Theory is central to effective nursing practice and research. Nursing theory offers a framework for thought in which nurses examine situations. This framework supplies structure and organization to nursing knowledge and provides a methodical means of collecting data to interpret, explain, and predict nursing practice (McEwen & Willis, 2014, p. 36). Nursing theory is crucial for the evolution of the nursing discipline. The knowledge that is developed through nursing research is used to test existing theories and to generate new theories and ideas. The practice of nursing is based on theories that are validated through research in nursing. Nursing theories can be classified into three different categories based on range in complexity and scope
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These theories present general concepts and propositions. Grand theories deal with nonspecific and relatively nonconcrete concepts that lack operational definitions. Similar to a conceptual model, they describe a certain viewpoint that is pertinent across many different fields within nursing and may integrate many other different theories (McEwen & Willis, 2014, p.117). Grand theory is testable but the concepts and relationships involved are very abstract to where they make empirical testing difficult. An example of a grand nursing theory is Virginia Henderson’s “Definition of Nursing.”
Henderson defined nursing care as “primarily helping people in the performance of those activities contributing to health, or its recovery that they would perform unaided if they had the necessary strength, will, or knowledge… the unique contribution of nursing to help people to be independent of such assistance as soon as possible.” (Waller-Wise, 2013, p. 31).
Henderson also identified fourteen basic human needs on which nursing care is based. Henderson’s concept of nursing has been a great contribution to the area of nursing education and has been utilized by health organizations that are seeking Magnet status (Waller-Wise, 2013, p. …show more content…
Compared to grand theories, they are more concrete, narrower in scope, and more applicable and closer to practice (McEwen & Willis, 2014, p. 215). There are some generalizations across settings and specialties. There are also a limited number of concepts in these theories. Middle-ranged theories are intended to answer questions about nursing phenomena, but they do not include the entirety of the specific phenomena to the discipline. The concepts and relationships in middle range theories are directed more at specific nursing situations, interventions, and outcomes. Middle-range theories may be one of three things: 1) a description of a particular phenomenon, 2) an interpretation of the relationship between phenomena, or 3) a prediction of the effects of one phenomenon or another (McEwen & Willis, 2014, p. 38). Middle-range theories are more susceptible to empirical testing through research and can be used to suggest an intervention. Madeleine Leininger’s Cultural Care Diversity and Universality Theory demonstrates a middle range nursing theory. The theory establishes the importance of considering the effect of culture on health and healing (McEwen & Willis, 2014, p. 233). When clients experience healthcare that is not reasonably congruent with their beliefs and values, they demonstrate signs of cultural conflict evidenced by increased stress, decreased attention to
These theories present general concepts and propositions. Grand theories deal with nonspecific and relatively nonconcrete concepts that lack operational definitions. Similar to a conceptual model, they describe a certain viewpoint that is pertinent across many different fields within nursing and may integrate many other different theories (McEwen & Willis, 2014, p.117). Grand theory is testable but the concepts and relationships involved are very abstract to where they make empirical testing difficult. An example of a grand nursing theory is Virginia Henderson’s “Definition of Nursing.”
Henderson defined nursing care as “primarily helping people in the performance of those activities contributing to health, or its recovery that they would perform unaided if they had the necessary strength, will, or knowledge… the unique contribution of nursing to help people to be independent of such assistance as soon as possible.” (Waller-Wise, 2013, p. 31).
Henderson also identified fourteen basic human needs on which nursing care is based. Henderson’s concept of nursing has been a great contribution to the area of nursing education and has been utilized by health organizations that are seeking Magnet status (Waller-Wise, 2013, p. …show more content…
Compared to grand theories, they are more concrete, narrower in scope, and more applicable and closer to practice (McEwen & Willis, 2014, p. 215). There are some generalizations across settings and specialties. There are also a limited number of concepts in these theories. Middle-ranged theories are intended to answer questions about nursing phenomena, but they do not include the entirety of the specific phenomena to the discipline. The concepts and relationships in middle range theories are directed more at specific nursing situations, interventions, and outcomes. Middle-range theories may be one of three things: 1) a description of a particular phenomenon, 2) an interpretation of the relationship between phenomena, or 3) a prediction of the effects of one phenomenon or another (McEwen & Willis, 2014, p. 38). Middle-range theories are more susceptible to empirical testing through research and can be used to suggest an intervention. Madeleine Leininger’s Cultural Care Diversity and Universality Theory demonstrates a middle range nursing theory. The theory establishes the importance of considering the effect of culture on health and healing (McEwen & Willis, 2014, p. 233). When clients experience healthcare that is not reasonably congruent with their beliefs and values, they demonstrate signs of cultural conflict evidenced by increased stress, decreased attention to