Grand nursing theory is a comprehensive framework or conceptual model that outlines the key concepts, principles, and assumptions underlying nursing practice. Nursing theorists, scholars, and guides often develop these theories and inform nursing practice, education, research, and policy development (Regis College Online, 2019). A conceptual framework, also known as a grand nursing theory, is an expansive theory that explains the primary notions, tenets, and presumptions that guide nursing practice. These ideas frequently give nurses a philosophical and theoretical foundation for their work and direct them in comprehending the nature of health and sickness and how people react to both.
Grand nursing theories and conceptual frameworks frequently touch on various topics connected to nursing practice, including the nurse-patient relationship, the meaning of caring, the use of technology in healthcare, and the significance of patient-centred care. These ideas, frequently created by nursing theorists and academics, guide nursing practice, instruction, research, and policy creation. Some examples of conceptual frameworks and grand nursing theories include the Roy Adaptation Model, the Health Promotion Model, and the Transcultural Nursing Model. These theories provide a framework for understanding the complex interplay between the individual, their environment, and their health and guide nurses in delivering high-quality, patient-centred care (dadad dadadad, 2019).
The metaparadigm of nursing refers to the broadest perspective of the nursing profession and encompasses the four primary concepts that are central to nursing practice which is person, environment, health, and nursing. These concepts are interrelated and interdependent and provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the nature and scope of nursing practice. The idea of person refers to the individual or group receiving care from the nurse. This includes the person’s physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects and unique experiences, perceptions, and responses to health and illness. The environment concept encompasses the physical, social, and cultural context in which the person lives and interacts (Nursing Metaparadigm Concepts and Theory, 2020). The environment includes the external factors that influence the person’s health and well-being, such as living conditions, social support, and access to healthcare.
The concept of health refers to the person’s overall well-being, including physical, mental, and social aspects. Health is viewed as a dynamic process and is influenced by individual factors, environmental factors, and the interplay between these factors (Wayne, 2019). The concept of nursing encompasses the role and responsibilities of the nurse in providing care to the person. This includes the assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care, as well as the promotion of health, prevention of illness, and disease management. The metaparadigm of nursing provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the nature and scope of nursing practice and guides the development of nursing theories and models. It is also a nursing education, research, and policy development foundation.
Nursing theorists use the metaparadigm concepts of person, environment, health, and nursing to develop their conceptual frameworks or grand nursing theories. These concepts are integral to developing nursing theories and provide the framework for understanding the nature and scope of nursing practice. Nursing theorists often use the idea of a person to develop their approaches and frameworks around the individual or group receiving care. For example, Dorothea Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory emphasizes the importance of individual agency and the person’s role in maintaining their health through self-care activities.
Theorists also consider the environmental context in which care is provided, such as the physical, social, and cultural factors influencing health and well-being. Rosemarie Rizzo Parse’s Human Becoming Theory focuses on the individual’s unique perspective and experience, recognizing the importance of the environment in shaping these experiences. The concept of health is central to nursing theories, with many theorists considering health to be a dynamic process influenced by individual and environmental factors. For example, the Health Promotion Model developed by Nola Pender emphasizes the importance of health promotion and disease prevention in maintaining and improving overall health.
Additionally, they use the concept of nursing to describe the role and responsibilities of the nurse in providing care to the person. Myra Levine’s Conservation Model, for example, focuses on the part of the nurse in preserving and promoting the person’s health through environmental, cultural, and personal factors. Generally, nursing theorists use the metaparadigm concepts to develop their conceptual frameworks and grand nursing theories. These concepts provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the nature and scope of nursing practice and guide the development of nursing theories and models.
Advanced practice nurses (APNs) can use the conceptual framework or grand nursing theory to guide their practice and inform their clinical decision-making. For example, the Roy Adaptation Model can be used by APNs to assess and manage patient responses to stressors and promote patient adaptation. Also, nursing education can use the conceptual framework or grand nursing theory to inform curriculum development and guide teaching strategies. For example, the Transcultural Nursing Model can teach nursing students about cultural competence and the importance of considering cultural factors in providing patient-centred care. In addition, it can be used to guide nursing research and inform study design and analysis. For example, the Health Promotion Model can be used to develop and test interventions to promote health and prevent disease (https://www.facebook.com/verywell, 2020)
Moreover, the conceptual framework or grand nursing theory can be used to inform health policy development and advocate for changes in healthcare delivery. For example, the Conservation Model can inform policies related to environmental health and promote the preservation and promotion of health through environmental conservation efforts. In summary, the conceptual framework or grand nursing theory can be used in advanced nursing roles to guide and inform nursing practice, education, research, and policy development. By using this framework, advanced practice nurses can provide high-quality, patient-centred care informed by a comprehensive understanding of the nature and scope of nursing practice.
In conclusion, the conceptual framework or grand nursing theory provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the nature and scope of nursing practice. The metaparadigm concepts of person, environment, health, and nursing serve as the foundation of nursing theories and models, guiding the development of nursing practice, education, research, and policy development. Advanced nursing roles can benefit significantly from this framework, as it can inform and guide clinical decision-making, curriculum development, study design, and policy development. By using this framework, nurses can provide high-quality, patient-centred care grounded in a deep understanding of health and illness’s complex and dynamic nature.
References
dadad dadadad. (2019, July 4). Understanding Nursing Theories and Conceptual Frameworks — ТОВ “ЄВРОЕНЕРГОТРЕЙД“. Eetrade.org. https://eetrade.org/understanding-nursing-theories-and-conceptual-frameworks-2/
https://www.facebook.com/verywell. (2020). How Advanced Practice Nurses Are Part of the Medical Care Team. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-an-advanced-practice-nurse-3146085
Nursing Metaparadigm Concepts and Theory. (2020, September 16). Registered Nurse: RN Guide about Nursing Schools and Programs. https://www.topregisterednurse.com/metapardigm-of-nursing/
Regis College Online. (2019, October 25). What Is Nursing Theory? Key Concepts for DNPs | Regis College Online. Regis College Online. https://online.regiscollege.edu/blog/what-is-nursing-theory/#:~:text=Grand%20Nursing%20Theories%20%E2%80%94%20These%20types,a%20nurse%20theorist’s%20own%20experience.
Wayne, G. (2019, September 10). Nursing Theories and Theorists: The Definitive Guide for Nurses. Nurseslabs. https://nurseslabs.com/nursing-theories/
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