Classification of Nursing Theories

(According to Function)

1. Descriptive Theories – also known as “Factor-isolating theories”

- The primary level of theory development.
- They identify and describe major concepts of phenomena.
- They do not explain relationship of the concepts.
- Main purpose: to present a phenomenon based on the five senses together
with their corresponding meaning.
- EXAMPLE: A descriptive research about the Filipino nursing practices like
use of herbal medicines and other alternative forms of treatment.
2. Explanatory Theories – also known as “Factor-relating theories”
- Theory that present relationship among concepts and propositions.
- They aim to provide information on how or why concepts are related.
- Cause and effect relationship are well explained in this type of theory.
- EXAMPLE: A research study about the factors affecting newborns failing to
thrive.
3. Predictive Theories – also known as “Situation-relating theories”
- They are achieved when the relationships of concepts under a certain
condition are able to describe future outcomes consistently.
- This theory is generated and tested using experimental research.
- EXAMPLE: A Theoretical model based on the observation of the effects of
unsanitary environmental condition on the recovery of the post-operative
patients.
4. Prescriptive theories – also known as “Situation-producing theories”
- Deal with nursing actions, and test the validity and certainty of a specific
nursing intervention.
- This kind of theory is commonly used in testing new nursing interventions.
- EXAMPLE: Laurente’s theory validates and explains the different nursing
management in the emergency room in relieving anxiety among its clients.

(According to Scope)
1. Grand theories – are simply known to speak about a broad range of important relationship
among concepts of a discipline. They are made up of concepts representing common and
extremely complex phenomena.
- They arise at a time when Nursing was addressing its nature, mission and
goals.
- Its purpose is to provide a general framework for crating and structuring
broad and abstract ideas.
- Examples: Orem’s Self-care Theory of Nursing and Neuman Systems Model
Theory
 2. Middle Range theories – lower in level of abstraction than grand theories because they include
details specific to nursing practice and offer a more direct application to research and practice.
- Descriptions, explanations, and predictions are made with the purpose of
answering questions about different nursing phenomena.
- They specify such things as the health condition, patient population, and the
location of practice and the different interventions of the nurse.
- Examples: Hildegard Peplau’s Psychodynamic nursing, Joyce Travelbee’s
human-to-human relationship model, Madeleine Leininger’s Transcultural
Theory in Nursing, and Margaret Newman’s Model of Health.
3. Micro-Range Theories – situation-specific and limited to particular populations or fields of
practice and also linking of concrete concepts into a statement that can be observed in practice
and research.
- Known to be the most concrete and narrow in scope

Analysis and Evaluation of Theory

In evaluating a theory, we must consider its degree of usefulness to guide practice, research,
education and administration. This is done by (1) reviewing the entire work while focusing in its
historical aspect, (2) Systematically and objectively examine context, structure and function of the
theory (also known as theory analysis) and (3) critical reflection by ascertaining how well a theory serves
the profession’s progress (to determine whether the theory is contributing to the knowledge base of
nursing).

Five Criteria in Evaluating a Theoretical Work:

1. Clarity – consistency, semantics (study of the meaning of language, symbols, etc) and
structure are important. The nursing student needs to identify major concepts and their
sub-concepts.
- Words are defined operationally
- The diagrams should be clear and consistent and follows a logical sequence
- Assumptions should be consistent with the defined goals of the theory \
Guide questions: is the theory clearly stated? How clear is the theory? Is it easily
understood?
2. Simplicity – theory must be adequately comprehensive. It must offer greatest sense of
understanding.
Guide questions: How simple is the theory?
3. Generality – the more limited the concept and goal is, the less general the theory becomes.
The broader the scope of the theory, the greater its significance.
Guide questions: how general is the theory? How broad is the scope of the theory?
4. Empirical precision – the degree in which the defined concepts are observable in actual
setting. It is in line with the testability and ultimate use of the theory
Guide questions: is the theory testable? How accessible is the theory?
5. Derivable consequences – nursing theory should give direction to research and practice,
create new ideas, and ought to distinguish the focus of nursing to other professions.
 Guide questions: how important is the theory? Does the theory have a significant
contribution to nursing knowledge?

Conceptual Models and Theoretical Models

Conceptual Framework Theoretical Framework

Are representations of an idea or body of
knowledge based on the own understanding or
perception of a person or researcher on a certain
topic, phenomena or theory.
It is a structure of concepts or theories which are
pulled together as a map for the study.
Comparable to definition from a literature such
as a dictionary, encyclopedia, and journals.
Are highly established set of concepts that are
testable.
It is a structure of concepts which exist or are tested
in the literature, a ready-made map for the study.
Specifies exactly how the concept will be
determined and assessed. It also identifies
procedures and operations significant to determine
concepts.

