METAPARADIGM OF NURSINGGreek: “meta”- with

“paradeigma” - pattern

NURSING PARADIGMS: are patterns or models used to show a clear relationship among the existing theoretical works in nursing.

Theories in Nursing focus on the relationship among these

Four Major Concepts:1.Person2.Environment3.Health4.Nursing

CHARACTERISTICS OF A THEORY Theories can correlate

concepts in such a way as to generate a different way of looking at a certain fact or phenomenon.

Theories must be logical in nature.

Theories should be simple but generally broad in nature.

Theories can be the source of hypotheses that can be tested for it to be elaborated.

Theories contribute in enriching the general body of knowledge through the studies implemented to validate them.

Theories can be used by practitioners to direct and enhance their practice.

Theories must be consistent with other validated theories, laws, and principles but will leave open unanswered issues that need to be tested.

CLASSIFICATION OF NURSING THEORIES DESCRIPTIVE THEORIES

(Factor-Isolating Theories)- To know the properties and workings of a discipline.- main purpose is to present a phenomena based on the five senses together with their corresponding meaning.

EXPLANATORY THEORIES(Factor-Relating Theories)- present relationship among concepts and propositions.- Cause & effect relationship are well explained.

•PREDICTIVE THEORIES (Situation-Relating Theories) Are achieved when the

relationships of concept under a certain condition are able to describe future outcomes consistently.

•PRESCRIPTIVE THEORIES(Situation-Producing Theory) This theory deals with

nursing actions, and test the validity and certainty of a specific nursing intervention.

This kind is commonly used in testing new nursing interventions.

PHILOSOPHY IN NURSING- is the next knowledge level after metaparadigm. It specifies the definition of metaparadigm concepts.

CONCEPTS – are the building blocks of theories.It enhances ones capacity to understand phenomena as it helps define the meaning of a word.

2 TYPES OF CONCEPTS:1.ABSTRACT CONCEPTS – are indirectly

observed or intangible. e.g. Love, care, freedom

2.CONCRETE CONCEPTS – are directly observed or tangible. e.g. Nurse, mother, pain

CONCEPTUAL DEFINITIONS – are the meaning of a word based on how a certain theory or relevant literature perceives it to be.

OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS – are meaning of a word based on the method of how it was measured or how the person come up with the perception.

THEORETICAL MODELS OR FRAMEWORK

- are highly established set of concepts that are testable.

CONCEPTUAL MODELS OR FRAMEWORK

- Are representations of an idea or body of knowledge based on the own understanding or perception of a person or researcher on a certain topic, phenomena or theory.

SCIENCE- Latin (scientia) “knowledge” - the organized body of knowledge gained through research.

SCIENTIFIC METHOD:1.Observation2.Gathering Data3.Forming Hypothesis4.Experimental Investigation5.Conclusion/ Theoretical

Explanation

KNOWLEDGE – Information, skills and expertise acquired by a person through formal/informal learning.

TYPES OF COGNITIVE PROCESSES

1.PERCEPTION2.ASSOCIATION3.LEARNING4.REASONING5.COMMUNICATION

SOURCES OF KNOWLEDGE

1.TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE

2.AUTHORITATIVE KNOWLEDGE

3.SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE

• The purpose of Nursing Theory is to provide direction and purpose to the practice of nursing.

* Nursing Theories are developed to improve the quality of care rendered by nurses to their client.

* Nursing theories serve as an excellent help in the development and expansion of knowledge, and support in different features of learning such as education, research & clinical practice.

Purpose of Nursing Theory in relation to;

1.Education – nursing theory was used primarily to establish the profession’s place in the university.

2.Research – nursing research identifies the philosophical assumptions or theoretical frameworks from which it proceeds. 

-new theoretical perspectives provide an essential service by identifying gasps in the way we approach specific fields of study such as symptom management or quality of life.

3. Practice – the primary contribution of nursing theory when employed in a clinical setting is the facilitation of reflection, questioning, and thinking about what nurses do. -nursing theory is a useful tool for reasoning, critical thinking, and decision making in nursing practice. 

GRAND THEORIES: Broad in scope and complex

in nature, they only assist nursing research in occasional manner.

MIDDLE RANGE THEORIES: Nursing research are usually

based on these theories. It focuses on the discovery of concepts.

CRITICAL THEORY: Helps elaborate more on how social structures( race,gender,sex, orientation & economic class) affect experiences & health outcomes.