INTRODUCTION TO NURSING THEORY

Gives you concepts to your nursing practice

Week#2 Reviewer/ Handouts/ NOTES/ avriannotes:>

As a nursing student, you are expected to be equipped with the basic knowledge of theories,
particularly in nursing practice. The more you gain understanding, the better the outcome
of being a nurse, you are going to be. Plus, nursing is a dynamic process and always changing,
so it is better to continuously update yourself with the theoretical knowledge required.

Introduction to Nursing Theory Provides you discussions about the basic conceptsthat make
up a nursing theory. Also included are the characteristics of a theory, four ways of knowing, and
metaparadigm concepts of nursing. Learning to understand and apply them is fun.

So let’s get started.

Summary
➔Overview of Nursing Theory(Definition of Terms
➔Metaparadigm Concepts(Person, Health, Environment, and Nursing)
➔Characteristics of a Theory
➔Four Ways of Knowing(Empirical, Aesthetic, Ethical, and Personal)

Upon completion of this module, you are expected to:

● 1.define the foundational body of knowledge of the concepts that make up a nursing
theory
● 2.classify the four ways of knowing in various nursing situations.
● 3.apply the nursing theoretical concepts and its relationships in viewing a particular
nursing phenomena..
● 4.defend a stand as to why nursing theory is as important as practice

Why learn nursing theory?

You are expected to be equipped with the basic knowledge of theories, particularly in
nursing practice.

What is a theory?
It is a Concept, Prepositions, Assumptions, Definitions organized systematically to view a certain
Phenomena.

A theory is something that (D.E.P.P)

● DESCRIBES
● EXPLAINS
● PREDICT
● PRESCRIBE

All of that equates to NURSING CARE.

We adapt theory in the context of nursing, with the intended goal of developing and enhancing
nursing practice.

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DEFINITION OF NURSING
#Need itong isapuso at isabaga.

American Nursing Association (ANA)

Nursing is the “diagnosis and treatment of human responses to actual or potential health
problems.”

International Council of Nurses (ICN)

"Nursing encompasses autonomous and collaborativecareof individuals of all ages, families,
groups, andcommunities, sick or well and in all settings. Nursing also includes health promotion,
prevention of illness, and the care of the ill, disabled, and dying people."

Association of Deans of Philippine Colleges of Nursing (ADPCN)

Nursing is “a dynamic discipline. It is an art and science of caring for individuals, families,
groups, and communities geared toward promoting and restoration of health, preventing
illness, alleviating suffering, and assisting clients in facing death with dignity and peace”.

Philippine Nurses Act of 2002 (PNA)

Nursing is the initiation and performance of nursing services, singly or in collaboration with
another, to individuals, families, communities, and any health care setting.

Virginia Henderson
Nursing is to “assist clients in the performance of activities contributing to health, its recovery or
peaceful death that clients will perform unaided if they have the necessary will, strength or
knowledge.

METAPARADIGMS
According to google [met″ah-par´ah-dīm] a set of concepts and propositions that sets forth the phenomena
with which a discipline is concerned. A metaparadigm is the most general statement of a discipline and
functions as a framework in which the more restricted structures of conceptual models develop.

These are patterns to show a relationship between the existing theoretical works in nursing.In
the context of nursing, these are known as metaparadigm concepts.

NURSING PARADIGMS
Metaparadigm Concepts
PERSON
ENVIRONMENT
HEALTH
NURSING

Different Types of Theories

Descriptive Theories
Also known as Factor-isolating Theories. Identify and describe the central concepts of
phenomena.

Example:
Descriptive research to determine the percentage of patientsreceiving intravenous (IV)
therapy who experience IV infiltration.

2
Explanatory Theories
Also known as Factor-Relating Theories.Present relationship among concepts and propositions.
(Cause and effect relationships are well explained)

Example: A research study about the factors affecting the quality of life of pregnant women.

Predictive Theories
They are otherwise known as Situation-Relating Theories. Relationships of concepts can
describe future outcomes consistently. (Use of experimental research)

Example: A theoretical model based on theobservation of the effects of unsanitary

environmental condition on the recoveryof post-operative patients

Prescriptive Theories
Also known as Situation-Producing Theories. Deal with nursing action, test the validity and
certainty of a specific nursing intervention.

