provides direction
for nursing research
Relationships of
components in a theory
help to drive the research
questions for
understanding nursing

25. Current trends that influence
nursing theory
• Medical science
• Nursing education
• Professional nursing
organizations
• Evolving research
approaches
• Global concerns
• Consumer demands
• Technologies

26. “ 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.”
Leah Curtin, RN, MS, FAAN (1989)
Former Editor, Nursing Management

27. CONCLUSION
•Theory and practice are related
•To develop nursing as a profession the
concept of theory must be addressed.
•If nursing theory does not drive the
development of nursing, it will continue to
develop in the footsteps of other disciplines
such as medicine.