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Nursing theory is the term given to the body of knowledge that is used to support nursing practice. In their professional education nurses will study a range of interconnected subjects which can be applied to the practice setting. This knowledge may be derived from experiential learning, from formal sources such as nursing research or from non-nursing sources. To speak of nursing theory is often difficult. Nursing is many things to many people. Most universally agreed upon is that Nursing is a science involving people, environment and process fueled by a vision of transcendence in the context of healthcare. It is interesting to note that 90% of all Nursing theories have been generated in the last 20 years. Many schools encourage students to formulate personal philosophies or mid-range theories of Nursing as part of their curriculum. Some might argue that this multiplicity of theory is detrimental to the practice and undermines common vision. Others would say that the nature of the young science is sufficiently far reaching to require such tactics in order to elicit true consensus.
Nursing models are conceptual models, constructed of theories and concepts. They are used to help nurses assess, plan, and implement patient care by providing a framework within which to work. They also help nurses achieve uniformity and seamless care.
History of nursing models
There is no specific date and place nursing theory took place. Nursing took place at home, were mothers who were left at home nurse their children. Even those primitive people were already practicing this nursing or caring.
Major nursing theorists
- Helen Erickson
- Virginia Henderson
- Imogene King
- Madeleine Leininger
- Betty Neuman
- Dorothea Orem
- Ida Jean Orlando (Pelletier)
- Hildegard Peplau
- Rosemarie Rizzo-Parse
- Isabel Hampton Robb
- Martha E. Rogers
- Callista Roy
- Katherine Kolcaba
- Katie Eriksson
- Dr. Jean Watson
Purposely left off this list is that most famous of all nurses, Florence Nightingale. Nightingale never actually formulated a theory of nursing science but was posthumously accredited with same by others who categorized her personal journaling and communications into a theoretical framework.
Also left off are the many nurses who improved on these theorists' ideas without developing their own theoretical vision.
Examples of nursing models
The models used vary greatly between institutions and countries. However, different branches of nursing have different "preferred" nursing models. These are summarized below:
Family nursing
- Family centered care
- Self - care deficit
Psychiatric nursing
Children's nursing
Perinatal nursing
- Ramona T Mercer maternal role attainment
Adult nursing
- Nightingale's model of nursing
- Roper, Logan and Tierney
- Orem's Model of Nursing
Community and rehabilitation nursing
Critical care nursing
Holistic nursing
- Rogers: Science of Unitary Human Beings
- McGill Model of Nursing
- Parse: Human Becoming
- Erickson, Tomlin & Swain: Modeling and Role-Modeling
- Newman: Health as Expanding Consciousness
Future of nursing models
Nursing models have been criticized for failing to provide holistic care, and preventing nurses from thinking "outside of the box". This has been compounded by many hospitals who have developed "pre-printed" care plans that have been misused by nurses who have failed to customize these generic care plans to the patient. An example of this would be using a standard care plan for appendectomy for an elderly patient with multiple pathology (for instance diabetes, angina pectoris and a history of myocardial infarction). Evidently, the patient's care needs would be very different from a fit-and-healthy 20 year old male with no previous medical history who neither smokes nor drinks. It is up to the professional to tailor the care plan to suit the individual patient.
Models of nursing have always been accused of being "out of touch" with the harsh reality of patient care, and creating yet more unnecessary paperwork for nurses to complete.
Technological advances may produce client specific nursing models.
See also
External links
- Nursing Theory Page
- Nurses.info
- Nursing Theory Network
- Nightingale's Notes on Nursing at project Gutenberg
- Care Plan/Theory Samples
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
