Theories in the Nursing Field The nursing field comprises different theories that are used to govern nursing practice through offering different perspectives and views of phenomena. A theory can be defined as the development of a link between concepts that create a certain view of a phenomenon (Jackson, n.d.). The theories in the nursing field focus on issues that are relevant to enhancing patient care, overall nursing practice, and nursing education. Moreover, these theories are used to define, create, and distribute existing knowledge in the profession as part of efforts towards improving nursing practice. The theories in nursing field are classified into different categories i.e. ground nursing theories, nursing practice theories, and mid-range nursing theories. Some examples of these various types of nursing theories include Nola J. Pender’s Health Promotion Model (HPM) and Mid-Range Theory. These theories differ in terms of the theorists’ backgrounds and their experiences, description of theory, assumptions, and application in nursing practice. Health Promotion Model and Mid-Range Theory The Health Promotion Model was developed by Dr. Nola J. Pender and is used globally for nursing education, research, and practice. This theory helps nursing professionals and practitioners to understand the main determinants of health behaviors at the key for behavioral counseling to enhance health lifestyles. The Health Promotion Model was first introduced in nursing
designed to guide the practice of nursing” (Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing, 2012). Nursing theories can help patients, managers and other healthcare professionals to recognize what and how much that nurses do contribute to the healthcare field. I never did realize how important theories in nursing practice could be until I became a nursing student myself. Nurses use theories in their everyday practice, but never think about them as being
Nursing theories have been a fundamental tool used to explain, guide and improve the practice of nursing. Theorists have contributed enormously to the growth of nursing as a profession. The four grand theorists I chose are Virginia Henderson, Peplau, Myra Levine and Jean Watson. These theorists have contributed tremendously in the field of nursing through their theories, and research. One thing the theorists have in common is that they are patient centered. They are all concerned on ways we can improve our responsibility to the patients, their families and the environment. They have different ideas but they are all aiming towards achieving the same goal, which is patient satisfaction and safety. Their differences are in their areas of
The purpose of the nursing theories is to provide an interrelating framework focusing on the nursing practice. The defined nursing theories promote better patient care, improve the status of nursing profession, and improve the communication between the nurses, and provide guidance to the researches and education (Keefe, 2011). Not all nursing theories have the same meanings; however, they play the important role of explaining the key concepts and principles of nursing practice in understanding way.
A theory encompasses a cluster of concepts which descried a set or pattern of reality (Taylor, Lillis, Lynn, 2011, p. 27). A set of concepts that follow a logical pattern makes up a model (Taylor, et al., 2011, p. 27). The model makes up a set of steps which follow a blue print that tells an individual what the next step should be (Taylor, et al., 2011, p. 27). Nursing theories are ones that are specific to the nursing career field and allows nursing to be established as its own professional entity similar to the medical doctor profession (Taylor, et al., 2011, p. 27). Nursing theories are used in research to determine the best means of improving care of patients in the health care system (Taylor, et al., 2011, p.27). These theories describe,
I am currently employed in the Veteran’s Affairs Loma Linda HCS in the Emergency Department. Our target population are adults, mainly male, with multiple on-going health conditions. In our ED, we see a huge volume of veterans who have chronic illnesses and conditions. I noticed that many re-peat ED visits that could have been easily avoided and prevented. Some are legitimate emergencies and urgencies, but unfortunately the great majority are the result of non-compliance, lack of adequate knowledge in managing illness and failure to partner with their care provider to promote better overall health.
Health promotion (HP) is a multi-dimensional and complex concept which the researcher is frequently used and defined in different ways. One of the nursing roles for nurses is the promoter of health; therefore it would be useful to attempt to clarify the concept. This article develops a concept analysis is to clarify the meaning of an existing concept of HP using the process developed by Pender, Murdaugh, and Parsons (2006). The method suggested by Walker and Avant guided this concept analysis. Attributes, model cases, antecedents and consequences, and empirical references are described. The implications for further research are also described.
Nursing is a unique profession which is built upon theories that guide everyday nursing practice. According to Taylor, Lillis, & Lynn (2015), “Nursing theory differentiates nursing from other disciplines and activities in that it serves the purposes of describing, explaining, predicting, and controlling desired outcomes of nursing care practices” (p. 27). Many nurses may unknowingly apply a theory or a combination thereof, along with critical thinking to get the best outcome for a patient. Theories are used in practice today because they have been supported by research and help the profession uphold its boundaries. Most nursing theories consist of four concepts which are the patient, the environment, health, and nursing. Each patient is at the center of focus and they have the right to determine what care will be given to them using informed
Theories are used in nursing practice for various reasons to describe, explain, predict and prescribe. Grand theories (or conceptual models), provide a framework model for clinical practice, education, administration, methodology, and discipline inquiry, however, they cannot be applied directly to practice. As an alternative, middle-range theories are the ones that are applied directly into nursing practice and they must be consistent with the adopted conceptual model (Whetsell, Gonzalez, & Moreno-Fergusson, 2013).
