Four Major Concepts of Nursing Theory

A nursing theory offers an organized framework for a nurse to answer questions about his profession. Theories use four major concepts to describe, predict, explain and control phenomenon related to nursing practice.

Types

• Every nursing theory addresses the same four concepts: the person, the environment, health and nursing itself.

Identification

• Each nursing theorist defines these concepts differently. For example, Imogene King describes nursing as the process of human interaction, while Betty Neuman emphasizes the nurse's role in helping clients to maintain a stable health status.

Function

• The concepts direct nursing practice within an organization. For example, nurses at a psychiatric hospital may adopt King's model to guide the ways they interact with patients. A home health agency may opt for Neuman's model and focus on keeping clients healthy in their homes.

Effects

• The four concepts are reflected in nursing care plans. A psychiatric nurse, for example, may write a goal to have her patient interact more openly during their daily meetings.

Benefits

• When a nursing department adopts a single theory of nursing, everyone speaks the same language. Nurses can share their progress with colleagues and ensure consistency in patient care.