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Library Resources for MN502

Nursing Theory Assignment Help

In this section, you will find suggestions for how to search in the library for resources about a nursing theory in the Library.

How to Search for a Nursing Theory in the Library

First you would need to pick out a mid-range theory and a grand nursing theory. Having chosen those will make searching in the library easier. There should be some listed in your textbook. 

First you would need to pick out a mid-range theory and a grand nursing theory. Having chosen those will make searching in the library easier. There should be some listed in your textbook. 

Here is a partial list to help you get started:

Grand theory

Florence Nightingale:  Environmental Theory

Virginia Henderson: Nursing Need Theory

Faye Glenn Abdellah: 21 Nursing Problems Theory

Joyce Travelbee: Human-to-Human Relationship Model

Jean Watson: Theory of Human Caring

Myra Estrin Levine: Conservation Model for Nursing

Martha Rogers: Theory of Unitary Human Beings

Margaret Newman: Health as Expanding Consciousness

Dorothea E. Orem: Self-Care Theory

Betty Neuman: Neuman’s Systems Model  

Sister Callista Roy: Adaptation Model of Nursing

Margaret A. Newman: Health as Expanding Consciousness

Rosemarie Rizzo Parse: Human Becoming Theory

Helen C. Erickson, Evelyn M. Tomlin, and Mary Ann P. Swain: Modeling and Role-Modeling

Mid-Range theory

Hildegard Peplau's Interpersonal Relations Theory

Kathryn E. Barnard: Child Health Assessment Model

Ida Jean Orlando: Nursing Process Theory 

Marilyn Anne Ray: Theory of Bureaucratic Caring

Imogene M. King: Theory of Goal Attainment

Dorothy E. Johnson: Behavioral Systems Model

Afaf Ibrahim Meleis: Transitions Theory

Nola Pender: Health Promotion Model 

Madeleine M. Leininger: Transcultural Nursing Theory

Ramona T. Mercer: Maternal Role Attainment—Becoming a Mother

Merle H. Mishel: Uncertainty in Illness Theory

Pamela G. Reed: Self-Transcendence Theory

Carolyn L. Wiener and Marylin J. Dodd: Theory of Illness Trajectory

Georgene Gaskill Eakes, Mary Lermann Burke, and Margaret A. Hainsworth: Theory of Chronic Sorrow

Phil Barker: Barker’s Tidal Model of Mental Health Recovery

Katharine Kolcaba: Theory of Comfort

Cheryl Tatano Beck: Postpartum Depression Theory

Kristen M. Swanson: Theory of Caring

Cornelia M. Ruland and Shirley M. Moore: Peaceful End-of-Life Theory 

Example Searches

For this example, Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring will be used.  You can simply search for the theory, like this:

  • In the large search box on the "Find" page of this guide or the Library's main page, called EBSCO Discovery, type:  theory of human caring
  • Click on Search
Look for articles that have keywords in the title and/or articles that have keywords in the subjects section of the article.  EBSCO Discovery will highlight where your search words match in the article's citation and record.  For the full abstract, click the article's title. For the full text, use the Access button. 
For some theories, you may also see a "Research Starter." These are encyclopedia entries explaining what the theory is and may be useful for background information on the theory that will help you understand the peer reviewed research and other professional literature that comes up. The following screenshot displays what the search results look like for a search for theory of human caring in EBSCO Discovery. 
Search results in EBSCO Discovery
Don't forget to take a look at the article's references!  They may have used resources that would be helpful for your assignment.  You can look for them in the library.  If we don't have access to the item, the search results may bring up other items that could be helpful.
Example citations from an article. A highlighted item is title Human Care Science: A theory of Nursing" and another "Nursing: Human Science and Human care."
If you do not find anything related to the theory you are looking for, then put the words into quotation marks.  
Like this: "theory of human caring"
By putting the words into quotation marks, they are more likely to be searched for together.
To look to see what we have in the library on theory written by the theorist, try the following search:
  • Either within EBSCO Discovery or on the Library homepage, there is a link labeled Advanced Search.  Click on that link.
  • In the top search box, type the name of the theory you are searching.   "theory of human caring"
  • In the middle search box, type the name of the theorist.  jean watson (Try it without quotes first)
  • Then, change the middle drop down box so that the AU Author appears.  By doing that, the author field will be searched and only authors by that name will appear in the results list.
  • Click on Search.
Advanced Search setup
 

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