Theory Development in Nursing

Theory Development in Nursing

A theory is defined as a set of statements and propositions used to explain, describe, and predict real life phenomena as well as providing actions to achieve set goals. Theories are used to establish some standards that allow various disciplines to explain feasible relationships among different variables under observation.

Theories are used in nursing profession to describe the body of knowledge, establish nursing as a profession, stimulate further knowledge development and provide direction to nursing practice. This paper will examine the history of nursing theories, processes in nursing theories, classification of nursing theories and paradigms in nursing theory. Theory Development in Nursing

History of Nursing Theories and Concepts

The history of nursing theory development is traced back in 1860 through the work of theorist Nightingale on how to improve body’s reparative process by changing client’s environment. Other nursing theories developed included; therapeutic interpersonal processes by Peplau in 1952, nursing theory developed by Abdellah in 1960 and Johnson’s theory of 1968 among others. Theory Development in Nursing

Nursing theories differs in scope. Theories that have a broader scope are known as grand range theories. Such theories provide broad angle to structures and goals of nursing. Grand range theories are used as theoretical framework in the development of middle range theories. Middle range theories cover a narrow scope and have few variables.

Common Processes in the Development of Nursing Theories

General system theory, developmental theory, and adaptation theory influences the development of nursing theories. General system theory is used to disintegrate nursing profession into subgroups in order to learn how such subgroups work together. Theory Development in Nursing

Adaptation theory describes how living things adjust themselves to the prevailing environmental condition and therefore informs researchers on the relationship between environment and patients. Developmental theory describes human development and growth processes. It helps nursing field to understand behavior and progress of individuals in different stages. Theory Development in Nursing

Four Nursing Paradigms Important in Nursing Theory Development

Nursing theory is based on four main concepts that include environment, person, nursing and health. The concept of person focuses on the recipient of health care. Factors considered under this category include socio-economic status, culture, and spiritual affiliation among others.

Environment examines both external and internal factors influencing the patient. Health focuses on the quality of patient well-being while nursing examines how nurses apply skills and knowledge in the provision of nursing care. The four concepts are used to inform nursing theories and guides researchers on how they interact in nursing field.

Classifications of Nursing Theories

Various categories of nursing theory exist. Such categories are grouped based on function and includes descriptive, predictive, prescriptive and explanatory theories. Secondly, nursing theories are categorized based on philosophical foundations of the theories that include needs, outcome, humanistic and interactions theories. Other basis used to classify nursing theories include generalizability of nursing principles and the principles of the discipline identifications.