Nursing is an ancient practice that has evolved over time to include modern theories and approaches. Nursing theories are an important part of the field, as they provide a framework for nurses to use when caring for patients. They help to guide nurses in their decision making and care delivery, and provide a framework for improvement and evaluation. Types of nursing theories range from traditional to contemporary, each with its own unique set of assumptions and principles. In this blog post, we will explore the various types of nursing theories and their implications for patient care and healthcare delivery. We will discuss their usefulness in creating new and improved approaches to patient care, and how they are used in different clinical settings. We will also examine the impact of nursing theories on the nursing profession, so that nurses can make informed decisions about their practice. Finally, we will discuss the role of nursing theories in creating a more collaborative and holistic approach to care.
Main concepts for each type of nursing theory
Each nursing theory has unique ideas and may emphasize a different type of care. Here are the main concepts and purposes of each theory:
Environmental theory
Florence Nightingale developed this theory. It focuses on the significance of fostering a healing environment for patients in order to treat illnesses or achieve health objectives. The environmental theory also covers topics like managing ventilation, light, noise, facility cleanliness, bedding practices, personal hygiene, food safety, and patient support techniques. This theory’s main takeaway is that nurses can arrange patients’ rooms to speed up their recovery.
Theory of interpersonal relations
Hildegard Peplau created this theory, which emphasizes the advantages of good nurse-patient relationships. It suggests that interpersonal relations comprise four elements, including:
The main takeaway from this theory is that a patient’s well-being and general healthcare experience can be affected by a nurse’s interactions with and communication with them.
Nursing need theory
The nursing need theory comes from Virginia Henderson. It emphasizes regaining patient autonomy in order to hasten their recovery. It also emphasizes how nurses can attend to patients’ needs directly and teach them how to take care of their needs on their own. The main ideas behind this theory are that a nurse’s responsibility is to take care of patients at all stages of their recovery process and that a nurse’s objective can be to assist patients in returning to independent living.
Care, cure, core theory
Lydia Hall developed the care, cure, core theory. This theory focuses on nursing components that it contends are crucial These elements are care, cure and core. Nursing’s typical patient-care role is referred to as “care.” The care and treatments patients receive from medical professionals are referred to as a cure. The term “core” describes the nursing care provided to patients or potential cures brought on by successful treatment strategies. This theory’s central idea is that nursing care should be centered on the patient, who may each have unique needs.
Nursing process theory
Ida Jean Orlando developed the nursing process theory, which emphasizes the value of relationships between nurses and patients. According to the theory, patients’ actions can influence nurses just as much as nurses’ actions can influence patients. It also outlines five stages of patient care, including:
The main idea behind this theory is to provide patients with positive outcomes through professionalism.
Theory of human caring
According to Jean Watson, nurses can help people stay healthy and avoid illnesses by implementing treatment plans. Additionally, it emphasizes that each patient is unique, allowing nurses to tailor treatment to a patient’s potential for improvement rather than relying solely on a general assessment. This theory’s main tenet is that inclusive environments and personalized care can both help patients develop.
Self-care theory
The self-care theory in nursing, which examines a person’s capacity for self-care, was created by Dorothea Orem. This could entail leading a healthy lifestyle or controlling general wellbeing. By applying this theory to patient evaluation, you may be able to determine whether a patient has fully recovered or whether they still require care. This theory’s main tenet is that patients who need assistance with self-care frequently require ongoing nursing care, whereas those who can care for themselves may no longer require a nurse’s help.
Transcultural nursing theory
The Madeleine Leininger-developed transcultural nursing theory emphasizes the significance of nurses comprehending the various cultural backgrounds of their patients in order to ensure that they are giving care that is consistent with each patient’s personal and cultural values. Understanding transcultural nursing theory can help nurses give patients they serve individualized care. The fundamental tenet of this theory is that nurses can tailor each patient’s recovery plan to fit their values by learning about their beliefs.
