What are the 3 main categories of nursing theory?

The three main categories of the nursing theory are:

  1. Grand nursing theories: These are broad in scope and provide a comprehensive framework for understanding nursing practice. They are often complex and abstract and seek to explain the nature of nursing and its role in healthcare. Examples of grand nursing theories include the theory of human caring by Jean Watson and the self-care deficit theory by Dorothea Orem.
  2. Middle-range nursing theories: These are narrower in focus than grand nursing theories, and provide a more specific and practical framework for understanding nursing practice. They often deal with specific patient populations or health problems and can be tested and applied through research. Examples of middle-range nursing theories include the chronic sorrow theory by Georgene Gaskill Eakes, Mary Lermann Burke, and Margaret A. Hainsworth, and the theory of uncertainty in illness by Merle H. Mishel.
  3. Practice nursing theories: These are focused on the practical aspects of nursing care, and provide guidance for the delivery of care in specific settings or situations. They are often developed by nurses who work in clinical practice and are based on their experiences and observations. Examples of practice nursing theories include the theory of holistic comfort by Katharine Kolcaba and the clinical decision-making model by Patricia Benner.

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What is a nursing theory?

A nursing theory is a set of concepts, definitions, relationships, and assumptions or propositions that are derived from nursing models or other disciplines, and are used to explain, describe, predict, or prescribe nursing care. Nursing theories provide a framework for understanding the nature of the nursing practice, including the roles and responsibilities of nurses, the patient-nurse relationship, and the impact of nursing on patient outcomes.

Nursing theories can be used to guide clinical practice, education, research, and policy development in nursing. They can also be used to evaluate and improve the quality of nursing care, as well as to develop new models and approaches to nursing practice.

How are the 3 main nursing theories categorized?

A summary of the 3 main categories of nursing theory;

Nursing theories can be categorized based on their scope and level of abstraction. Grand nursing theories are broad in scope and provide a comprehensive framework for understanding nursing practice. Middle-range nursing theories are more focused and specific and deal with specific patient populations or health problems. Practice nursing theories are focused on the practical aspects of nursing care, and provide guidance for the delivery of care in specific settings or situations.

How can a nursing theory be applied in practice? Example

An example of how nursing theory can be applied in practice is through the use of the Self-Care Deficit Theory by Dorothea Orem. This theory proposes that individuals have a natural desire and ability to care for themselves, but that in some situations, they may be unable to do so due to limitations such as illness or injury. In these situations, nurses can assist patients in meeting their self-care needs and ultimately promote their health and well-being.

Using this theory, a nurse working in a hospital setting can assess a patient’s self-care abilities and identify any deficits in their ability to care for themselves. The nurse can then develop a care plan that is tailored to the patient’s specific needs, incorporating interventions that promote self-care such as education on proper nutrition, exercise, and medication management. The nurse can also provide physical assistance with tasks such as bathing, dressing, and grooming.

By applying Orem’s theory, the nurse can empower the patient to take an active role in their own care and help them develop the skills and knowledge necessary to maintain their health once they are discharged from the hospital. This approach can lead to improved patient outcomes, greater patient satisfaction, and more effective use of healthcare resources. Take a look at a  comprehensive look at the Application of nursing theory featuring the major nursing theorists;

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