Nursing Theory
RUNNING HEAD: NURSING THEORY
Nursing Theory: Explanation and Relevance to Nursing Practices
Katherine Lott
Azusa Pacific University
Theoretical Foundations for Nursing
UNRS 306
Professor Cone
May 20, 2009
Merriam Webster defines the word "theory" as "a belief, policy, or procedure proposed or followed as the basis of action." There are various categories of theories accepted and practiced throughout the world and throughout professional practices today. One example of a type of theory is a nursing theory. However, some might not be fully aware of what a nursing theory entails, examples of such, and the relevance of nursing theories. This paper will explain these matters. What is a nursing theory? A nursing theory is an expression that has arose from a philosophical perspective that explains some phenomena. Overall, it is used to describe the accumulation of knowledge that is used to support nursing practice. It incorporates experiments and research to define nursing and nursing practice; furthermore, it gives reason to the accepted principles that form the basis for practice, and goals and functions of nursing (Wesley, 1995). In essence, a nursing theory enables understanding of what, how, and why nurses continue to practice. What is the origin of a nursing theory? The first theorist to clearly articulate a role of nurses was Florence Nightingale. Before she developed her nursing theory, the primary role of the nurse was to merely care of the patient as prescribed by the doctor's orders. Nightingale was able to expand the nursing profession making it distinct from the medical profession. Her first theories were developed and published in a book titled Notes on Nursing: What It Is, and What It Is Not in 1859. Through Florence Nightingale's original work, nurses realized that simply treating patients based upon their disease was not a satisfactory way of attending patient care, and, rather, they should be making a holistic assessment
Nursing Theory: Explanation and Relevance to Nursing Practices
Katherine Lott
Azusa Pacific University
Theoretical Foundations for Nursing
UNRS 306
Professor Cone
May 20, 2009
Merriam Webster defines the word "theory" as "a belief, policy, or procedure proposed or followed as the basis of action." There are various categories of theories accepted and practiced throughout the world and throughout professional practices today. One example of a type of theory is a nursing theory. However, some might not be fully aware of what a nursing theory entails, examples of such, and the relevance of nursing theories. This paper will explain these matters. What is a nursing theory? A nursing theory is an expression that has arose from a philosophical perspective that explains some phenomena. Overall, it is used to describe the accumulation of knowledge that is used to support nursing practice. It incorporates experiments and research to define nursing and nursing practice; furthermore, it gives reason to the accepted principles that form the basis for practice, and goals and functions of nursing (Wesley, 1995). In essence, a nursing theory enables understanding of what, how, and why nurses continue to practice. What is the origin of a nursing theory? The first theorist to clearly articulate a role of nurses was Florence Nightingale. Before she developed her nursing theory, the primary role of the nurse was to merely care of the patient as prescribed by the doctor's orders. Nightingale was able to expand the nursing profession making it distinct from the medical profession. Her first theories were developed and published in a book titled Notes on Nursing: What It Is, and What It Is Not in 1859. Through Florence Nightingale's original work, nurses realized that simply treating patients based upon their disease was not a satisfactory way of attending patient care, and, rather, they should be making a holistic assessment