Afaf Ibraheim Meleis is an influential nurse scholar born in Egypt in 1942. She developed Transition Theory drawing from nursing, sociology, and other disciplines. Transition Theory views life as a series of passages between different phases or statuses and examines the conditions surrounding transitions. Key concepts include roles, personal and environmental factors, and the nature, types, patterns and indicators of transitions. Transition Theory provides a framework for nurses to help individuals and organizations prepare for and navigate life changes and developments.

1. Transition Theory
Fall 2013
Pam Davis, RN

2. Afaf Ibraheim Meleis
 Born 1942 in Alexandria Egypt
 Education
 BS Nursing 1961, University Alexandria
 MS Nursing 1964
 MA Sociology 1966
 PhD Medical and Social Psychology, University of California, San Fransisco
 Position
 Dean, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania
 Professor of Nursing and Sociology
 Director of WHO Collaboration for Nursing and Midwifery Leadership
 Multiple Accolades
(Pennsylvania, 2013)

3. Transition Theory
“Passages from one life phase, condition or status to another.”
(Meleis, 2010)
 Influences
 Nursing
 Sociology
 Symbolic Interactionism
 Role Theory
(Elsevier, 2013)
 Focus
 Global Health
 International Health
 Immigrant Health
 Women’s Health
 Theoretical Development in
Nursing

4. Major Concepts
 Role
 Personal Conditions
 Societal
 Community
 Nature of Transition
 Types
 Patterns
 Properties of Transition
 Patterns of Response
 Process Indicators
 Outcome Indicators
(Meleis, 2000)

5. Role of the Nurse
 Assist
 Individuals
 Families
 Organizations
 Prepare
 Facilitate
 Develop new skills

6. Your text here

7. Ethical Evaluation
 Limited reference to ethical framework
 Multiple references to nursing application
 Understanding the Assumptions of Transition:
Experienced
by individuals and organizations
across all lifespans
Result of and Results in
Change in lives, health, relationships, environments
Growth – stability and less disruptive stage
Goal (In relation to role change)
New awareness, knowledge, skills , comfort level

9. References
 Elsevier. Elsevier Health.com. Chapter 20 Afaf Ibraheim Meleis, Transition Theory.
416-433. Retrieved from
http://elsevierhealth.com/media/us/samplechapters/9780323056410/Chapter%202
0.pdf
 Meleis, A. S. (2000). Experiencing Transitions: An Emerging Middle-Range Theory.
Advances in Nursing Science, 12-27.
 Pennsylvania, U. o. (2013, September). Faculty Profile. Alaf I Meleis, PhD, DrPS
(hon), FAAN: Retrieved from www.nursing.upen.edu/faculty/profile.asp?pid=853
 Meleis, A. I. (2010). Transitions Theory Middle Range and Situational Specific
Theories of Nursing Research and Practice. New York : Springer Publishing, LLC.