SHARING
Lessons learned
through nursing theory
By Josefina I. Alejandro, DNP, RN
RY
EO
TH
PRA
CT
ICE
TODAY’S CLINICAL setting is filled with discussion and implementation
of evidence-based practice, but this wasn’t always the case.1 Theorists have
elevated the science of nursing to its modern prominence with decades of
research.
Now that I’m retired, I’ve come to realize that nursing theories were
essential to my actions throughout my career. Nursing theories form the
supportive framework on which our patient care relies. Dated and untested
management strategies aren’t useful and can even be an obstacle in the de-
livery of safe patient care.2 However, when supported by evidence, theories
in practice are forever contemporary.
SIRIDHATA /iSTOCK
My introduction to theory
I was first introduced to nursing theory in 1974 when I began my Master
of Arts in Nursing program. My first course was Theoretical Framework
www.Nursing2017.com February l Nursing2017 l 41
Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
for Nursing Practice, which intro- classroom. In today’s healthcare
duced my classmates and me to the landscape, a demand for excellence
philosophies of Martha Rogers and influences Magnet® recognized
Sister Callista Roy. Rogers’ Theory of hospitals to use nursing theories to
Unitary Human Beings opened our achieve positive patient outcomes.2
eyes to the influence of a patient’s There’s a place for nursing theories
home life on anticipated health in daily practice, whether at the
outcomes.3 And The Roy Adapta- patient’s bedside or in community
tion Model opened our minds to the health nursing. Nurses should
interconnected nature of biological, revisit the nursing theories they
psychological, and social systems learned about in school and apply
affecting patients.4 them to patient care.
Over the course of my education, When our patients and their
not all historical nursing figures we families, and even those in other
studied were presented as theorists, healthcare professions ask why we
but I later realized many of them do what we do, we can cite the
were just that—Florence Nightingale nursing theories and theorists who
and her work on infection control guide us in our profession. ■
and environmental cleanliness, Faye Learning and applying
Abdellah and her Twenty-One Nurs- nursing theories REFERENCES
ing Problems Theory.5 shouldn’t be limited to 1. Alligood MR. Introduction to Nursing Theory: Its
History, Significance, and Analysis. 8th ed. St. Louis,
Although it wasn’t on my radar
in 1974, nursing theorists, theo-
the classroom. MO: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2013.
2. Roussel L. Concepts and theories guiding
ries, and models were beginning to professional practice. In: Management and Leadership
for Nurse Administrators. Sudbury, MA: Jones and
gain wider recognition. Research Bartlett Publishers, LLC; 2009.
from the 1970s supported many of proper hand hygiene, sterile tech- 3. Nursing Theory. Science of unitary human
these concepts with solid evidence. nique, and use of personal protective beings. 2016. www.nursing-theory.org/theories-
and-models/roger-theory-of-unitary-human-
It was in this decade that doctoral equipment for infection control.6 beings.php.
education in nursing increased with I taught my nursing students to 4. Gonzalo A. The Roy adaptation model. 2011.
http://nursingtheories.weebly.com/sister-callista-
emphasis on theory development formulate a nursing plan, includ- roy.html.
and testing.1 Fast forward to 2010 ing attainable and measurable goals 5. Quiambao-Udan J. Theoretical Foundations
when I began my Doctor of Nursing based on their assessment of patient of Nursing. Malabon, Philippines: Educational
Publishing House; 2011.
Practice coursework, and more nurs- and family needs—an application
6. Nightingale F. Notes on Nursing: What It Is, and
ing theories and theorists were now of Imogene King’s Theory of Goal What It Is Not. 1st ed. London: Harrison; 1859.
studied in depth. Evidence-based Attainment.7 Showing my students 7. Petiprin A. King’s theory of goal attainment.
practice is now emphasized in the how to teach a patient with diabetes 2016. http://nursing-theory.org/theories-and-
models/king-theory-of-goal-attainment.php.
field of nursing. to self-manage his or her chronic
disease put Dorothea Orem’s Self-
Josefina I. Alejandro is an adjunct nursing instructor at
Knowledge comes full circle Care Deficit Nursing Theory into Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College-Jefferson
Davis campus in Gulfport, Miss.
During my career as adjunct faculty, practice.5
I’ve frequently taught the theories I’d
The author has disclosed no financial relationships
once studied to my students. Night- Why we do what we do related to this article.
ingale’s Environmental Theory was Learning and applying nursing
essential in teaching nursing students theories shouldn’t be limited to the DOI-10.1097/01.NURSE.0000511808.68087.e3
42 l Nursing2017 l Volume 47, Number 2 www.Nursing2017.com
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