THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS IN NURSING
Samantha Louise C. Sunglao
THEORY - a set of concepts, definitions,
relationships, and assumptions that
project a systematic view of phenomena.
- May consist of one or more
relatively specific and concrete
concepts and propositions that
purport to account for, or organize
some phenomenon (Barnum,
1988).
COMPONENTS OF A THEORY:
● CONCEPTS - ideas and mental
images that help describe
phenomena (Alligood and
Marriner-Tomey, 2002).
● DEFINITIONS - convey the
general meaning of the concepts.
● Assumptions - statements that
describe concepts.
● Phenomenon - aspect of reality
that can be consciously sensed or
experienced (Meleis, 1997).
PARADIGM - a model that explains the
linkages of science, philosophy, and
theory accepted and applied by the
discipline (Alligood and Marriner-Tomey,
2002).
DOMAIN - this is defined as the view or
perspective of the discipline.
- Contains the subject, central
concepts, values and beliefs,
phenomena or interests, and the
central problems of the discipline.
HOW DOES DOMAIN RELATE TO
NURSING THEORY:
- Nursing has identified its domain in
a paradigm that includes for
linkages:
1. Person / Client
2. Health
3. Environment
4. Nursing
PURPOSES OF NURSING THEORY:
● It guides nursing practice and
generates knowledge.
● It helps describe or explain
nursing.
● Enables nurses to know WHAT
and WHY they are doing practices.
WHY DO WE STUDY NURSING:
● Everyday practice enriches theory.
● Both practice and theory are
guided by values and beliefs.
● Theory helps reframe our thinking
about nursing.
● Theory guides the use of ideas
and techniques.
● Theory can close the gap between
theory and research.
● To envision potentialities (Gordon,
Parker, and Jester, 2001).
“THE STUDY AND USE OF NURSING
THEORY IN NURSING PRACTICE MUST
HAVE ROOTS IN THE EVERYDAY
PRACTICE OF NURSES (Gordon,
Parker, and Jester, 2001)”.
USING THEORY IN EVERYDAY
PRACTICE (NURSE PRACTITIONER):
● Organize patient data.
● Understand patient data.
● Analyze patient data.
● Make decisions about nursing
interventions.
● Plan patient care.
● Predict outcomes of care.
● Evaluate the patient outcomes
(Alligood, 2001).
USING THE6ORY IN EVERYDAY
PRACTICE (STUDENT NURSE):
● Ask yourself what the nature of
knowledge is needed for the
practice of nursing.
● Ask yourself what it means to
practice nursing.
NON-NURSING THEORIES:
● Systems theory
● Basic human needs theory
● Health and wellness models
● Stress and adaptation
● Developmental theories
● Psychological theories
LINK BETWEEN NURSING THEORY
AND RESEARCH PROCESS:
● The theory provides direction for
nursing research.
● Relationships of components in a
theory help drive the research
questions for understanding
nursing.
● Chinn and Kramer (2004), indicate
a spiral relationship between the
two.

CURRENT TRENDS THAT INFLUENCE

NURSING THEORY:
● Medical sciences
● Nursing education
● Professional nursing organizations
● Evolving research approaches
● Consumer demands
● Technologies