Nursing concepts can be abstract or concrete and may be categorized as a variable or non-variable. Nursing concept can also be classified as theoretical or operational. Nola Pender’s theory concepts examines the “individual characteristics and experiences, behavior-specific cognitions, affect, and behavioral outcomes” (McEwen, 2014, p. 235). The individual characteristics can be influenced by biological, psychological or socio-cultural variables. Nursing practice utilizing Pender’s theory takes into account the “perceived self-efficacy, benefit and barriers” which can affect the patient’s actions (McEwen, 2014, p. 235). The “interpersonal and situational influences” are also other areas of Pender’s theory concepts that identifies a “commitment to plan of action for health promoting behavior” (McEwen, 2014, p. 235).
Nursing theories can be categorized considering their levels of perception, and the literature mentions that there are two kinds of concepts: grand theories and middle-range theories. Whether concepts are grand or mid-range (MR), we establish corrective intellectual and influence practice and investigation. By description, grand concepts are theoretical, complex, and detached from practice. We are not destined to be simply grasped or experienced. Associated with grand theories, MR theories enclose less perception and interactions, are adjustable to an extensive range of practice and knowledge, can be made from numerous sources, and are solid enough to be experienced. For these reasons, MR principles are predominantly persuasive as nursing science statements the encounters of the 21st period.
The Health Promotion Model (HPM) by Nola Pender was formulated with the concept of patient self-care to prevent illnesses. The model posits that diseases can be averted using healthy behaviors and choices (Nursing Theories, 2011). She proposed the theory that could be applied in conjunction with other models to protect health. Pender recommended that the state of health was dynamic and not merely being in ill health. It involves living a life that reflects and promotes overall well-being. HPM teaches that health is a multifaceted pursuit that cannot be separated from biological, sociocultural, and environmental factors.
Born in 1941 in Lansing, Michigan, Nola Pender started her career in nursing in West Suburban Hospital School of Nursing where she received her nursing diploma. She continued her studies in Michigan State University where she obtained a B.S. in nursing and M.A in human growth and development, and earning a Ph. D. from Northwestern University. Pender’s Health Promotion Model (HPM) originated from research done during her doctoral dissertation. Pender stated that health is defined “…as a positive dynamic state rather than simply the absence of disease” (“Health Promotion Model - Nursing Theory,” 2013). Through her research, she believed that by modifying the behaviors and promoting a positive well-being, many of the problems or illnesses can be prevented before they occur. HPM was first released 1982 with the following factors: importance of health, perceived control of health, definition of health, perceived health status, perceived health efficacy, perceived benefits, and
“Health promotion is an attempt to improve the health status of an individual or community, and is concerned with the prevention of disease, though this is not its only purpose, as health is not merely the absence of disease” ( Maben, & Clark, 1995, p. 1163). Health promotion is commonly used term in health care world, and in current society the promotion of health has greater significance, especially with the rise in consumerism. Health promotion is a vital concept for nursing, symbolizing notions that nursing is related today. Nurses are being urged to take a health promotion role, and are deemed by others as an ideal role for them. It is therefore crucial that nurses cognize the meaning of health promotion and also what is expected from them by undertaking this role (Raphael, 1998).
“The major goals of health promotion are to help people of all ages stay healthy, optimize health in cases of chronic disease or disability, and create healthy environments” (Pender et al., 2015). This health promotion project is designed to identify and reduce the risk factors associated with several illnesses and disease processes. This project will focus on changing lifestyle behaviors and providing up to date education for the patient to make the best informed decision regarding her environment, health behaviors, and developing a support system with her primary care physician.
The health promotion model is a theory of nursing that was developed by Dr. Nola Pender. Her theory was first proposed in 1982 and then revised in 1996. Dr. Pender was influenced by the work of James Hall, who studied people’s behavior and its correlation to health. Her work is a middle-range theory, as there are specific concepts that are observable, that she designed to be a counterpart to models of health protection in which health is simply viewed as the absence of illness. Pender’s theory was critiqued using the criteria from Fawcett (2005). Although there are limitations to Pender’s health promotion model, her theory is the best to use in nursing as it focuses on the promotion of individualized optimal health and produces increased positive outcomes.