Nursing Theory
To gain a strong foundation in nursing practice and develop an understanding of nurse care, students should be well-versed in nursing theory.
View several common nursing theories:
- Helen Erickson Response
- In Celebration of Virginia Avenue
- Inspiration for the Modeling
- Johnson Behavioral System
Submit a Nursing Theory
This collection of nursing theories is consistently updated. If you find other sites for any nursing theorists or you would like your work to be posted to this site, please email Dr. Lisa Wright Eichelberger at lisaeichelberger@clayton.edu.
As with any material on the web, you must evaluate its validity and reliability. Download a check list to help in your evaluation, and good luck with your searches. - If you would like to contribute working links for this page, find any broken links or would like to make suggestions for improving the site, please send an email to Dr. Lisa Wright Eichelberger.
Nursing Theory Art Gallery
View this art gallery where students post their artistic interpretation of various nursing theories. Email Dr. Lisa Wright Eichelberger to post yours!
General Nursing Theory Information
Eichelberger, L. W. (2011). Pioneering nursing theory on the world wide web – Evolution of nursing theory on the internet. In Sitzman, K., and Eichelberger, L. W., Understanding the work of nurse theorists: A creative beginning. 2nd Edition. pp.217-226. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
Website with general information about nursing theory and classifications of nurse theorists
Development of nursing theories
Rear Admiral Faye Glenn Abdellah
Description of Dr. Abdellah's 21 nursing problems
Website with a Synopsis of Abdellah’s work
Listing of documents at NIH related to Dr. Abdellah's work
General biographical information
Patricia Benner
Patricia Benner’s Faculty profile
From Novice to Expert
Reference list of Benner's Writings
Homepage for Dr. Hubert Dreyfus Emeriti Professor 2009-2010
University of California – Berkley
Boykin and Schoenhofer's Theory Nursing As Caring
International Association for Human Caring website
Boykin and Schoenhofer Reference List
Information and photos of theorists
Corbin and Strauss Chronic Illness Framework
Medline Reference to article by Corbin
Information on Nursing Model Website
Dr. Joanne Duffy's Quality-Caring Model
Quality Caring Assessment Tool
Facilitated Sensemaking Midrange Theory
Citations for literature using Facilitated Sensemaking as model
Facilitated Sensemaking: A Strategy and New Middle-Range Theory To Support Families of Intensive Care Unit Patients
Joyce J. Fitzpatrick's Life Perspective Rhythm Model
Link to Biographical Sketch about Fitzpatrick
Website giving overview of Model
Nurses.info website
Link to NLN journal where Dr. Fitzpatrick is Editor
Lydia E. Hall's Core, Care and Cure Circles
Virginia Henderson
YouTube presentation about Miss Henderson
Website with Synopsis of Henderson’s Work
Virginia Henderson International Nursing Library
Tribute originally published on the Sigma Theta Tau Web Site
Pointillism depicting Virginia Henderson's Work
Photos of Virginia Henderson’s Grave site
Hodges' Health Career Model (HCM)
Work of Brian Hodges of Sheffield England
Dorothy Johnson's Behavioral Systems Model
Website with Synopsis of Johnson’s Work
Bio sketch at Vanderbilt University Website
Listing of articles written by or about Johnson's Model - Mayo Clinic Library
Imogene King's Open Systems Model
Personal Note: Dr. Imogene King passed away on December 24th 2007. We lost one of the pioneers in nursing theory. At the time of her death, she was professor emeritus at the University of South Florida in Tampa.
Web Site for King International Nursing Group
Website with Synopsis of Dr. King’s Work
Website Describing Application of King’s Work
Link from NurseScribe
Imogene King : A Conceptual Framework for Nursing (Notes on Nursing Theories)
by Christina Sieloff
Kathy Kolcaba's Theory of Comfort
Artistic Interpretation of Kolcaba's Work
Website for information about Dr. Kolcaba's book on Comfort
CEU article on Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort
Leininger's Transcultural Nursing
The Transcultural Nursing Society and Transcultural Nursing Society Website
Application of Transcultural Nursing Model
Basic Concepts of Transcultural Nursing
Nurse.com site for Leininger
Levine's Conservation Model
Website with Synopsis of Levine’s Work
Kari Martinsen
Care and Vulnerability - Martinsen's Book in English
Blog with content information about Martinsen
*I no longer have a valid email address for Dr. Martinsen
Afaf Meleis-Transitions Model
Meleis' Theoretical Nursing: Development and Progress 4th Edition 2006
This definitive text demonstrates the connection between theoretical nursing and nursing
practice, and shows how research is related to both.
