WHY ARE

NURSING
THEORIES
IMPORTANT?

Gianne Carlo T. Santos, RN

Nursing theories are the basis of nursing practice today. In
many cases, nursing theory guides knowledge development and
directs education, research, and practice. Historically, nursing
was not recognized as an academic discipline or as a profession
we view today. Before nursing theories were developed, nursing
was considered to be a task-oriented occupation. The training
and function of nurses were under the direction and control of
the medical profession
• Nursing theories help recognize what should set the foundation of practice by
explicitly describing nursing.
• By defining nursing, a nursing theory also helps nurses understand their purpose
and role in the healthcare setting.
• Theories serve as a rationale or scientific reasons for nursing interventions and give
nurses the knowledge base necessary for acting and responding appropriately in
nursing care situations.
• Nursing theories provide the foundations of nursing practice, generate further
knowledge, and indicate which direction nursing should develop in the future
(Brown, 1964).
 PURPOSES
OF NURSING
THEORIES
The primary purpose of theory in nursing is to improve practice
by positively influencing the health and quality of life of
patients. Nursing theories are essential for the development and
advancement of the nursing profession. Nursing theories are also
developed to define and describe nursing care, guide nursing
practice, and provide a basis for clinical decision-making. In the
past, the accomplishments of nursing led to the recognition of
nursing in an academic discipline, research, and profession.
1. IN THE ACADEMIC
DISCIPLINE
• Much of the earlier nursing programs identified the
major concepts in one or two nursing models,
organized the concepts, and build an entire nursing
curriculum around the created framework. These
models’ unique language was typically introduced into
program objectives, course objectives, course
descriptions, and clinical performance criteria. The
purpose was to explain the fundamental implications
of the profession and enhance the profession’s status.
2. IN RESEARCH
• The development of theory is fundamental to the
research process, where it is necessary to use theory as
a framework to provide perspective and guidance to
the research study. Theory can also be used to guide
the research process by creating and testing
phenomena of interest. To improve the nursing
profession’s ability to meet societal duties and
responsibilities, there needs to be a continuous
reciprocal and cyclical connection with theory,
practice, and research. This will help connect the
perceived “gap” between theory and practice and
promote the theory-guided practice
3. IN THE PROFESSION
• Clinical practice generates research questions
and knowledge for theory. In a clinical setting,
its primary contribution has been the
facilitation of reflecting, questioning, and
thinking about what nurses do. Because nurses
and nursing practice are often subordinate to
powerful institutional forces and traditions,
introducing any framework that encourages
nurses to reflect on, question, and think about
what they do provide an invaluable service.
OTHER WAYS OF
CLASSIFYING
NURSING
THEORIES
CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO
MELEIS
Afaf Ibrahim Meleis (2011), in her book Theoretical Nursing: Development
and Progress, organizes the major nurse theories and models using the
following headings:

I. Needs theories,
II. Interaction theories
III. Outcome theories.

These categories indicate the basic philosophical underpinnings of the theories.

1. Needs-Based Theories:
• The needs theorists were the first group of nurses who thought of giving nursing care a conceptual order.
• Theories under this group are based on helping individuals to fulfill their physical and mental needs.
• Theories of Orem, Henderson, and Abdella are categorized under this group. Need theories are criticized for relying too much on the
medical model of health and placing the patient in an overtly dependent position.

2. Interaction Theories:
• These theories emphasized nursing on the establishment and maintenance of relationships.
• They highlighted the impact of nursing on patients and how they interact with the environment, people, and situations.
• Theories of King, Orlando, and Travelbee are grouped under this category.
3. Outcome Theories:
• These theories describe the nurse as controlling and directing patient care using their knowledge of the human
physiological and behavioral systems.
• The nursing theories of Johnson, Levine, Rogers, and Roy belong to this group.
CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO
ALLIGOOD
• In her book, Nursing Theorists and Their Work, Raile Alligood
(2017) categorized nursing theories into four headings:
I.Nursing philosophy
II.Nursing conceptual models
III. Nursing theories and grand theories, and middle-
range nursing theories.
1. Nursing Philosophy
It is the most abstract type and sets forth the meaning of nursing phenomena through analysis, reasoning, and logical
presentation.
Works of Nightingale, Watson, Ray, and Benner are categorized under this group.
2. Nursing Conceptual Models
These are comprehensive nursing theories that are regarded by some as pioneers in nursing.
These theories address the nursing metaparadigm and explain the relationship between them.
Conceptual models of Levine, Rogers, Roy, King, and Orem are under this group.
3. Grand Nursing Theories
Are works derived from nursing philosophies, conceptual models, and other grand theories that are generally not as specific as middle-range
theories.
Works of Levine, Rogers, Orem, and King are some of the theories under this category.
4. Middle-Range Theories
Are precise and answer specific nursing practice questions.
They address the specifics of nursing situations within the model’s perspective or theory from which they are derived.
Examples of Middle-Range theories are that of Mercer, Reed, Mishel, and Barker.