Running head: GRAND THEORISTS 1

Grand Theorists

Marsha Williams

Maryville University
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Grand Theorists

Theories build a foundation around nursing practices today. Theories can be divided into

four categories which are needs, interaction, outcome, and humanistic or caring. The categories

listed guided many theorists in their philosophies of nursing.

Dorothea Orem was a needs theorist. Orems self-care model describes structure where

the nurse assists the patient, where needed, to maintain an adequate level of self-care. The degree

of nurse care and intervention depends on the degree to which the patient is able or unable to

meet self-care needs (Masters, 2011, p. 96). Her theory was used more to guide nursing practice

than nursing research. Dorothea Orem achieved many awards in her career and died in 2007.

Hildegard Peplau was an interaction theorist. Her theory focused on relationships. Peplau

defined nursing as being able to understand ones own behavior to help others identify felt

difficulties and to apply principles of human relations to problems that arise at all levels of

experience (Comley, 1994), Her theory moved toward psychological meanings and away from

disease which revolutionized the practice of psychiatric nursing. Peplau was a leading figure in

psychiatry and died in 1999.

Martha Rogers was an outcome theorist. Her theory considered human beings as a whole,

cannot be divided in parts. Her theory was known as the science of unitary human beings

(Taylor & Lillis, 2001). The patient and their environment are one. Rogers describes the life

process of a patient as energy field, openness, pattern, and pan dimensional (Taylor & Lillis,

2001). Her belief was the nurse served the patient and the safe practice of nursing depended on

the nurses knowledge. Rogers believed nursing was both science and art. She died in 1994.

Jean Watson was a caring theorist. She viewed human beings as valued people. Health is

seen as unity and harmony within the mind, body, and soul (Wills & McEwen, 2002). The focus
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was placed on human relationship and transaction between persons and their environment and

how that affects health and healing (Wills & McEwen, 2002). Her theory was known as the

theory of human caring.

Jean Watsons theory of human caring is most congruent with my personal philosophy.

Her theory places a big emphasis on faith and hope. Watson believed when modern science has

nothing further to offer the person, the nurse can use faith and hope to provide a sense of well-

being through beliefs which are meaningful to individuals (Wills & McEwen, 2002). Nursing

should put an emphasis on the caring environment. I strive as a nurse to treat all my patients and

their families as I would want to be treated or my family. Hope, faith, compassion, dignity, and

respect brings a person closer to well-being. My beliefs are incorporating these goals in your

nursing practice brings you closer to patients and forms the bond of trust. When a person feels

safe, peace of mind, body, and soul follows.

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References

Comley, A. L. (1994). A comparative analysis of Orems self-care model and Peplaus

interpersonal theory. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 20, 755-760.

Masters, K. (2011). Nursing theories: A framework for professional practice. Retrieved from

Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Taylor, C., & Lillis, C. (2001). The art and science of nursing care. (4th ed.). Retrieved from

Lippincott.

Wills, M. E., & McEwen, M. (2002). Theoretical basis for nursing. Retrieved from Lippincott

Williams & Wilkins.