A Comparison of Grand Theorists
Nursing theory has been evaluated and reviewed over time to determine if theories develop framework to develop best practices. In this paper, we will review four grand theorists and compare their theories. After evaluating each theory, as the reviewer, I will infer which theory I most align my personal practice and why.
The first of the grand theorists for review is Virginia Henderson, a needs therapist and her theory of Activities of Living. Her theory identified 14 components that are needed in daily life to assure health and the possibility to regain health and/or independence (Nursing, 2019). She identified normal activities such as breathing, moving, elimination, communication, spirituality, and abilities such as learning and discovering. Henderson felt is it necessary to educate patients for independence. She felt that a patient must be able to care for themselves to preserve their health. Virginia Henderson succeeded with an educational pathway up to her Masters degree (Nursing, 2019).
The next theorist is Hildegard Peplau. Peplau is an interaction theorist that developed the Theory of nurse-patient relationship. This theory developed roles that included, the stranger role, resource role, teaching role, counseling role, surrogate role, active leadership role and technical expert role (Nursing, 2019). With each of these roles, the nurse takes each role and implements interventions to educate the patient and problem solve for goal setting. As an interaction theorist, she used roles to meet goals (Meleis, 2018). Peplau’s education was finalized with her Doctoral degree.
For the outcomes theorist, I chose Martha Rogers and her theory of Science of unitary human beings. Rogers chose to build on human nature and created this theory to collapse nursing science and artfulness to meet demands of the patient. When rehabilitation a patient, Rogers chose pain management and psychotherapy as her focus. Non-invasive interventions were used. Rogers’ proven education was completed in 1954 with her Doctorate degree.
Last, for the caring/human becoming theorist, Jean Watson developed the philosophy of science and caring. This theory developed 10 carative identifiers in which three developed a philosophical foundation with the remaining seven part of the major concepts (Nursing, 2019). Her theory used a holistic style wherein she wanted patients to feel cared for. She felt the nurse should oblige the patient through interpersonal relationships. Watson completed her Bachelors of Nursing, then specialized in mental health nursing and psych and then finished her education and earned her PhD in psychology and counseling.
Of the 4 theorists discussed, as a home health nurse, I align with Hildegard Peplau. Of the 7 roles she developed, in home health nursing, you serve each of these. Many patients do not welcome home health initially and usually do so to appease their family or physician. If we home health nurses align with the stranger role, we are able to start the relationship and then build on the next role. The primary feedback we receive from patients is how they appreciate us taking the time with them. A benefit to home care is not feeling rushed by a waiting room full of patients. It is easy to find ourselves in each of Peplau’s role when doing our job correctly and completely. We provide resources, we educate, we counsel, we advocate, we hold patient’s accountable for self-improvement and goal meeting and lastly, as nurses we all prepare for the role of nursing, the actual physical care.
References
- Meleis, A. I. (2018). Theoretical nursing: development and progress (6 th ed.). Philadelphia Wolters Kluwer. ISBN: 978-0-06-000042-4
- Nursing Theorists. (n. d.). Retrieved January 30, 2019, from http://nursing-theory. org/nursing-theorists/
