Theoretical Foundation of Nursing

Flashcards covering foundational nursing theories, key nursing theorists and their specific models, and the four metaparadigms of nursing.

Nursing Theories

The knowledge base that guides nursing practice, education, and research; a systematic set of concepts, definitions, and statements used to describe, explain, predict, or prescribe nursing care.

Environmental Theory (1860)

Nursing theory by Florence Nightingale that aims to manipulate the environment to put the patient in the best condition for nature to act.

Florence Nightingale

The founder of modern nursing and theorist who believed that environment influences healing and developed the Environmental Theory (1860).

Virginia Henderson

Nursing theorist who developed the 14 Basic Needs (1955) and believed the nurse shall assist the patient through performing these needs to gain independence.

Dorothea Orem

Nursing theorist of the Self-Care Deficit Theory (1971) who believed that when a person cannot meet self-care needs, nursing is required.

Sister Callista Roy

Nursing theorist of the Adaptation Model (1976) who believes that nursing is an adaptive system and is the creator of four adaptive modes.

Betty Neuman

Nursing theorist of the Systems Model (1972) where the key idea is the client is a system with lines of defense against stressors.

Hildegard Peplau

Nursing theorist of Information Relation Theory (1952) which posits that the nursing-patient relationship is therapeutic.

Madeleine Leininger

Nursing theorist of Transcultural Nursing (1991) who believed that culture influences health, illness, and caring.

Jean Watson

Nursing theorist of the Theory of Human Caring (1979) who stated that caring is the essence of nursing.

Health (Metaparadigm)

A core concept of nursing that refers to the wellness-illness continuum and applies to individuals, families, groups, or communities.

Nursing (Metaparadigm)

A core concept of nursing that refers to the action, characteristics, and attributes of the nurse.

Person (Metaparadigm)

A core concept of nursing that refers to the recipient of care, such as an individual, group, family, or community.

Environment (Metaparadigm)

A core concept of nursing that refers to the internal and external factors affecting the person.