Introduction to Nursing Theory  Nursing Theories that lead to Nursing Care:

1) Explains
Definitions
2) Describes
 Theory- set of concepts and propositions 3) Predicts
that provides an orderly way to view 4) Prescribes
phenomena.
- defines what nursing is, what it Characteristics do Theories
does, and the goals or outcomes of nursing 1. Can interrelate concepts in such a way as to
care. create a different way of looking at a particular
phenomenon.
 Concepts and Propositions- structural
2. Must be logical in nature.
elements of a theoretical foundation.
3. Should be relatively simple yet generalizable.
 Concepts- building blocks of a theory. 4. can be the basses for the hypotheses that can
vehicles of thought that involves images, be tested.
are words that describe objects, properties 5. can be used by the practitioners to guide and
or events and are basic components of improve their practice.
theory. 6. Contribute to and assist in increasing the genera;
body of knowledge within the discipline through the
Types: Empirical concepts Inferential concepts research implemented to validate them.
Abstract concepts Proposition 7. Must be consistent with other validated theories,
laws, and principles but will leave open
- statement that proposes a relationship
unanswered questions that need to be investigated.
between concepts.
-propositional statements in a theory Definition of Nursing
represents the theorist's view of which Florence Nightingale
concepts fit together.
- "The act of utilizing the environment of the patient
 Philosophy- these are beliefs and values to assist him in his recovery"(1860)
that define a way of thinking and are - considered a clean, well-ventilated and quiet
generally known and understood by a group environment essential for recovery.
or discipline.
 Model- representations of the interactions Virginia Henderson
among and between the concepts showing
- "The unique function of the nurse is to assist the
patterns. They represent an overview of the
individual, sick or well, in the performance of those
theory's thinking and may demonstrate how
activities contributing to health or its recovery (or to
theory can be introduced into practice.
peaceful death)"
 Conceptual Framework- group of related
ideas, statement or concepts -often used
interchangeably with the conceptual model
Certain themes are common to many of these
and with grand theories.
definitions:
 Domain- perspective or territory of a
profession or discipline. o Nursing is caring
o Nursing is an art
 Process: organized steps, changes or o Nursing is science
functions intended to bring about the o Nursing is client centered
desired result. o Nursing is holistic
 Nursing Theory- belief, policy, or procedure o Nursing is adaptive
proposed or followed as the basis of action. It is o Nursing is helping profession
an organized framework of concepts and o Nursing is concerned with health promotion
purposes designed to guide the practice of health maintenance and health restoration
nursing.
*The recipients of Nursing are sometimes called Restoring Health
consumers, sometimes patients and sometimes
Focuses on the ill client and it extends from early
clients
detection of the disease through helping the client
*Consumer- an individual, a group of people, or a during recovery period.
community that uses a service or community.
o Paradigm-conceptual diagram
People who use health care products or services
are consumers of health care -a pattern
- serves as an example
*Patient- person who is waiting for or undergoing
medical treatment and care. -comes from the Latin
o Metaparadigm:
word "to suffer" or "to bear". Traditionally the
Meta meaning with and paradigm meaning pattern
person receiving health care has been called a - most global conceptual or philosophical
patient. framework of discipline or profession
*A client is a person who engages the advice or - defines and describes relationships among
major ideas and values
services of another who is qualified to provide this
- guides the organization of theories and
service. The term client presents the receivers of
models for a profession Components of
health care as collaborators in the care, that is, as metaparadigm.
people who are also responsible for their own
health. 1. Person- recipient of the nursing care, including
physical, spiritual psychological and sociocultural
Scope of Nursing
components and can include the individual, family
Nurses provide care three types of clients: or the community.
individuals, families, and communities. 2. Environment- all the internal and externa;
conditions, circumstances and influences affecting
Nursing practice involves four areas: promoting the person.
health and wellness, preventing illnesses, restoring 3. Health- degree of wellness or illness
health and care for the dying. experienced by the person
4. Nursing- actions, characteristics and attributes
Promoting Health and Wellness of the individual providing the nursing care.
Wellness
Kinds of Theories:
- state of the wellbeing.
• Stress Theory
- engaging in the attitudes and behavior that
• Development Theory
enhance the quality of life and maximize
• Goal Attainment Theory
personal potential.
• Role Theory
• Science of Unitary Human Being
Nurses promote wellness in clients who are both
• Family Theory
healthy and ill. This may involve individual and • Interactive Theories
community activities to enhance healthy lifestyles, • Adaptation Theories
such as improving nutrition and physical fitness, • Self Care Theory
preventing drug and alcohol misuse, restricting • General System Theory
smoking and preventing accidents and injury in the • Other Theories
home and workplace.
Preventing Illness Categories of Theories
The goal of illness and preventing programs is to *Range of Theories
maintain optimal health by preventing disease.
*Grand Theory
Nursing activities that prevent illness include
immunizations, prenatal and infant care, and * Metatheory
prevention of sexually transmitted disease.
*Middle Range Theory
*Practice Theory
 Goal Abstractions 2. Factor relating/ explanatory theory
• Grand Theory -presents relationship among concepts and
- complex and broadest in scope prepositions
-focuses on general, non-specific and abstract -aimed to provide information on how or why
concepts. concepts lack operational definitions and concept is related
-case and effect relationship are well explained
not directly amendable to testing.
-can be used in variety of setting population ex.: a research study about the factors affecting
newborns in failing to thrive
• Middle Range
-Theories 3. Situation relating/predictive theory
- lie between grand theories a nd practice theories
- to predict occurrence of phenomenon when the
-have fewer concepts and encompass a more
cause is present and able to describe future
limited aspect of reality. outcomes
-concepts are relatively concrete and often - this kind of theory is generated and tested on
operationally defines, using experimental research
-propositions are relatively concrete and can be
empirically tested. ex.: a theoretical model based on the observation
-used by "emerging disciplines" because they are of the effects of unsanitary environmental condition
readily operationalized -easier to apply in practice on the recovery of the post-operative patients.
-easier to apply in frameworks for research studies 4. Situation producing control/ prescriptive
theory
*There is a broad acceptance of the need to
develop middle range theories to support nursing - to prevent occurrence of the phenomenon by
practice. controlling or eliminating possible causes

*There is consistence with the desire to legitimate ex.: Laurente's (1996) theory validates and
nursing as a profession. explains the different nursing management in the
emergency room in reliving anxiety among its
Characteristics clients
1. ideas are relatively simple and general.
2. consider a limited number of variables or
concepts
3. have a substantive focus
4. consider a limited aspect of reality
5. can be tested empirically
6. focus on client problems and outcomes

• Practice Theory
4 steps involved to determine practice theories:
1. factor isolating/Descriptive Theory
-identify an describe major concepts of
phenomena, but do not explain the relationship of
the concepts.
- purpose: to present a phenomenon based on the
five senses together with their corresponding the
meaning.

ex.: a descriptive research about the Filipino