Evolution and History of Nursing – Module 1 Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering foundational terms, philosophers, theoretical levels, and key concepts from the lecture on the evolution and history of nursing theory.

Nursing Theory

A systematic set of concepts and propositions that describes, explains, predicts, or prescribes nursing care and phenomena.

Theory-Guided, Evidence-Based Practice

Nursing care that deliberately integrates scientific evidence with theoretical frameworks to organize knowledge and guide decision-making.

Florence Nightingale

Founder of modern nursing theory; used observation, sanitation, and data during the Crimean War to reduce mortality.

Nightingale’s Environmental Theory

Theory asserting that fresh air, clean water, light, quiet, sanitation, and nutrition in the environment promote patient healing.

Metaparadigm of Nursing

The broadest framework in nursing, encompassing Person, Environment, Health, and Nursing.

Person (Metaparadigm)

The recipient of nursing care—individuals, families, groups, or communities—viewed holistically.

Environment (Metaparadigm)

All internal and external conditions, physical or social, that influence the patient’s health and care setting.

Health (Metaparadigm)

The degree of wellness or well-being experienced by the client, extending beyond mere absence of disease.

Nursing (Metaparadigm)

The attributes, actions, and roles of the nurse in advocating, caring, and collaborating to meet patient needs.

Significance of Theory for the Discipline

Distinguishes nursing from medicine, frames unique knowledge, and improves patient understanding and outcomes.

Significance of Theory for the Profession

Provides identity, guides education, research, and practice, and defines nursing boundaries and future directions.

Philosophy of Science in Nursing

Explores meaning of truth, evidence, and life in nursing practice, research, and patient care.

Epistemology

Branch of philosophy concerned with the nature, sources, and justification of knowledge.

Empiricism

School of thought holding that knowledge arises primarily from sensory experience and observation.

Rationalism

Philosophical view that reason and logic are the main sources of knowledge, independent of the senses.

Evidence-Based Practice

Clinical decision-making that integrates best current evidence, clinician expertise, and patient values.

Concept (in theory)

A basic building block of theory representing an idea or phenomenon, e.g., caring or pain.

Model

A visual or symbolic representation showing relationships among concepts within a theory.

Conceptual Framework

An organized system of related concepts that provides an overall structure for nursing ideas and research.

Proposition

A statement that articulates the relationship between two or more concepts in a theory.

Domain (Nursing)

The perspective or territory of the nursing profession, including its focus, values, and boundaries.

Process (Theoretical)

A sequence of actions or steps intended to achieve a specific nursing outcome.

Paradigm

A widely accepted worldview or pattern of shared assumptions guiding a discipline’s inquiry and practice.

Philosophy in Nursing

The personal and professional beliefs, values, and ethics that guide how nurses think and act.

Nursing Philosophy (Classification)

Most abstract level of theory that articulates the meaning of nursing through logical analysis (e.g., Nightingale, Watson).

Nursing Conceptual Model

Comprehensive framework addressing the metaparadigm and depicting relationships among its concepts (e.g., Roy, Orem).

Grand Nursing Theory

Broad, abstract theoretical works providing high-level frameworks for nursing phenomena and practice.

Middle-Range Nursing Theory

More precise theories focusing on specific aspects of nursing situations and linking practice to research.

Practice-Level Nursing Theory

Narrow, situation-specific theories that target particular patient populations or clinical contexts.

Structure of Nursing Knowledge

Hierarchical organization of nursing ideas: metaparadigm, philosophies, conceptual models, theories, and empirical indicators.

Holarchy (in Nursing)

A layered structure of nursing knowledge where each level is a whole in itself and part of a larger system.

Observation (Theory Development)

Initial step of noticing a problem or phenomenon that prompts formulation of a hypothesis.

Hypothesis

A tentative, logical prediction or explanation to be tested through research or experimentation.

Validation or Refinement

Process of confirming, modifying, or rejecting a hypothesis based on gathered evidence, leading to recognized theory.

Purpose of Nursing Theories

To improve practice, guide care, support clinical decisions, and enhance patient quality of life.

Growth of Nursing Theories (1950s–Present)

Period when numerous nurse scholars created models and theories, solidifying nursing’s scientific foundation.

John Locke

Empiricist philosopher who viewed the mind as a blank slate (tabula rasa) at birth, gaining knowledge through experience.

René Descartes

Rationalist thinker famous for “I think, therefore I am,” emphasizing reason as a source of knowledge.

Immanuel Kant

Philosopher associated with rationalism who argued that some knowledge is gained a priori through reason.

Empirical Knowledge in Nursing

Information derived from clinical experience, assessment, and research used to guide evidence-based care.

Rationalist Approaches in Nursing

Use of logical reasoning, ethical analysis, and theoretical deduction in clinical judgment and model building.

Significance of Empiricism & Rationalism in Nursing

Both ways of knowing inform critical thinking, pain perception understanding, and holistic patient care.

Theory

A logical group of general propositions used as principles to explain, predict, or control phenomena.

Evidence Gathering

Collection of data through experiments, case studies, or research to test hypotheses and inform theory.