preview

Essay about Imogene King's Theory

Good Essays

Imogene King’s Theory of Goal Attainment Abstract This paper is about Imogene King and her Theory of Goal Attainment. This paper details the components of the theory as well as practical application of those components today. Goal setting and patient education are discussed in relation to King’s theory. The role of the nurse as educator is explained. The importance of King’s theory and practical application of that theory is displayed. Imogene King was not only involved in nursing for 60 years, but she was a leader in nursing right from her start in the diploma program at St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing, St. Louis, Missouri. King saw nursing as a challenge. She credits her Jesuit education, her perception of personal …show more content…

“The basic concept of the theory is that the nurse and patient communicate information, set goals together, and then take actions to achieve those goals. It describes an interpersonal relationship that allows a person to grow and develop in order to attain certain life goals. The factors that affect the attainment of goals are roles, stress, space, and time” (Nursing Theory, 2011). King desired to advance the profession of nursing by developing a framework and theory that can be understood and used by all nurses, in any situation. She not only developed the theory but she always remained active in the profession and availed herself to nursing students around the clock to aid with their knowledge and application of the theory right up until her sudden death in 2007. King’s theory encompasses all facets of the patient’s being. Focusing on nurse patient communication and goal attainment created the backbone for King’s theory. The three essential components of her theory that will be discussed are “the need for health information, the need for care that seeks to prevent illness, and the need for care when the patient is unable to help themselves” (Nursing Theory, 2011). The need for health information is a very important component when caring for the patient holistically. To utilize the goal attainment theory a nurse must provide the patient with all the information that is relevant and

Get Access