Grand Theorist
Application of Grand Theory to Nursing Practice
In today’s world there are many nursing theories and theorists that not only define the nursing profession, but also are used as the basis to guide a nurse in his or her current practice. Meleis defines nursing theory “as a conceptualization of some aspect of nursing reality communicated for the purpose of describing phenomena, explaining relationships between phenomena, predicting consequences or prescribing nursing care. Nursing theories are reservoirs in which are stored those findings that are related to nursing concepts such as comfort, healing, recovering, mobility, rest, caring, enabling, fatigue, and family care”(Meleis, 2012). Meleis describes that the term “nursing theory” gets used interchangeably with conceptual framework, conceptual model, paradigm, metaparadigm, theorem, and perspective leading to more confusion and has perhaps led to less use of nursing theory. Nursing theory is used to explain relationships, predict outcomes or responses, and define concepts that are related to phenomena in nursing(2012). These theories are then shared amongst professionals within the field and may also be found published in academic journals. Practical application of these theories really is what brings the concept to life. For we can read all the research available and but it is through theoretical application that we gain true understanding of the theory.
Furthermore, not only does Meleis define nursing theory, but she also continues to categorize and break down nursing theories further to better explain nursing theory and its use. Meleis states that there are are three categories of nursing theories, which include grand theories, middle-range theories and situation-specific theories. According to Meleis, “grand theories are constructed from a synthesis of experiences, observations, insights, and research findings..examples are Roger’s theory of energy fields”(2012). Middle-range theories are
In today’s world there are many nursing theories and theorists that not only define the nursing profession, but also are used as the basis to guide a nurse in his or her current practice. Meleis defines nursing theory “as a conceptualization of some aspect of nursing reality communicated for the purpose of describing phenomena, explaining relationships between phenomena, predicting consequences or prescribing nursing care. Nursing theories are reservoirs in which are stored those findings that are related to nursing concepts such as comfort, healing, recovering, mobility, rest, caring, enabling, fatigue, and family care”(Meleis, 2012). Meleis describes that the term “nursing theory” gets used interchangeably with conceptual framework, conceptual model, paradigm, metaparadigm, theorem, and perspective leading to more confusion and has perhaps led to less use of nursing theory. Nursing theory is used to explain relationships, predict outcomes or responses, and define concepts that are related to phenomena in nursing(2012). These theories are then shared amongst professionals within the field and may also be found published in academic journals. Practical application of these theories really is what brings the concept to life. For we can read all the research available and but it is through theoretical application that we gain true understanding of the theory.
Furthermore, not only does Meleis define nursing theory, but she also continues to categorize and break down nursing theories further to better explain nursing theory and its use. Meleis states that there are are three categories of nursing theories, which include grand theories, middle-range theories and situation-specific theories. According to Meleis, “grand theories are constructed from a synthesis of experiences, observations, insights, and research findings..examples are Roger’s theory of energy fields”(2012). Middle-range theories are
References: Meleis, A. I. (2012). Theoretical nursing: development and progress (5th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Melnechenko, K.L.(1995). Parse 's theory of human becoming: an alternative guide to nursing practice for pediatric oncology nurses. Journal of pediatric oncology nursing (12.3), 122-127. Orem, D.E. (1991). Nursing: Concepts of practice (4th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby-Year Book Inc. Tomey, A. & Alligood, M. (2002). Significance of theory for nursing as a discipline and profession. Nursing Theorists and their work. Mosby, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America. Wills M.Evelyn, McEwen Melanie (2002). Theoretical Basis for Nursing Philadelphia. Lippincott Williams& Wilkins.