THEORY: A theory is a set of concepts, definition relationship and assumption that project a systematic view of phenomena.

A Nursing theory is a conceptualization of some aspect of nursing communicated for the purpose of describing, explaining, predicting and / or prescribing nursing care(Maleis 1997)

Components of Theory:

Concepts Definitions

Assumptions (or) Propositions

Phenomenon

Concepts: A theory consists of interrelational concepts. Concepts

are mental formulation of an object (or) event that come from individual perceptual experience ( Alligood & marriner tomey 2002)

Definitions: The definitions with in the descriptions of a theory

convey the general meaning of the concepts in a manner that fits the theory.

Assumptions :

Assumptions are statements that describe concepts (or) connect two concepts that are factual.

Phenomenon: A fact (or) situation that is observed to exist

(or) happen.

NURSING’S PARADIGM:

According to Fawcett, a conceptual model consists of four concepts which are generally considered central to the discipline of Nursing.This serves as an organizing frame work around which conceptual development proceeded Person Health

Environment/Situation

Nursing

Person: Refers to the recipient of nursing care, including individual clients, families and the community.

Health: It is defined in different way by the client, the clinical setting and the healthcare profession.

Environment / Situation: It includes all possible conditions affecting the client and the setting is which health care needs occur.

Nursing: It is the diagnosis and treatment of human responses to actual (or) potential health problem (ANA 1995)

Classification of theories in Nursing

According to range/scope/abstractness, theories are classified in to

1) Meta theories2) Grand theories3) Middle range theories4) Practice theories

1) Meta theories Meta theories describe the philosophical basis of the

discipline. Focuses on broad issues such as the processes of generating knowledge & theory development.

2) Grand theories This describes the comprehensive conceptual

framework. There are the most complex and broadest in scope. They attempt to explain broad area within a discipline and may incorporate numerous other theories.

3) Middle range theories Middle range theory lies between the nursing models and more

circumscribed, concrete ideas (practice theories)Middle range theories are substantively specific and encompass a

limited number of a real world.

4)Practice theories Practice theories are also called micro theories, prescriptive

theories (or) situation theories

Introduction:

• Abdellah was motivated to develop her typology by a desire to promote comprehensive, client – centered nursing care.• She used the problem – solving approach• Her typology of nursing problem was first published in 1960 in patient – centered approaches to nursing

Concept of Abdellah’s Theory

Abdellah’s theories would state that nursing is the use of the problem solving approach based on the three major concepts of health, nursing problems and problem solving.

Health She defined health as the dynamic pattern of functioning whereby

there is a continued interaction which internal and external force that results in the optional use of necessary resources that serve to minimize vulnerabilities

Nursing Problems It may be overt as an apparent condition or convert as a hidden (or)

concealed one. Because convert problems can be emotional, Sociological and interpersonal in nature, they are often missed (or) perceived incorrectly

Problem solvingQuality professional Nursing care requires that nurses

be able to identify & solve, overt & convert nursing problems. This can be accomplished by problem solving approach. it involves Indentifying the dataSelecting pertinent dataFormulating HypothesesTesting Hypotheses through the collection of dataRevising Hypotheses

Focus of care pendulum

Nursing Disease Centered Centered

Client centered