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TOPIC. Three behavioral theories have been used to develop major nursing theories: interactive, systems, and developmental.
PURPOSE. To provide a symbolic image as a framework for nurses to visualize the multitude of nursing theories starting with the first nurse theorist, Florence Nightingale.
SOURCES. Published research articles, authors' experience, educational classes and workshops.
CONCLUSIONS. The Living Tree helps organize various nursing theories so a nurse can apply the theories to practice.
Search terms: Nursing theory, theory-based nursing practice
The Living Tree of Nursing Theories is a growing, interactive, and interdependent tree that has deep roots and historical value. As the nursing profession has developed, many different theories of nursing have been presented. The purpose of this article to present some of the leading theories or models.
A virtual tree provides a visual representation of major nursing theories. The roots of the tree are the four metaparadigms defined as person, environment, health, and nursing. Because Florence Nightingale has been credited as the first nurse theorist, she represents the trunk of the tree. The three branches of the tree represent a classification of a theory or model-interactive, systems, and developmental. From each branch, the nurse theorists are symbolized as the ever-growing and so important smaller boughs of the Living Tree. In nursing literature, the term model is often referred to as a theory. For the purpose of this article, the two terms will be used interchangeably and are defined as a concept that provides a framework for nursing practice. The controversy regarding what is defined as theory and as conceptual model has created a wide range of definitions by nurse theorists and nurse scholars. Several theories will be summarized here, but it will be up to nursing practice and research to further delineate nursing theory versus conceptual model.
Nurse theorists have used various definitions to develop and support their theoretical frameworks. Their worldview is based on their personal, socioeconomic, political, spiritual, and educational experiences. They have applied these factors in developing their own theories and definitions of terms and concepts to explain each theory.
Metaparadigms: Roots of the Tree
The four metaparadigms represented in the roots of the Living Tree are person, environment, health, and nursing (Figure 1). While these are the most widely used and accepted...