This document provides an introduction to nursing theories. It defines what a nursing theory is and discusses their importance. Nursing theories aim to describe, predict, and explain nursing phenomena. They provide foundations for nursing practice and guidance for research and education. The document also outlines some key objectives of nursing theories like assessing patients' conditions, identifying needs, and applying theories to solve identified health problems. It discusses characteristics of useful theories and the four major concepts addressed in most nursing theories - person, environment, health, and nursing.

1. INTRODUCTION TO
THEORIES IN
NURSING
BY
Mrs.sukhwinder kaur

2. Introduction to Theories in
Nursing:
• Theories are a set of interrelated concepts that give
a systematic view of a phenomenon (an observable
fact or event) that is explanatory and predictive in
nature. Theories are composed of concepts,
definitions, models, propositions and are based on
assumptions. These are derived through two
principal methods: deductive reasoning and
inductive reasoning.

3. OBJECTIVES:
1. To assess the patient’s condition by the various
methods explained by the nursing theory.
2. To identify the needs of the patient.
3. To demonstrate an effective communication with the
patient.
4. To select a theory for the application according to the
need of the patient.
5. To apply the theory to solve the identified problems
of the patient.
6. To evaluate the extent to which the process was
fruitful.

4. Definition:
• “A nursing theory is a set of concepts,
definitions, relationships and assumptions or
propositions derived from nursing models or
from other disciplines and project a
purposive, systematic view of phenomena
by designing specific inter-relationship
among concepts for the purposes of
describing, explaining, predicting andor
prescribing”.

5. Characteristics of a useful
Theory:
A useful theory makes assumptions about a
behaviour, health problem, target population or
environments that are:
1. Logical.
2. Consistent with everyday observations.
3. Similar to those used in previous successful
programs.
4. Supported by past research in the same area
or related ideas.

6. Importance of Nursing Theories
1. Nursing theory aims to describe, predicts and
explain the phenomenon of nursing.
2. It should provide the foundations of nursing
practice, help to generate further knowledge and
indicate in which direction nursing should develop
in the future.
3. Theory is important because it helps us to decide
what we know and what we need to know.
4. It helps to distinguish what should from the basis
of practice by explicitly descirbing nursing.

7. Importance of nursing Theories
5. The benefits of having a defined body of theory in
nursing include better patient care, enhanced
professional status for nurse, improved
communication between nurses and guidance for
research and education.
6. The main exponent of nursing-caring-cannot be
measures, it is vital to have the theory to analyze
explain what nurses do.

8. Evolution of nursing theories
and application:
• The history of professional nursing begins with
Florence Nightingale.
• Later in last century nursing began with a strong
emphasis on practice.
• As more and more nurses began to pursue higher
degrees in nursing, they are emerging in the research
era.
• Later graduate education and masters education was
given much importance.
• The development of the theory era was a natural
outgrowth of the research era.

9. Characteristics of theories
• Interrelating concepts in such a way as to
create a different way of looking at a particular
phenomenon.
• Logical in nature.
• Generalizable.
• Bases for hypothesis that can be tested.
• Used by the practitioners to guide and improve
their practice.
• Increasing the general body of knowledge
within the discipline through the research
implemented to validate them.

10. Purposes of theory in practice
1. Assist nurses to describe, explain and predict
everyday experiences.
2. Serve to guide assessment, intervention and
evaluation of nursing care.
3. Help to establish criteria to measure the quality og
nursing care.
4. Help build a common nursing terminology to use in
communicating with other health professionals. Ideas
are developed and words defined.
5. Enhance autonomy (independence and self-
governance) of nursing by defining its own
independent functions.

11. Four major concepts
All theories, however, share four central concepts.
PERSON; Person refers to all human beings. People are the
recipients of nursing care; they include individuals, families,
communities and groups.
ENVIRONMENT; Environment includes factors that affect
individuals internally and externally. It means not only in the
everyday surroundings but all setting where nursing care is
provided.
HEALTH; Health generally addresses the person’s state of well-
being.
NURSING; The concept of nursing is central to all nursing
theories. Definitions of nursing describe what nursing is, what
nurses do and how nurses interact with clients. Most nursing
theories address each of the four central concept implicitly or
explicitly.