N207 Theoretical Foundations of Nursing (AY 2023)

1. What makes the works of Nightingale, Henderson, Levine and Hall Categorized as Pre-Paradigmatic? A paradigm is a worldview or an overall way of looking at a discipline and its science (Mackinnon & Powell, 2008). While empirical knowledge has been greatly contributing to the theories of nursing, the need for Nursing as an act of caring has been greatly applied way before the paradigms and actual sets of scientific bases have been established. Florence Nightingale, as the mother of modern nursing has seen the importance of environment in tremendously improving outcomes of recovery. Henderson's focus is to address the fourteen (14) basic needs which gives limits to its scope. Levine's theory highlighted four conservation principles as an important aspect of her theory while Lydia Hall's theory focused on the care, core and cure components. As all theories have not utilised the four (4) paradigms that guides the completeness of a theory, It can be drawn that the mentioned theories fall under the Pre-paradigm design of nursing theories. 2. Do we really need theory in the practice of nursing? Yes, as nursing as a science consist of evidence-based notions that guides practice. Theoretical guidance for the professional practice of nursing is required for the development of nursing knowledge. (Donaldson and Crawley, 1978). Nursing theories as old as Nightingale's is just as useful as the newer ones being synthesised that is why as the discipline of nursing continuously evolves in terms of practice, understanding how phenomenas and advancements lead to empirical knowledge help in creating more concepts that will improve delivery of care in the nursing realm.