Nursing Theory Development:

Nursing theories are developed to improve the quality of care rendered by nurses to their clients.
Theory development is inherent in the different nursing fields – EDUCATION(nursing curriculum
development, preparation of students for practice), RESEARCH and PRACTICE(actual application of
nursing service such as bedside care etc.).

It is important to know the contributions of nursing theories to the different nursing fields (education,
research and practice).
Example:
Florence Nightingale (Environmental Theory) and her contributions to:
Nursing Practice – the theory emphasized on environmental aspects as integral part of nursing care:
good ventilation, proper control of noise, sanitation and water treatment.
Nursing Education – the development of excellent training system in St. Thomas Hospital and King’s
College Hospital in London.
Research – invented the “polar diagrams” to analyze and gather data.

** ASSIGNMENT: to be written on one whole sheet of pad paper and passed on Nov 8.
Identify the contributions of each theorist/theory to the different fields of nursing (practice, education
and research):
1. Madeleine Leininger (Transcultural Nursing)
2. Jean Watson (Philosophy and Science of Caring)

FOUR WAYS OF KNOWING

1. Empirics – scientific discipline of Nursing
2. Ethics – the moral decisions of Nursing
3. Personal – method by which nurses approach their patients
 4. Aesthetics or Esthetics – deals with the emphatic aspect of nursing.

EMPIRICAL KNOWING – the principal form relating factual and descriptive knowing aimed at the
expansion of abstract and theoretical explanations. Any scientific, research-based, theoretical and
factual information that the nurse makes use of is under empirical knowing.
- The primary model of knowing
- As a part of empirics, clinical and conceptual knowledge are the keys to
nursing practice.
- Focuses on evidence-based research(promotes quality care that has been
demonstrated/proven to be effective) for effective and accurate nursing
practice.
Example: 1. knowledge obtained from books, lectures, journals and online resources.
2. John, a nursing student answers a question posed by the clinical instructor based on
what he learned from school.
3. Chester, a nurse researcher, uses scientific method to produce desired study
results.
4. Nurse Michelle practices nursing interventions based from accepted clinical
practices.

AESTHETIC KNOWING – related to understanding what is of significance to particular patients such as

feelings, attitudes, and points of view. It is also the manifestation of the creative and expressive styles of
the nurse.
- Aesthetic knowing is used in the process of giving appropriate nursing care
through understanding the uniqueness of every patient, thus emphasizing
use of creative and practical styles of care.
- Focuses on empathy (ability of sharing or vividly understanding another’s
feeling). This is the primary form of aesthetic knowing.
- It includes the nurse’s ability in changing ways and manner of rendering
nursing care based on the client’s individual needs and perceptions.
- It is done by knowing the distinctive individual instead as a typical,
stereotype whole.
Example: 1. Nurse Moses places himself in the “patient’s shoes” when communicating, giving
judgment and providing care.
2. Nurse Abe shows compassion, mery and understanding towards patients, co-
workers and supervisors.
3. Nurse Mich uses layman terms in explaining the needs of the patient with stroke.

ETHICAL KNOWING – requires the 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.
 - The code of ethics that leads the conduct of nurses is the main basis for
ethical knowing.
- It is deeply rooted in the concepts of human dignity, service and respect for
life.
- Lessening suffering, upholding and preserving health is one of the key
elements why nursing is a core service in society.
- It includes all deliberate nursing actions involving ethics and
professionalism.

Examples: 1. Nurse Carl presents himself as a patient advocate and defends his client’s right to
choose care.

2. Dan, a clinical instructor, reprimands a student who cheated on a quiz and

explains the consequences.

3. Nurse Renato explains the concepts behind organ donation to a terminally-ill

patient.

PERSONAL KNOWING – encompasses knowledge of the self in relation to others and to self. It involves
the entirety of the Nurse-Patient Relationship.

- It is focused on realizing, meeting and defining the real, true self.

- It is the most difficult to master and to teach.
- It is the key to comprehending health in terms of personal well-being.
- It involves the therapeutic use of self.
- It takes a lot of time to fully know the nature of oneself in relation to the
world around.
- It stresses that human beings are not in a fixed state but are constantly
engaged in a dynamic state of changes.

Examples: 1. Ruben, a nursing student, strives to promote a meaningful personal relationship

with his elderly patient.

2. Ruel, a nursing student, undergoes Psychological counseling and self-awareness

sessions before his Psychiatric Nursing rotation.