21 nursing problems theory
The 21 nursing problems theory, which Faye Abdellah developed, emphasizes human needs. As they get ready to start practicing, nursing students typically review and consult this theory because it outlines the best ways to give patients comprehensive care. Nursing staff, patients, treatment programs, and societal factors may all be a part of comprehensive care. This theory’s central tenet is that nursing is an artistic form of care that necessitates positive attitudes, medical knowledge, and specialized skill sets from nurses.
What are the types of nursing theories?
Compared to other medical specialties like the surgical and dental professions, nursing is defined by nursing theories as being more specialized. They offer guidelines for nursing best practices at all reading levels. Here are some types of nursing theories:
Nursing theory levels
The level of a nursing theory reveals the complexity or simplicity of a concept. Here are the three main nursing theory levels:
Grand nursing
Grand nursing theories are typically more complex or abstract and may necessitate research to fully comprehend the theory’s concepts. At this level, theories might concentrate more on systems than specific intervention protocols. The transcultural nursing theory is one illustration of a grand nursing theory.
Middle-range nursing
Because they concentrate on more concrete topics, middle-range nursing theories are typically less abstract than grand nursing theories. Sometimes those who create middle-range theories for nursing add to grand theories by producing new research or documenting their nursing experiences. An example of a middle-range theory is the self-care theory.
Practice-level nursing
Grand or middle-range theories are less specific than practice-level theories in nursing. They focus on addressing specific situations. This level of theory can give nurses advice on how to perform particular interventions or give them best practices for nursing. In order to assist them with routine nursing tasks, nurses may also use nursing theories at the practice level. The theory of human caring is an illustration of a nursing theory at the practice level.
Who uses nursing theories?
Nursing students, nursing professors, clinical researchers, and practicing nurses are just a few of the nursing professionals who use nursing theories. The following is a detailed analysis of the different categories of nursing theory users:
Academic professionals and nursing students
Nursing theories are applicable in academic settings for both professors and students. When instructing nursing students about industry best practices, professors might use them. In addition, they might make use of nursing theories when instructing students on how to handle various patient types. Working with real or model patients in clinical settings can help students prepare for their future careers by providing them with a reference. Nursing theories can be used by instructors and students to conduct their own nursing research.
Researchers
Existing nursing theories can be used as resources by researchers to help them build well-informed foundations for their research projects. In their publications, researchers can demonstrate their comprehension of a specific nursing concept or specialty by citing current theories. For formal or informal research projects, such as research papers or case studies, researchers can use nursing theories.
Practicing nurses
When interacting directly with patients, professional, practicing nurses may use nursing theories as a guide. For instance, a nurse can use practice-level nursing theories to effectively assist a patient in recovering if they have a health condition they are unfamiliar with treating. Depending on their needs or personal preferences, nurses may use nursing theories occasionally or frequently.
THEORETICAL GUIDE TO NURSING THEORIES: Nursing Theories- History of Nursing Theories and more..
FAQ
What are the 4 nursing theories?
According to the Journal of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine, the four primary metaparadigms in nursing are person, environment, health, and nursing. Grand nursing theories, middle-range nursing theories, and practice-level nursing theories are all based on these four frameworks.
What are the 5 different system theories in nursing?
Von Bertalanffy’s work on systems theory has been incorporated into nursing theory. 1. Imogene King theory, Newman’s system theory, Rogers theory, Roy’s adaptation model, Orem’s self-care deficit theory, Johnson’s behavior system theory, and Roy’s adaptation model
What are the classification of nursing theories?
When categorizing nursing theories according to their level of abstraction, there are three main groups: grand theory, middle-range theory, and practice-level theory.
What are major nursing theories used in nursing practice?
- Environmental theory.
- Theory of interpersonal relations.
- Nursing need theory.
- Care, cure, core theory.
- Nursing process theory.
- Theory of human caring.
- Self-care theory.
- Transcultural nursing theory.
