What are Nursing Theories?
Nursing theories are organized bodies of knowledge to define what nursing is, what nurses
do, and why they do it. Nursing theories provide a way to define nursing as a unique
discipline that is separate from other disciplines (e.g., medicine). It is a framework of
concepts and purposes intended to guide nursing practice at a more concrete and specific
level.
Nursing, as a profession, is committed to recognizing its own unparalleled body of
knowledge vital to nursing practice—nursing science. To distinguish this foundation of
knowledge, nurses need to identify, develop, and understand concepts and theories in line
with nursing. As a science, nursing is based on the theory of what nursing is, what nurses do,
and why. Nursing is a unique discipline and is separate from medicine. It has its own body of
knowledge on which delivery of care is based.
Defining Terms
The development of nursing theory demands an understanding of selected terminologies,
definitions, and assumptions.
, • Philosophy. These are beliefs and values that define a way of thinking and are
generally known and understood by a group or discipline.
• Theory. A belief, policy, or procedure proposed or followed as the basis of action. It
refers to a logical group of general propositions used as principles of explanation.
Theories are also used to describe, predict, or control phenomena.
• Concept. Concepts are often called the building blocks of theories. They are primarily
the vehicles of thought that involve images.
• Models. Models are representations of the interaction among and between the
concepts showing patterns. They present an overview of the theory’s thinking and
may demonstrate how theory can be introduced into practice.
• Conceptual framework. A conceptual framework is a group of related ideas,
statements, or concepts. It is often used interchangeably with the conceptual
model and with grand theories.
• Proposition. Propositions are statements that describe the relationship between the
concepts.
• Domain. The domain is the perspective or territory of a profession or discipline.
• Process. Processes are organized steps, changes, or functions intended to bring
about the desired result.
• Paradigm. A paradigm refers to a pattern of shared understanding and assumptions
about reality and the world, worldview, or widely accepted value system.
• Metaparadigm. A metaparadigm is the most general statement of discipline and
functions as a framework in which the more restricted structures of conceptual
models develop. Much of the theoretical work in nursing focused on articulating
relationships among four major concepts: person, environment, health, and nursing.
History of Nursing Theories
The first nursing theories appeared in the late 1800s when a strong emphasis was placed
on nursing education.
• In 1860, Florence Nightingale defined nursing in her “Environmental Theory” as “the
act of utilizing the patient’s environment to assist him in his recovery.”
• In the 1950s, there is a consensus among nursing scholars that nursing needed to
validate itself through the production of its own scientifically tested body of
knowledge.
• In 1952, Hildegard Peplau introduced her Theory of Interpersonal Relations that
emphasizes the nurse-client relationship as the foundation of nursing practice.
, • In 1955, Virginia Henderson conceptualized the nurse’s role as assisting sick or
healthy individuals to gain independence in meeting 14 fundamental needs. Thus
her Nursing Need Theory was developed.
• In 1960, Faye Abdellah published her work “Typology of 21 Nursing Problems,”
which shifted the focus of nursing from a disease-centered approach to a patient-
centered approach.
• In 1962, Ida Jean Orlando emphasized the reciprocal relationship between patient
and nurse and viewed nursing’s professional function as finding out and meeting the
patient’s immediate need for help.
• In 1968, Dorothy Johnson pioneered the Behavioral System Model and upheld the
fostering of efficient and effective behavioral functioning in the patient to prevent
illness.
• In 1970, Martha Rogers viewed nursing as both a science and an art as it provides a
way to view the unitary human being, who is integral with the universe.
• In 1971, Dorothea Orem stated in her theory that nursing care is required if the
client is unable to fulfill biological, psychological, developmental, or social needs.
• In 1971, Imogene King‘s Theory of Goal attainment stated that the nurse is
considered part of the patient’s environment and the nurse-patient relationship is for
meeting goals towards good health.
• In 1972, Betty Neuman, in her theory, states that many needs exist, and each may
disrupt client balance or stability. Stress reduction is the goal of the system model of
nursing practice.
• In 1979, Sr. Callista Roy viewed the individual as a set of interrelated systems that
maintain the balance between these various stimuli.
• In 1979, Jean Watson developed the philosophy of caring, highlighted humanistic
aspects of nursing as they intertwine with scientific knowledge and nursing practice.
The Nursing Metaparadigm
Four major concepts are frequently interrelated and fundamental to nursing theory: person,
environment, health, and nursing. These four are collectively referred to as metaparadigm
for nursing.
