Vital notes for nurses : nursing models, theories and practice

Contents; Preface; 1: Introduction: The Case for Theory in Nursing; The necessity of theory; Theory defined; Reflecting on the definition; The position so far; Do we really need theory?; Can we do without theory?; Viewing theory in the wider context; Final thoughts: our theory for our practice; 2: Theory from Practice or Practice from Theory?; Moving forward; The questions begged; Next steps; The nature of knowledge; Theory-practice gaps; Science-practice gaps; Conclusion; 3: Knowing and Knowledge: Importance for Nursing; Philosophies of knowledge; How science develops; The move to phenomenologyHow do nurses know?; Categories of knowing; Carper's ways of knowing in nursing; Linking knowing with theory; Research as a basis for knowledge development; Developing nursing knowledge through reasoning; 4: Nursing Theories and Nursing Roles; Role theory; Interagency/interprofessional changes; Confusion surrounding innovative roles; Accountability; Isolation and burnout; Inconsistency in role development; Deskilling of generalist practitioners; Influence of the medical model on nursing roles; Relevance of existing 'grand' nursing theories; Relevance of existing 'middle range' nursing theoriesRelevance of existing practice theories; 5: Nursing Theories or Nursing Models?; Models; Theories; Classification of theories; The metaparadigm; Limitations of nursing theories; Benefits of nursing theories; 6: Nursing Theories and Interpersonal Relationships; Interpersonal theories of nursing; Implications for nurse education; Social capital; Threats to interpersonal theories and practice; 7: Selecting a Suitable Theory; Problems in selecting a theory; Criteria for selecting an appropriate theory; Paradigms as a basis for choice; Practitioners' values and beliefs as a basis for choiceA strategy for choice; 8: Research-Based Theories or Theory-Based Research?; Theory-generating research; Theory-testing research; Theory-framed research; Theory-evaluating research; Empirical relationship between theory and research; Strategies for theory development through research; 9: Evaluating Nursing Theories; The words that pave our path; Testing and evaluating theory; Summative and formative evaluation; Evaluation frameworks; Conclusion; References; Index.

Vital Notes for Nurses: Nursing Models, Theories and Practice provides a concise, accessible introduction to the development, application and evaluation of nursing theories and clearly outlines their relevance to everyday nursing practice. It encourages the reader to view theories from a broader conceptual base, enabling them to be more objective when it comes to clinical practice. Suitable for nursing students and newly qualified nurses, the authors explore the relationship between nursing theories and practice, specifically analysing their origins, development, selection and use. It discusses how nursing theories evolve, how they relate to nursing roles, how to select a nursing theory relevant to your practice, and how to evaluate theories critically. Key Features: Clearly examines the relationship between nursing theory, clinical practice and nursing roles Written in a clear, accessible style which assumes no prior knowledge. Useful to all nursing students on the common foundation programme as well as newly qualified nurses. Each chapter includes features such as activities, case studies and learning objectives In the Vital Notes for Nurses series.