Components of Theory

This design represents the components or layers of nursing theory. My vision of the relationship of the nursing metapardigm is viewed as big overall ideas of which all other components must have application to. Philosophies are far-reaching and involve broad concepts and statements about beliefs that guide nursing practice. Nursing models and nursing theories are developed from nursing philosophies (Alligood, 2014). Nursing models include the metaparadigms and are still fairly complex and abstract. Grand theories actually overlap somewhat with models and are the corner stone for further theory development (Alligood, 2014). Nursing theories become more focused, less abstract, and easier to directly apply to nursing practice and research. Middle range theories are less abstract and more readily applied to nursing practice and research. The least abstract component of nursing theory is the practice-specific theory, which is used to guide specific practice areas or specific populations of patients (Alligood, 2014).
Reference
Alligood, M. R. (2014). Nursing theory: Utilization & application (5th ed.). Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby Elsevier.
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