Nursing theory refers to as a mean to structure ideas that allow gaining a systematic and tentative evaluation of the phenomena. It is a combination of related nursing theories that imply practice modeling. All the theories in nursing practice are divided into three types: grand nursing theory, middle-range nursing theory, and micro-range nursing theory. This study is intended to provide an in-depth description of each theory, give the examples, and specify which theory I am the most likely to use in my nursing practice.
Grand Nursing Theories
Grand nursing theory is focused on general propositions and concepts. Theorists of this level provide and reflect insights which are useful for nursing practice by cannot be utilized for empirical testing. It limits the implication of grand theories to predicting, directing, or explaining nursing in specific situations. These theorists are related to all the nursing instances. Grand theories comprise frameworks which define broad perspectives for nursing practice and the way to evaluate nursing phenomenon regarding these perspectives (Parker, 2005, p. 7). Dorothea Orem`s Self-Care Deficit Theory is one of the most common theories in nursing clinical practice (Shah, 2015, p. 39). It belongs to the grand theories since it determines the nursing`s goal and nursing`s concern. Both concepts are broad enough to relate to the general nursing practice and be used in complex situations.
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Middle-Range Nursing Theories
This type of nursing theory is utilized for both complex cases and empirical studies. It is narrower in scope and is referred to as a bridge between micro-range and grand theories. These theories have a lower level of abstracted compared to the grand theories. Middle-range theories serve as a basis for the development of nursing strategies. They specify the relations between several concepts (Parker, 2005, p. 8). Roy`s Adaptation Model is one of the examples of middle-range nursing theories. Although it explores an individual as an adaptive system, it still implies explicit concepts, including the Theory of Caregiver Stress, the Theory of Adaptation during Childbearing, etc.
Micro-range Nursing Theories
This type of nursing theories has the most limited level of abstraction and scope. They are used only within peculiar nursing situations. Micro-range nursing theories serve as a framework for nursing intervention. It forecasts the effect and outcome of nursing practice. According to micro-range nursing theory, every nurse`s action, procedure, and questions can be described as micro-level nursing practice. These theories are interrelated with the middle-range nursing concepts (Parker, 2005, p. 7). Micro-range theories also reflect propositions and concepts of the abstract level of the theories. For nurses, the everyday experience is a major force of micro-range theories. The example is the Attending Nurse Caring Model. It explores the care planning and interaction of nurse with patient (Watson, & Foster, 2003). It applies to a particular situation and does not imply any explicit theory.
In my practice, I will rely on the middle-range nursing theories. They entail both general concepts which relate to any nursing practice and specific theories that are restrained by the situation. Middle-range theory connects grand nursing and micro-range concepts. I would choose this type of nursing theory as it is both easy to apply in nursing practice and broad enough to spark the interest of the scientific-minded workers.
- Parker, M. (2005). Nursing theories and nursing practice. Boca Raton: Davis Company.
- Shah, M. (2015). Compare and contrast of grand theories: Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory and Roy’s Adaptation Model. International Journal of Nursing Didactics, 5 (1): 39-42.
- Watson, J. & Foster, R. (2003). The Attending Nurse Caring Model: Integrating theory, evidence and advanced caring–healing therapeutics for transforming professional practice. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 12. Retrieved from http://www.watsoncaringscience.org
