Page 28 - alligood 8th edition_Neat

CHAPTER 1 Introduction to Nursing Theory: Its History, Significance, and Analysis 9

In the last decades of the twentieth century, in enables them to organize and understand what
anticipation of the new millennium, ideas targeted happens in practice, to analyze patient situations
toward moving nursing forward were published. critically for clinical decision making; to plan
Styles (1982) described a distinction between the col- care and propose appropriate nursing interven-
lective nursing profession and the individual profes- tions; and to predict patient outcomes from the
sional nurse and called for internal developments care and evaluate its effectiveness.
based on ideals and beliefs of nursing for continued (Alligood, 2004, p. 247)
professional development. Similarly, Fitzpatrick (1983)
presented a historical chronicle of twentieth century Professional practice requires a systematic approach
achievements that led to the professional status of that is focused on the patient, and the theoretical works
nursing. Both Styles (1982) and Fitzpatrick (1983) provide just such perspectives of the patient. The theo-
referenced a detailed history specific to the develop- retical works presented in this text illustrate those
ment of nursing as a profession. Now that nursing is various perspectives. Philosophies of nursing, concep-
recognized as a profession, emphasis in this text is tual models of nursing, nursing theories, and middle-
placed on the relationship between nursing theoreti- range theories provide the nurse with a view of the
cal works and the status of nursing as a profession. patient and a guide for data processing, evaluation of
Similarities and differences have been noted in sets evidence, and decisions regarding action to take in
of criteria used to evaluate the status of professions; practice (Alligood 2014, in press; Butts & Rich, 2011;
however, they all call for a body of knowledge that is Chinn & Kramer, 2011; Fawcett & Garity, 2009). With
foundational to the practice of the given profession this background of the history and significance of
(Styles, 1982). nursing theory for the discipline and the profession,
As individual nurses grow in their professional we turn to analysis of theory, a systematic process of
status, the use of substantive knowledge for theory- critical reflection for understanding nursing theoreti-
based evidence for nursing is a quality that is charac- cal works (Chinn & Kramer, 2011).
teristic of their practice (Butts & Rich, 2011). This
commitment to theory-based evidence for practice is
beneficial to patients in that it guides systematic, Analysis of Theory
knowledgeable care. It serves the profession as nurses Analysis, critique, and evaluation are methods used
are recognized for the contributions they make to the to study nursing theoretical works critically. Analysis
health care of society. As noted previously in relation of theory is carried out to acquire knowledge of theo-
to the discipline of nursing, the development of knowl- retical adequacy. It is an important process and the
edge is an important activity for nurse scholars to first step in applying nursing theoretical works to
pursue. It is important that nurses have continued education, research, administration, or practice. The
recognition and respect for their scholarly discipline analysis criteria used for each theoretical work in this
and for their contribution to the health of society. text are included in Box 1-3 with the questions that
Finally and most important, the continued recognition guide the critical reflection of analysis.
of nursing theory as a tool for the reasoning, critical
thinking, and decision making required for quality
nursing practice is important because of the following: BOX 1-3 Analysis Questions to
Determine Theoretical Adequacy
Nursing practice settings are complex, and the
amount of data (information) confronting nurses n Clarity: How clear is this theory?
is virtually endless. Nurses must analyze a vast n Simplicity: How simple is this theory?
amount of information about each patient and n Generality: How general is this theory?
decide what to do. A theoretical approach helps n Accessibility: How accessible is this theory?
practicing nurses not to be overwhelmed by the n Importance: How important is this theory?
mass of information and to progress through the Data from Chinn, P. L., & Kramer, M. K. (2011). Integrated knowledge
nursing process in an orderly manner. Theory development in nursing (8th ed.). St. Louis: Elsevier-Mosby.