Nursing Theory
is defined as ‘a creative and rigorous structuring of ideas that project a tentative,
purposeful, and systematic view of phenomena’. It’s the association of related theories
that introduce action that model practice. Theory refers to “a coherent group of general
propositions used as principles of explanation"
Importance of Nursing Theories
In the early part of nursing’s history, knowledge was awfully lacking and in general a
difficult task from the very beginnings of any nursing education, there was a thirst and
need to categorize knowledge for this exact reason, so people could evaluate client
care situations in order to connect in comprehensible and essential ways.
Nursing theories give a plan for reflection in which to examine a certain direction in
where the plan needs to head. As new situations are encountered, this framework
provides an arrangement for management, investigation and decision-making. Nursing
theories also administer a structure for communicating with other nurses and with other
representatives and members of the health care team. Nursing theories assist the
development of nursing in formulating beliefs, values and goals. They help to define the
different particular contribution of nursing with the care of clients.[5] it's important for
researchers, and as a guideline for practical.
Types of nursing theories
1. Grand nursing theories
Grand nursing theories have the broadest scope and present general concepts and
propositions. Theories at this level may both reflect and provide insights useful for
practice but are not designed for empirical testing. This limits the use of grand nursing
theories for directing, explaining, and predicting nursing in particular situations. Theories
at this level are intended to be pertinent to all instances of nursing. Grand theories consist
of conceptual frameworks defining broad perspectives for practice and ways of looking at
nursing phenomena based on the perspectives.
2. Mid-range nursing theories
Middle-range nursing theories are narrower in scope than grand nursing theories and
offer an effective bridge between grand nursing theories and nursing practice. They
present concepts and a lower level of abstraction and hold great promise for increasing
theory-based research and nursing practice strategies.