Ramona Mercer's Role Attainment
Biography Information
Merle Mishel - Uncertainty in Illness Model
Managing Uncertainty in Cancer Webpage
Links Page
Bibliography of article and books detailing use of Uncertainty in Illness Model
Modeling and Role-Modeling Theory
Modeling and Role-Modeling: A View from the Client’s World, (Ed. H. Erickson, 2006) New book expands the underlying concepts of the theory and paradigm in Erickson, Tomlin & Swain, 1983 book. It is designed to complement the original book, not to replace it..
Explanation of the inspiration for the MRM theory by Dr. Helen Erickson
Answers to questions from students by Dr. Erickson
Betty Neuman Systems Model
Overview of Neuman Model
Main Site for Neuman Systems Model at Neumann College
Website with Synopsis of Neuman’s Work
Website Describing Application of Neuman’s Work
Link to Neuman, B. & Fawcett, J. (Eds.) (2002). The Neuman Systems Model (4th Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ. Prentice Hall.
Margaret Newman
Health as Expanding Consciousness
Artistic Interpretation of Newman's Work
Online Power Point Presentation by Dr. Newman of her theory!!!! PDF file
Site for the Online Exhibit of Dr. Margaret A. Newman's work University of Tennessee Health Science Library
Florence Nightingale
Dr. Eichelberger's Clayton State University International Health Care Students at the Nightingale Museum May 2006
Miss Nightingales' Uniform hanging in the Nightingale Museum
Narration about Nightingale's work on YouTube
EBook of Nightingale’s Famous “Notes on Nursing”
Exhibit about Nurse Heroine Mary Secole is located in Nightingale Museum
Mrs. Seacole loved hats - Dress up center in the Nightingale Museum
Link to website about Nightingale’s gravesite.
Search the Nightingale Letters 39 letters from the University of Kansas Nurses Alumni Association
Country Joe McDonald's Tribute to Florence Nightingale
Florence Nightingale, Avenging Angel book
Modern History Sourcebook: Florence Nightingale: Rural Hygiene
Miss Nightingale's use of statistics in the Crimean War
Miss Nightingale's Mathematical education
Artistic Interpretation of Nightingale Work
Ida Jean Orlando
Orlando Web site University of Rhode Island
Website with a Synopsis of Orlando’s Work
On line Audio/Video of Orlando describing her life and development of her theory
Dorothea E. Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory (SCDNT)
Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory Home Page
Website with a Synopsis of Orem’s Work
Website Describing Application of Orem’s Work
BellaOnLine - The Voice of Women Website on Orem
Rosemarie Rizzo Parse
Parse's Theory of Human Becoming
Online source for Nursing Science Quarterly journal Dr. Parse edits
Link to source for purchasing Dr. Parse's book "The Human Becoming School of Thought"
Listserv to join discussion group
Paterson and Zderad's Humanistic Nursing Theory
Paterson and Zderad's Humanistic Nursing Theory Website authored by Karen Decker-Brown RN
Powerpoint on Paterson and Zderad's Theory
Humanistic Nursing Theory This site will link you to Dr. Susan Kleiman, Professor, Lehman College, who can offer insight into the Humanistic Theory. Dr. Kleiman has many of Paterson's and Zderad's unpublished papers and personal interviews in her possession.
Pender's Health Promotion Model
Nola Pender's University of Michigan Faculty Profile
Website with a Synopsis of Pender’s Work
Blog Spot on Nursing Theories - Pender's Model
Health Promotion Assumptions by Dr. Pender
Hildegarde Peplau
Peplau's Interpersonal Relations Model
Website with Synopsis of Peplau’s Model
Website with Application of Peplau’s Work
Q.U.E.S.T. Model for Reflective Practice
Model deals with nurse as wounded healer and self transcendence by Dr. Marion Conti-O'Hare For more information about the model, you can reach Dr. Conti-O'Hare's site here.
