Overview of Theory of Nursing

Nursing theory

Theory of nursing refers to a group of propositions, relationships, concepts, definitions, or concepts, which come from different fields or nursing models. These are usually used to propose an orderly view of events through ways namely prescribing, describing and predicting, among others. These theories are usually meant for professional nursing. This paper will give an overview of theories of nursing (McCurry, Revell & Roy, 2010, pp. 42–52).

How Theory of Nursing has evolved

Nightngale first coined nursing theories in the 1860s. He did this using the client’s environment. Several theorists like paplau, Henderson, Abdellah and Orlando, followed this. Others included Johnson, Rogers, Orem, King, Neuman, Roy, and Watson who came up with the philosophy of caring. During this period, numerous theories came up namely, stress reduction, adaptation model and self-care deficit, among others (O’Connell, 2009, pp. 2733–2762).

Classification of nursing theories

Nursing theories are classified into four main categories namely, needs, interaction, outcome and humanistic theories. Needs theories are utilized to help people achieve their potentials both mentally and physically. On the other hand, interaction theories try to define outcome theories the relationship between patients and nurses. Additionally, outcome theories show nurses as significant forces who help patients to adapt to illness. Ultimately, humanistic theories focus on a person’s destiny which it they claim to have been decided (Kolcaba, Tilton & Drouin, 2006, pp. 538-544).

How nursing theory can lead to development of research questions

Nursing theories try to come up with acceptable concepts in nursing practice. These concepts must be researched to come up with reliable concepts. This can only be achieved through creation of research questions, which validates the theories (CurrentNursing, 2012).

Application

Nursing theories define the fundamentals of nursing practice; this is significant as it defines nursing. Moreover, it helps to maintain nursing boundaries for nursing professionals. As a director of nursing, I try all I can to follow the theories of nursing. Nonetheless, surgeons tend to divert slightly from the theories in order to achieve their goals in practice. This usually depends with circumstances during surgery. However, evidence based practice is essential in providing new knowledge for improvement of nursing practice.

References

CurrentNursing (2012). Nursing Theories. Web.

Kolcaba, K., Tilton, C., & Drouin, C. (2006). Comfort theory: A unifying framework to enhance the practice environment. Journal of Nursing Administration, 36(11), 538–544.

McCurry, M. K., Revell, S. M. H., & Roy, S. C. (2010). Knowledge for the good of the individual and society: Linking philosophy, disciplinary goals, theory, and practice. Nursing Philosophy, 11(1), 42–52. Web.

O’Connell, K. (2009). Theories used in nursing research on smoking cessation. Annual Review of Nursing Research, 2733–2762. Web.