,
Nursing theories are organized bodies of knowledge to define what nursing is, what nurses
do, and why they do it. Nursing theories provide a way to define nursing as a unique
discipline that is separate from other disciplines (e.g., medicine). It is a framework of
concepts and purposes intended to guide nursing practice at a more concrete and specific
level.
Nursing, as a profession, is committed to recognizing its own unparalleled body of
knowledge vital to nursing practice—nursing science. To distinguish this foundation of
knowledge, nurses need to identify, develop, and understand concepts and theories in line
with nursing. As a science, nursing is based on the theory of what nursing is, what nurses do,
and why. Nursing is a unique discipline and is separate from medicine. It has its own body of
knowledge on which delivery of care is based.
Defining Terms
The development of nursing theory demands an understanding of selected terminologies,
definitions, and assumptions.
, • Philosophy. These are beliefs and values that define a way of thinking and are
generally known and understood by a group or discipline.
• Theory. A belief, policy, or procedure proposed or followed as the basis of action. It
refers to a logical group of general propositions used as principles of explanation.
Theories are also used to describe, predict, or control phenomena.
• Concept. Concepts are often called the building blocks of theories. They are primarily
the vehicles of thought that involve images.
• Models. Models are representations of the interaction among and between the
concepts showing patterns. They present an overview of the theory’s thinking and
may demonstrate how theory can be introduced into practice.
• Conceptual framework. A conceptual framework is a group of related ideas,
statements, or concepts. It is often used interchangeably with the conceptual
model and with grand theories.
• Proposition. Propositions are statements that describe the relationship between the
concepts.
• Domain. The domain is the perspective or territory of a profession or discipline.
• Process. Processes are organized steps, changes, or functions intended to bring
about the desired result.
• Paradigm. A paradigm refers to a pattern of shared understanding and assumptions
about reality and the world, worldview, or widely accepted value system.
• Metaparadigm. A metaparadigm is the most general statement of discipline and
functions as a framework in which the more restricted structures of conceptual
models develop. Much of the theoretical work in nursing focused on articulating
relationships among four major concepts: person, environment, health, and nursing.
History of Nursing Theories
The first nursing theories appeared in the late 1800s when a strong emphasis was placed
on nursing education.
• In 1860, Florence Nightingale defined nursing in her “Environmental Theory” as “the
act of utilizing the patient’s environment to assist him in his recovery.”
• In the 1950s, there is a consensus among nursing scholars that nursing needed to
validate itself through the production of its own scientifically tested body of
knowledge.
• In 1952, Hildegard Peplau introduced her Theory of Interpersonal Relations that
emphasizes the nurse-client relationship as the foundation of nursing practice.
, • In 1955, Virginia Henderson conceptualized the nurse’s role as assisting sick or
healthy individuals to gain independence in meeting 14 fundamental needs. Thus
her Nursing Need Theory was developed.
• In 1960, Faye Abdellah published her work “Typology of 21 Nursing Problems,”
which shifted the focus of nursing from a disease-centered approach to a patient-
centered approach.
• In 1962, Ida Jean Orlando emphasized the reciprocal relationship between patient
and nurse and viewed nursing’s professional function as finding out and meeting the
patient’s immediate need for help.
• In 1968, Dorothy Johnson pioneered the Behavioral System Model and upheld the
fostering of efficient and effective behavioral functioning in the patient to prevent
illness.
• In 1970, Martha Rogers viewed nursing as both a science and an art as it provides a
way to view the unitary human being, who is integral with the universe.
• In 1971, Dorothea Orem stated in her theory that nursing care is required if the
client is unable to fulfill biological, psychological, developmental, or social needs.
• In 1971, Imogene King‘s Theory of Goal attainment stated that the nurse is
considered part of the patient’s environment and the nurse-patient relationship is for
meeting goals towards good health.
• In 1972, Betty Neuman, in her theory, states that many needs exist, and each may
disrupt client balance or stability. Stress reduction is the goal of the system model of
nursing practice.
• In 1979, Sr. Callista Roy viewed the individual as a set of interrelated systems that
maintain the balance between these various stimuli.
• In 1979, Jean Watson developed the philosophy of caring, highlighted humanistic
aspects of nursing as they intertwine with scientific knowledge and nursing practice.
The Nursing Metaparadigm
Four major concepts are frequently interrelated and fundamental to nursing theory: person,
environment, health, and nursing. These four are collectively referred to as metaparadigm
for nursing.
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