Perspectives of Nursing Theory – An Overview

L. Anand

Lecturer,

College of Nursing,

NEIGRIHMS,

Shillong

INTRODUCTION Profession-specialized body of knowledge

Nursing profession -relied on theories

from other disciplines.

Nursing -Needs own body of knowledge.

This knowledge can be expressed as

conceptual MODELS and THEORIES.

“ARE YOU SURE THE CURRENT RESEARCH BASED ON “NURSING THEORIES”?

INTRODUCTION

Nursing Theories and models

Define Nursing

Principles that form the basis for practice

Goal and functions of Nursing.

Scope of Nursing Practice

CONCEPTS

An idea of an object, property or event

Vehicle of mental images & building

blocks of theory

Types of concepts:

Empirical, Inferential and AbstractProposition: statements of relationship

between concepts

THEORIES

Logically interrelated concepts

Begin as untested premises(hypotheses)

and tested through research

Framework - to organize knowledge and

explain phenomenon in nursing.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THEORY

Logical, Simple and Generalizable

Composed of concepts and prepositions

Provide the bases for testable hypothesis

Consistent with other validated theories

Contribute to body of knowledge

CHARACTERISTICS OF THEORY

Facilitate communication, practice and

systematic thinking

Ethical and moral structure to guide nurse

actions

Facilitates coordinated and less fragment

care

Analyze and explain –what nurses do

MODELS Symbolic and schematic representation-Set of

interrelated concepts, mental image and

phenomenon

Highly abstract than theories

Deals larger and more general concept

Use of symbols or diagrams

Analyze and explain –what nurses do

MODELS Describe, explain and predicts phenomenon

Provide organized framework

Facilitate communication and unified approach to

practice, teaching, administration and research

Conceptual models are based on Metaparadigm

Analyze and explain –what nurses do

METAPARADIGM Global and philosophical framework

Defines and describes relationship of Major

Concepts/ideas/values

Guides in organization of theories and models

Four concepts: Person,Environment,Health and

Nursing

Analyze and explain –what nurses do

CLASSIFICATION OF NURSING THEORIES

Based on range/scope/abstractness

1. Metatheory

2. Grand theories

3. Middle range theories

4. Practice theories/Micro theories

METATHEORY

Theory of theories

Focus on

generating knowledge and theory development

Philosophical issues and methodological issues

Criteria to analyze and evaluate theories

E.g: J.Dickoff’s and P.James’s Theory of theories

GRAND THEORY

Complex and broadest in scope

Focus on general, non specific and abstract

concepts--Concepts lack operational definitions

and not directly amenable to testing

Can be used in variety of setting and

populations E.g Orem’s,Roy,Rogers

MIDDLE RANGE THEORY

Simple and yet broadest in scope

Focus on concrete, specific and least

abstract concepts—Concepts have

relative operational definitions and

amenable to testing

Can be used in variety of setting and

populations

MIDDLE RANGE THEORY

Concepts and propositions specific to nursing

Readily operationalized

Applied in many situations

Highly relevant to potential users

Outcome oriented

E.g Benner’s Model of Skill acquisition in Nursing

PRACTICE /MICRO THEORY

Concepts are narrowly defined, list

specific goal and action

Least complex in nature &more specific

than middle range

Provide specific directions and limited to

specific populationsE.g social learning theory,stress and coping

Characteristic Grand Theories Middle-Range Theories Practice Theories

Complexity/ abstractness, scope

Comprehensive, global view point (all aspects of human experience)

Less comprehensive than grand theories, middle view of reality

Focused on a narrow view of reality, simple and straightforward

Generalizibility/ specificity

Nonspecific, general application to the discipline irrespective of setting or specialty area

Some generalizablity across settings and specialities, but more specific than grand theories

Linked to special populations or an identified field of practice

Characteristics of concepts

Concepts abstract and not operationally defined

Limited number of concepts that are fairly concrete and may be operationally defined

Single, concrete concept that is operationalized

Characteristics of propositions

Propositions not always explicit

Propositions are clearly stated

Propositions defined

Testability Not generally testable May generate testable

hypothesesGoals or outcomes defined and testable

Source of development

Developed through thoughtful appraisal and careful consideration over many years

Evolve from grand theories, clinical practice, literature review, practice guidelines

Derived from practice or deduced from middle-range or grand theory

CLASSIFICATION OF THEORIES

Based on Philosophical underpinnings Developmental theories System theories Interaction theoriesBased on Philosophical underpinnings Descriptive theories Explanatory theories Predictive theories Prescriptive theories

Questions?

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