Nursing theory and models provide a framework for nursing practice and the development of specialized nursing knowledge. Theories are conceptual frameworks that describe, explain, and predict phenomena related to nursing. They consist of concepts, definitions, relationships, and assumptions. Models demonstrate how theories can be applied in practice. The nursing metaparadigm defines the major concepts of nursing as the person, environment, health, and nursing. Nursing theories are important as they guide practice, provide a basis for research, and enhance communication within the profession.

1. UNIT XVI
ProfessIoNal NUrsINg
CoNCePTs aNd PraCTICesCoNCePTs aNd PraCTICes
BY:
Laishram Rushila Devi M.Sc (N)
Lecturer
Department of Medical Surgical Nursing
Sri. Satyalaxmi College of Nursing
Hyderabad

3. INTrodUCTIoN
Nursing theory and models are very important to
development of a specialized body of knowledge. In
recent decades nursing theories started independently
previous days, the nursing profession relied on
theories form other disciplines such as medicine,
psychology and sociology as a basis of practice.psychology and sociology as a basis of practice.
Theory is the term given to throw knowledge that is
used to support nursing practice. Nursing models are
conceptual models, constructed of theories and
concepts. They are used to help nurses assess, plan,
and implement patient care by providing a
framework within which to work. They also help
nurses achieve uniformity and seamless care.

4. THeorY:
 Theory is derived from Theoria (Greek word) -
Vision
 A theory is a conceptual system or frame work
intended for some purpose.
 They provide a framework to develop new and
validate current knowledge. They help tovalidate current knowledge. They help to
describe, explain and predict to prescribe.
 A set of concepts, definitions, models,
propositions, and assumptions that project a
systematic view of a phenomena.

5. ComPoNeNTs of THeorY
Concepts – Ideas and mental images that help to
describe phenomena (Alligood and Marriner-
Tomey, 2002).
Definitions – Convey the general meaning of the
concepts.
Models – These are representations of the
interaction among and between the concepts
showing patterns.showing patterns.
Prepositions -are statements that explain the
relationship between the concepts.
Assumptions – Statements that describe concepts.
Phenomenon – Aspect of reality that can be
consciously sensed or experienced (Meleis,
1997).

6. models
Models allow the concepts in nursing theory
to be successfully applied to nursing practice.
They provide an overview of the thinking
behind the theory and may demonstrate howbehind the theory and may demonstrate how
theory can be introduced into practice, for
example, through specific methods of
assessment.

7. THeorY Vs modelTHeorY Vs model
A theory is a set of statements that is developed
through a process of continued abstractions. It is
a generalized statement aimed at explaining a
phenomenon.
 A model, on the other hand, is a purposeful A model, on the other hand, is a purposeful
representation of reality.

8. NUrsINg ParadIgmNUrsINg ParadIgm
A nursing paradigm is a concept that has
developed over time from the beliefs and
practices of professionals in the healthcare
sector.sector.
According to Nursing Theories, a nursing
paradigm is a pattern that shows the
relationship between a person, the
environment in which she lives and her
health.

9. meTaParadIgm
 Originates from two Greek words: Meta,
meaning “with” and paradigm, meaning
“pattern”.
 It is the most global conceptual or philosophical
framework of a discipline or profession.
 It defines and describes relationships among It defines and describes relationships among
major ideas and values.
 It guides the organization of theories and
models for a profession.

11. ComPoNeNTs of meTaParadIgm
1. Person: Refers the recipient of nursing care,
including physical, spiritual, psychological,
and sociocultural components, and can include
an individual, family or community.
2. Environment: Refers to all the internal and
external conditions, circumstances, and
influences affecting the person.influences affecting the person.
3. Health: Refers to the degree of wellness or
illness experienced by the person.
4. Nursing: Refers to the actions, characteristics,
and attributes of the individual providing the
nursing care.

12. defINITIoN of THeorYdefINITIoN of THeorY
Theory can be defined as “an internally
consistent group of relational statements
(concepts, definitions and propositions) that
present a systematic about a phenomenon and
which is useful for description, explanation,
prediction and control” (Bodie and Chitty)prediction and control” (Bodie and Chitty)
Set of interpretative assumptions, principles or
propositions that helps, explain or guide action.
( Young,Taylor & Repenning, 2001 )

13. NUrsINg THeorY
 “Nursing theories are used to describe, develop,
discriminate and use present knowledge in nursing.”
 Nursing theory is define as a conceptualization of some
aspects of nursing reality communicated for the purposeaspects of nursing reality communicated for the purpose
of describing phenomena, explaining relationship
between phenomena, predicting consequences or
prescribing nursing care.

15. CHaraCTerIsTICs of a THeorY:
 Theories can interrelate concepts in such a way
as to create a different way of looking at a
particular phenomenon.
 Theories must be logical in nature.
 Theories should be relatively simple yet
generalizable.
 Theories can be basis for hypotheses that can be Theories can be basis for hypotheses that can be
tested.
 Theories contribute to and assist in increasing
the general body of knowledge within the
discipline through the research implemented to
validate them.
 Theories can be utilized by the practitioners to
guide and improve their practice.

16.  Theories must be consistent with other validated
theories, laws and principles but will leave open
unanswered questions that need to be
investigated.
 Theories differ from conceptual model; both can
describe, explain, or predict a phenomenon, but
only theories provide specific direction to guide
practice; conceptual models are more abstract
and less specific than theories but can provide
direction for practice.

17. ImPorTaNCe of THeorY:
 Easy communication of nursing scope.
 Documentation of nursing practice.
 Empirical evidence of patient outcome.
 Measuring nurses satisfaction about patient
outcome through nursing actions.
The benefits of having a defined body of theory The benefits of having a defined body of theory
in nursing include better patient care.
 Enhanced professional status for nurses
improved communication between nurses and
guidance for research and education.

18.  As medicine tries to make a move towards
adopting a more multidisciplinary approach to
healthcare, nursing continues to strive to
establish a unique body of knowledge. Nursing
theory aims to describe, predict and explain the
phenomenon of nursing.
 It provides the foundations of nursing practice It provides the foundations of nursing practice
help to generate further knowledge and indicate
in which direction in the future. Theory is
important because it helps to decide what we
know and what we need to know.

19. Uses of THeorYUses of THeorY
 Theory guides and improve nursing practice.
 Theory provides goal for nursing care and with
goals, nursing practice is rendered more
effective and efficient.
 Theories help to focus the goals, making nurses Theories help to focus the goals, making nurses
more confident about the practice.
 Theory guides research
 It validates and modifies the theory.
 Theory contributes to the development of the
disciplines body of knowledge.
 Theory enhances communication.