Nursing Practice Theory - Research Paper Example

Nursing Practice Theory The definition of theory is; a notion or idea that explains experience, interprets observation, describes relationships, and projects outcomes (Parker & Smith, 2010). Theories are developed by individuals through their values, beliefs, and experiences. Nursing theories are tenets that guide the study, practice, and thinking of nursing. The development of such patterns provides a guide to nursing practice and standards. There are various theories of nursing; grand theories, middle range theories, and nursing practice theory.

All these give details about phenomena within the realm of nursing (Parker & Smith, 2010).There exists a relationship between grand theories, middle range theories, and nursing practice theories in that, all these discuss about nursing as a profession and provide a guide for nursing practice. Grand theories are general concepts and are representative of a wide range of nursing practice. They, therefore, have the broadest scope. They use statements to show relationship otherwise known as assumptions to show the basis of their philosophy.

Grand theories form the basis for expansion of other theories, research and development of new standards. The focus of grand theories is on the “phenomena of concern to the discipline such as person as adaptive systems, self-care deficits, unitary human beings, human becoming, or health as expanding consciousness” (Parker & Smith, 2010). Grand nursing theories are visions to be used in nursing practice. However, the limitation of these theories is that, they cannot be universally tested; hence, they have limited capabilities in guiding, explaining, and foretelling about specific situations in nursing.

This is because; these theories were developed by scholars who were thinking way above their time. Middle range theories are derived from concepts of grand theories. These theories are narrow in scope as compared to grand theories, and they offer an effective bridge between grand theories and the description of specific nursing phenomena. These theories are of advantage in the sense that, they are more applicable to nursing practices and situations. This theory allows testing of theory through research, devising strategies for nursing practice, and developing tools for nursing practice.

As a result of this, middle range theories are more efficient and proficient as compared to the other theories. As a result of covering a wider scope, middle range theories are applicable in many health care institutions and other health quarters.Nursing practice theories, on the other hand, are limited in scope and level of practice however; they have more direct impact on practice. Therefore, one major difference between nursing practice theories and middle range theories is that, the former have a limited scope, hence, are applicable in minimal health care quarters, while the latter have a wider scope, hence, they are applicable in many health care quarters.

However, nursing practice theories are of advantage as compared to middle range theories since they offer noteworthy nursing frameworks and interventions, hence, they have a direct impact on nursing practice. As a result of this, they have faster results as compared to middle range theories (Parker & Smith, 2010). All in all, nursing theories are interconnected in that their role is to enable nursing practices bring positive impacts to clients and patients. For example, nursing practice theories are connected to the concepts of grand nursing theories and middle range theories, hence, all these theories overlap.

ReferencesParker,M. E., & Smith, M. C. (2010). Nursing theories and nursing practice. Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis