Choose one grand nursing theory and one middle-range theory and have them approved by your instructor. Write an 8–10 page comparison paper based on your approved theories.
Based on the reading assignment ( McEwen & Wills, Theoretical Basis for Nursing, Unit II: Nursing Theories, chapters 6–9), select a grand nursing theory.
After studying and analyzing the approved theory, write about this theory, including an overview of the theory and specific examples of how it could be applied in your own clinical setting.
Based on the reading assignment ( McEwen & Wills, Theoretical Basis for Nursing, Unit II: Nursing Theories, chapters 10 and 11), select a middle-range theory.
After studying and analyzing the approved theory, write about this theory, including an overview of the theory and specific examples of how it could be applied in your own clinical setting.
The following should be included:
An introduction, including an overview of both selected nursing theories
Background of the theories
Philosophical underpinnings of the theories
Major assumptions, concepts, and relationships
Clinical applications/usefulness/value to extending nursing science testability
Comparison of the use of both theories in nursing practice
Specific examples of how both theories could be applied in your specific clinical setting
Parsimony
Conclusion/summary
References: Use the course text and a minimum of three additional sources, listed in APA format
The paper should be 8–10 pages long and based on instructor-approved theories. It should be typed in Times New Roman using 12-point font, and double-spaced with 1″ margins. APA format must be used, including a properly formatted cover page, in-text citations, and a reference list. The proper use of headings in APA format is also required.
FEEDBACK from professor:
Jennifer – Both nursing theories serve as frameworks to understand nursing via the identification of relevant experiences that require examination. The importance of your two nursing theories, in general, to the nursing profession is discussed with substance. Philosophical underpinning refer to the material and construction used for the support and structure of a theory or theoretical framework. Philosophical underpinnings often serve as the foundation for research papers. You did great with reviewing the philosophical underpinnings / theoretical framework involved in both of these theories. Assumptions are statements accepted as given truths without proof. In order to use a theory, the assumptions must be accepted by the user. Assumptions set the foundation for the application of a particular theory. Concepts are words that describe objects, properties, or events and are basic components of theory. Concepts are organized within and around theories. Four concepts common in nursing theory that influence and determine nursing practice are:
The person (patient)
The environment
Health
Nursing (goals, roles, functions)
Each of these concepts is usually defined and described by a nursing theorist. Of the four concepts, the most important is that of the person. The focus of nursing is the person.
You have also examined relationships that exist within the theories you have selected to examine. The relationship between theory and practice is mutual. You did great with this section. Theory can also be used to guide the research process by generating and testing phenomena of interest. You needed to discuss testability and usefulness of your theories with detail. For example, how have both of your theories been utilized in research studies. The primary purpose of theory in the profession of nursing is to improve practice by positively influence the health and quality of life of patients. A theory is considered useful if it can generate new ideas and new discoveries. Good job here on explaining how you would apply both theoretical frameworks to both nursing and your individual practice structure. You gave detail on how you would apply these theories to your individual practice. The principle of parsimony dictates that a theory should provide the simplest possible explanation for a phenomenon. The principle of parsimony is based on the principle of Occam’s razor, which states that the simplest explanation for a phenomenon is usually the correct one. This is because the simpler a theory is, the less likely it is to be wrong. The principle of parsimony is therefore based on the idea that the simplest explanation is usually the correct one.
The principle of parsimony is useful because it can help us to find the correct explanation for a phenomenon. For example, if we are trying to explain why a particular event happened, we can use the principle of parsimony to find the simplest explanation. This can help us to save time and effort, and to avoid making mistakes.
You discussed parsimony with adequate attention to detail.
Your conclusion provided a summary of key points of the paper as well as insights gained during the assignment.
