Introduction to Nursing Theory
Nursing theory is an important aspect of nursing that nurses will become familiar with during their education, training and experience in the industry. Nursing theory is a body of knowledge that provides a framework of how to practice nursing. It is used to guide nursing research and actions, to predict practice outcomes, and to predict client response.
There are a number of universal nursing theories developed by some of the best known nurses including Helen Erickson, Dorothea Orem and Callista Roy. Below is an extensive list of resources pertaining to nursing theory including books, videos, journals, forums and blogs on grand theory, mid-range theory, and nursing theory practice in general.
General Websites on Nursing Theory - Mid-Range and Grand Nursing Theory Resources - Nursing Theory Books and Journals - Nursing Theory Blogs & Forums
General Websites on Nursing Theory
For a collection of resources related to specific theorists, The University of San Diego's Nursing Theory Resource is the place to go. A variety of web resources are grouped by the theorist who is responsible for development in the field.
A similar site is Clayton University's Nursing Theory page. The different theories are arranged by the name of the originator, such as Patricia Benner and Jean Watson.
The Transcultural Nursing Society seeks to improve the quality and accessibility of care worldwide, regardless of infrastructural or cultural barriers. Click the "theories" link for information on some nursing philosophers.
Another great nursing theory page to bookmark is Transcultural Care. While this site could use a design update, the information provided is interesting, ranging from an overview of upcoming presentations by the author to models of cultural competence and recommended books for nursing students.
Speaking of transcultural care theories, JointCenter.org has published a fascinating PDF document on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. A truly noble undertaking, the document outlines potential reasons, solutions, and complications surrounding the issue of disparities in health care.
Mid-Range and Grand Nursing Theory Resources
For information on specific theories, check out these resources which link to some of the most popular and influential nursing theories to date. Middle-Range Theory is moderately abstract and has a limited number of variables. These theories can be tested directly and are very useful in nursing research and practice. Grand Theory, on the other hand, is a conceptual framework that defines broad perspectives for nursing practice. These theories shape the past, present and future of nursing .
Ramona T. Mercer's Maternal Role Attainment is a mid-range theory that focuses on the maternal role through pregnancy. This is one of the most popular mid-range theories which has been published and written on in a variety of contexts -- unfortunately, most of her work is not available for free online. With a subscription, you can read Mercer's paper Becoming a Mother Versus Maternal Role Attainment.
Katherine Kolcaba's Theory of Comfort is another influential mid-range theory that is best understood through Kolcaba's website The Comfort Line. There are a number of downloads, videos and presentations that explain the Comfort Theory in full and provide examples on how to apply this popular theory to other industries outside of nursing.
Joanne Duffy's Quality Caring Model can be accessed through the Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Journal. As is the case with most journalistic works, this paper is not free, but the abstract is thorough enough to introduce you to the concepts.
Information on Kathy E. Barnard's Child Interaction middle-range theory can be accessed through her personal website at the University Of Washington School Of Nursing where she is currently Professor Emerita.
Information on Nola Pender's Health Promotion mid-range theory is available through the University of Michigan School of Nursing where Pender is currently a professor. Her personal website will direct you to a number of publications, FAQs on her Health Promotion Theory, and theoretical propositions.
Those looking for specific information on Betty Neuman's Systems Model will find it through the Neuman System Model Organization. Here you will find recent publications, newsletters and a power-point presentation of the NSM.
Modeling and Role Modeling Theory (MRM) by Erickson, Tomlin, and Swain is another popular grand theory. This site, sponsored by the Society of Advancement for Modeling and Role Modeling explains the theory in detail and provides relevant information pertaining to this important theory, including upcoming conferences.
All nurses should be familiar with Dorothea Orem's Self Car Model. A great site for all things Orem is the International Orem Society for Nursing Science and Scholarship which outlines the theory. It also includes publications, journals, and books dedicated to the great late theorist.
King International Nursing Group is one of the best resources online for anything and everything pertaining to Imogen King's Conceptual System. The King International Nursing Group features membership benefits, upcoming conference information, and documents relating to King and her theory.
For an overview of Virginia Henderson and her Need Theory, check out this Virginia Henderson biography, including details on the 14 basic human needs.
An excellent site highlighting Madeleine Leininger's Transcultural Nursing Model is Cultural-Competence-Project.org, which provides a more comprehensive look at one of the most influential woman in the school of nursing theory.
Margaret Newman's Health as Expanding Consciousness can be explored through Newman's personal website which provides an overview, biography, bibliography, and documents pertaining to this nursing theory.
The International Consortium of Parse Scholars has one of the most thorough guidelines to Rosemarie Rizzo Parse's Theory of Human Becoming. The site is meant to connect Parse scholars through forums, weekend gatherings, and conferences.