Example:
Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort validates and explains the different nursing interventions in an
acute care hospital in relieving anxiety among patients.

PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING
It is the next knowledge level after the metaparadigm.It sets forth the meaning of
phenomenathrough analysis, reasoning, and logical argument.

CONCEPTS
These are the building blocks of theories that could either be empirical or abstract in
particular phenomena.

Two types are : Abstract and Concrete

Abstract : General (Transport,Vascular Diseases,Loss of relationship)

Concrete : Specific (Wheelchair, Stroke, Divorce)

Conceptual and Operational Definition

Conceptual definition is the meaning of a word based on how relevant literature perceives it.

EXAMPLE: PE DEFINITION
Conceptual is a bodily movement thatrequires energy with the aid of the skeletal muscles.

Operational definition is the meaning of a concept based on the method of how it was
measured by the person who came up with that perception.

EXAMPLE: PE DEFINITION
Operational is the frequency of activityin terms of being mild, moderate, andintense.

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FRAMEWORK OR MODELS
CONCEPTUAL MODELS OR FRAMEWORKS - are concepts representing a body of
knowledge based on a researcher's perception of a particular phenomenon.

THEORETICAL MODELS OR FRAMEWORKS - are a ready-made map for the study that is
testable in the literature.

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WORD BREAK!
Came from the Latin word, scientia, which means knowledge. It is systematic of the body of
knowledge used in a discipline of study. - SCIENCE

Considered as facts of information gained from experiences of a phenomenon known in a discipline or

field of study. - KNOWLEDGE

Compose empirical data and perceived as physically tangible experiences such as guarding behavior
when in pain.Ex. Disease process, Care, pain, etc. - PHENOMENON

An educated guess that is a testable relationship statement. - HYPOTHESIS

A systematic method of studying a phenomenon that creates and enhances a body of knowledge.-
RESEARCH

It refers to the relationship between various concepts. For example, Children refuse to stay in the hospital
because of the fear of injections. - PREPOSITION

It is something a researcher believes that is true, but there is no universal proof. - ASSUMPTION

CHARACTERISTICS OF THEORY
● Theories can correlate concepts in such a way as togenerate a different way of looking at a certain
fact of phenomenon.
● Theories must be logical in nature.
● Theories should be simple but generally broad in nature.
● Theories can be the source of hypotheses that can be tested for it to be elaborated.
● Theories can be used by practitioners to direct and enhance their practice.
● Theories must be consistent with other validated theories, laws and principles but will leave open
unanswered issues that need to be tested.
● Theories contribute in enriching the general body of knowledge through the studies implemented
to validate them.

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FOUR WAYS OF KNOWING
Nurses are highly trained personnel who have specialized with knowledge and skills to
address their patients' needs.

Their works must be challenging and often exhausting.

But how do they manage it? What does a nurse possess that others don't have?

Do you see yourself as a nurse that can overcome every challenge and possess sound
decision-making skills?

Empirical Knowing - is the principal form relating factual and descriptive knowing aimed at the
expansion of abstract and theoretical explanations.
Nana, a nursing student answers a question posed by the clinical instructor based on what she learned from school.
Ethical Knowing - requires knowledge of different philosophical positions regarding what is good and
right in making moral actions and decisions, particularly in the theoretical and clinical components of
nursing.​
Nurse Moses presents himself as a patient advocate and defends his client’s right to choose care
Personal Knowing - encompasses knowledge of the self in relation to others and to self. It involves the
entirety of the Nurse-Patient Relationship.​
Charles, a nursing student, strives to promote a meaningful personal relationship with his elderly patient

Aesthetics or Esthetics Knowing - is related to understanding what is of significance to particular patients

such as feelings, attitudes, points of view (Carper, 1978). It is also the manifestation of the creative and
expressive styles of the nurse (Kenney, 1996).​
Nurse Carl places himself in the “patient’s shoes” when communicating, giving judgment and providing care.