Jamie McKinney, MS, APRN, FNP-CFall 2014Chapter 15Conceptual
Models and the Fate of Grand TheoryReview Conceptual ModelsUsed
interchangeably with Grand TheoryCan highlight areas of knowledge
development and help apply value to nursing actionCan guide nursing
practice, research, and testingMain focus of chapter is to
determine whether these conceptual models are different from
theories and if they can unify and guide the disciplineNeed for an
intellectual environment that allows challenges to be recognized
and managed
The TheoristsAda JacoxWanted to distinguish grand theory from
middle-range theory through examining the construction of the
theoryFawcettWorked to define criteria to evaluate theories and
models and the distinction each hasShow how conceptual models are
abstract versions of the theories and middle-range theories are to
be deduced from conceptual models before testingThe TheoristsJoan
Riehl and Sister Calista RoyConceptual models are differentWorked
to expose valuesTwo Pictures:1. Abstraction Picture: conceptual
models are abstractions from theories, and theory will provide more
specifications of the concepts in the model2. Orientation Picture:
conceptual models will guide or orient nursing research and make no
theoretical pronouncements, gives importance to goals and
values
The TheoristsLeana UysArgues the abstraction picture is not
efficient in discriminating between non-theories and theoriesArgues
that the conceptual model in nursing should be understood as a
relatively concrete philosophyThe TheoristsPeplau, Orlando,
Widenbach, and HendersonWork came about through experiences in
teachingTheir conceptual models attempted to describe the goals and
values of nursingTheir conceptual models attempted to give an
analysis of the nursing roleDeveloped models for nursingModels
Models of nursingProvide descriptions to the system and its
partsDiscusses how the parts are related
Models for nursingProvide an action guide to determine when
dimension need examination or when change is neededEncompass goals
and valuesCan guide practice and researchA Nursing PhilosophyJob is
to critically examine presuppositionsMakes sure nursing research
coherent with our commitmentsValues, ethics central to a nursing
philosophyNursing practice is one touchstoneEmpirical research is
another touchstoneA Nursing PhilosophyMust aim to make sense of
nursing practice on one hand and nursing science on the
otherChapter has argued that conceptual models are misconceived if
they are understood to be abstract versions of empirical
theoryAccording to Uys if conceptual models are to be part of
nursing philosophy then we need to take away the trappings of
empirical theories, and their relationship is the same as the
empirical sciencesConclusionIf conceptual models are nursing
philosophy then an environment will be needed where argument and
analysis are basis for progressAlso means that nursing philosophy,
nursing practice, and nursing science are in a reciprocal
relationshipReferencesRisjord, M. (2010). Nursing knowledge,
science, practice, and philosophy. Ames, Iowa: Wiley Blackwell.