Humanistic Nursing Theory by Josephine Paterson and Loretta Zderad is explained through internationally renowned scholar Susan Kleiman. The site answers questions about the many concepts of Humanistic Nursing Theory, which is based on the idea that the defining event in nursing is the interaction between the patient and nurse.
Sister Callista Roy's influential nursing theory, Roy Adaptation Model influenced the Roy Adaptation Association which is a society of nursing scholars who seek to advance nursing practice by developing basic and clinical nursing knowledge based on the Roy Adaptation Model. The RAA features information on the Roy Adaptation Model as well as a number of publications and a conference.
An excellent site on Interpersonal Relations Model by Hildegard E. Peplau, the Hildegard E. Peplau Nursing Theorist Page provides links to her publications, videos, audio tapes, journals, and speeches highlighting her grand theory.
Jean Watson's Theory of Caring in Nursing can be accessed through the University of Colorado College of Nursing where Jean Watson currently teaches. Her personal webpage provides access to her biographical information, overview of her theory and articles for download among many other interesting links.
Nursing Theory Books and Journals
Prefer to relax on a couch than sit in front of a computer? Then take a look at the following textbooks and other publications.
Understanding the World of Nurse Theorists: A Creative Beginning, written by Dr Kathleen Sitzman and Lisa Wright Eichlberger, is meant for baccalaureate nursing students, and presents the most difficult concepts of nursing theory and 15 nursing theories through art. Any nurse, regardless of his or her level of education, could benefit from having this book as a reference.
Dictionary of Nursing Theory and Research is the collection of information essential to all nurses, not only those involved in research but also practicing. Written by Bethel Ann Powers RN, PhD, and Thomas R. Knapp EdD, this is another book that all nurses should keep on their shelves.
Analysis and Evaluation of Contemporary Nursing Knowledge: Nursing Models and Theories by Jacqueline Fawcett is another great textbook that lists the nursing process format for each conceptual model and theory and helps practicing and aspiring nurses understand how each theory is actually used in practice.
Connections: Nursing Research, Theory and Practice is another gold mine when it comes to nursing theory that connects theory, research, and clinical practice. Written by Anne Young, Susan Gebhardt, and Katherine McLaughlin, this text describes the connection between a real world clinical question, nursing theory, appropriate research tools, and actual research.
For a detailed look at a number of influential mid-range theories, check out Middle Range Theories: Applications to Nursing Research by Sandra Peterson and Timothy Bredow. This groundbreaking text is the most complete and detailed book devoted to middle-range theories and their applications in clinical nursing research.
For those looking for a specific book on the Roy Adaptation, one of the more influential grand theory models, then check out The Roy Adaptation Model-Based Research: 25 Years of Contributions to Nursing Science by Callista Roy.
Nursing Theorists and Their Work is another excellent reference guide to 33 of the most popular nursing theories in a clear, succinct form. Edited by Ann, PhD, Marriner-Tomey and Martha Raile, Ph.D. Alligood, this extensive book is organized for easy-reading and understanding. Another great nursing theory guideline brought to you by Marriner-Tomey and Alligood is Nursing Theory: Utilization and Application.
Pamela G Reed, Nelma B Crawford Shearer and Leslie H. Nicoll teamed up to create Perspectives on Nursing Theory, an anthology of 80 articles pertaining to nursing theory. With articles in classic and contemporary nursing from many of the great leaders in nursing over the past forty years, this is one compilation of essays that you should not go without reading.
Strategies for Theory Construction in Nursing by Lorraine Olszewski Walker and Kay Coalson Avant looks at the advances that have been made in theory and development and is another great guide to nursing models and theories over the past forty years.
Nursing Theories and Nursing Practice by Marylene Parker is another great book that contains chapters of nursing theories either written by the original theorists or by recognized authorities on the topics.
For those who would prefer a more colloquial read than the traditional textbook, the Journal of Advanced Nursing offers plenty of excellent articles and essays on nursing theory and breakthrough research.
Another excellent journal to delve into is Nursing Science Quarterly which looks at theory, research and practice and is edited by Rosemarie Rizzo Parse.
Nursing Theory Blogs & Forums
Have your say and hear what others have to think about middle range and grand theories with the following forums and blogs:
For those looking for a more informal account of the various nursing theories, then Nursing Theories is an excellent blog to look in to. It highlights a number of theorists including Callista Roy and Jean Watson with plenty of room for discussion.
Nursing Voices also provides an excellent general discussion for all nurses, including a number of discussions on nursing theories.
For those who would prefer to watch rather than read, Distinguished Nurse Theorists (2006) is an excellent DVD highlighting the life experiences and professional perspectives of renowned nurses. Some of the feature nurses include Virginia Henderson and Martha E. Rogers.
Nursing theory is an extremely influential and important aspect of nursing. For those in this industry, you are never too old or too experienced to continue your quest for knowledge and brush up on the foundations and breakthroughs that continue to shape the theories of nursing.