*Conti-O Hare, M. (2002). The nurse as wounded healer: From trauma to transcendence. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
Pamela Reed's Mid Range Theory of Self - Transcendence
Nursing Theory.net site on Self Transcendence
Link to article on Commentary about using Self Transcendence in Homeless Population
Link to abstract of article referencing Reed's Self Transcendence Scale
Joan Riehl-Sisca
Synopsis of Riehl-Sisca's work
Martha Rogers: The Science of Unitary Human Beings
Society of Rogerian Scholars website
Website with a Synopsis of Rogers’ Work
Washburn University ’s Martha Rogers’ page
Listing of articles by or about Martha Rogers
Artistic Interpretation of Roger's Theory
Link to the Martha Rogers’ Collection at Bellevue Alumnae Center for Nursing History, Foundation of the New York State Nurses Association
Link to photographs and information of Martha Roger's gravesite
Roper, Logan and Tierney's Theory of Nursing
New Book on Application of RLT Theory in Practice
Bibliography, citations and case studies retrieved from J. Norris' website, 2003
Sister Callista Roy's Adaptation Model
Link to Lecture by Dr. Callista Roy at Clayton State University on May 1st, 2015 – Speaking on role of Nursing Knowledge and Role in Affordable Care Act, IOM Future of Nursing Campaign and Academy of Nursing Edge Runner Nurses
Dr. Eichelberger’s Interview with Sr. Callista Roy - Renown nurse theorist Sr. Callista Roy is interviewed by Dr. Lisa Wright Eichelberger, author of Understanding the work of nurse theorists: A creative beginning. 3rd edition May 1st, 2015 on the campus of Clayton State University
Website with a Synopsis of Roy’s Work
Website Describing the Application of Roy’s Work
Artistic Interpretation of Roy's theory
Reva Rubin – Theory of Maternal Identity
Interview with Rubin - Theorist Collection Helene Fuld VHS
Presentation by Kathryn Barnard on Stepping Up utilizing Rubin's Theory
Gay, Engil & Douglas Article - Rubin Revisited
Website with Synopsis of Rubin’s work
Ruland and Moore's End of Life Theory
Website with general reference links
Ruland CM, Moore SM. Theory construction based on standards of care: a proposed theory of the peaceful end of life. Nurs Outlook. 1998; 46:169-175.
Synergy Model
American Association of Critical Care Nurses Synergy Model of Patient Care
Synergy: Framework for Professional Development and Transformation
The AACN Synergy Model for Patient Care Reference List
Excellence in Nursing Knowledge Online Journal
Synergy for Clinical Excellence: The AACN Synergy Model for Patient Care
Sonya Hardin, RN, PhD, CCRN, UNC Charlotte, & Roberta Kaplow, RN, PhD, CCRN, CCNS,
AOCNS, DeKalb Medical Center
Van Sell and Kalofissudis's Complexity Nursing Theory
Work by Ioannis Kalofissudis RN of Athens, Greece and Dr. Sharon Van Sell of USA
Formulating Nursing Theory by Kalofissudis and Van Sell
Link to ON line Web Journal ICUs and Nursing Web Journal
Jean Watson's Theory of Caring
Website with a Synopsis of Watson’s Work
Colorado Center for Human Caring and Watson's Caring Theory page.
Assessing and Measuring Caring in Nursing and Health Science by Jean Watson 2001 AJN Book of the Year
Ernestine Wiedenbach
A Tribute to the Legacy of Ernestine Wiedenbach
Theory Overview on Wiedenbach Page
Pointillism depicting Wiedenbach's Helping Art
Link to a list of Wiedenbach's Books
Wittmann-Price Theory of Emancipated Decision Making
Wittmann-Price Theory of Emancipated Decision-
Making (EDM) is a theoretical model for the nursing care of
women to increase women’s satisfaction with decision-making about healthcare issues.
Links to articles researching this theoretical model
Subconcepts
Concept Analysis
Subconcepts
Testing Model
Other On line Nursing Theory Resources
The Theory Web Page - International group interested in web sites for nursing theory
International Network for Doctoral Education in Nursing
DVD CD-ROM Online Media Resources
FITNE Products
Excellence in Action - These products can be purchased as DVD's or Online. They are designed to show nursing students how theories are applied in practice providing examples of how implementation can save money and increase efficiency.
Individual titles include: From Beginner to Expert: Clinical Knowledge in Critical Care
Self-Care Framework Model in Practice (Orem)
Adaptation Model in Practice
Electronic Nursing Resources
The Hardin Library for the Health Sciences Electronic Homepage has: Full text Journals, Subject-specific Web resources, Governmental and statistical resources, Medical databases, and more.
On Line Journals
Evidence Based Nursing Practice Journal
Online Journal of Nursing free of charge
History of the Nursing Theory Page
This page was originally designed in Fall of 1996 by two undergraduate students at Clayton State University in Morrow, GA. as part of their Nursing Theory coursework. CSU was one of the first public universities to require laptop computers for all its undergraduate students and this project was a result of some of the technology skills developed during that process. I have revised, redone, edited and expanded the page since 1996. Lisa Eichelberger
Information on Dr. Eichelberger
Information on Dr. Eichelberger's Theory textbook>FYI!! The third edition of Understanding the Work of the Nursing Theorist is scheduled to be released in 2015.