| Nursing Theorist | Theory Developed |
|---|---|
| Florence Nightingale | Modern Nursing/Environmental Theory |
| Jean Watson | Watson’s Philosophy and Theory of Transpersonal Caring |
| Marilyn Anne Ray | Theory of Bureaucratic Caring |
| Patricia Benner | Caring, Clinical Wisdom, and Ethics in Nursing Practice |
| Kari Martinsen | Philosophy of Caring |
| Katie Erikkson | Theory of Caritative Caring |
| Myra Estrin Levine | The Conservation Model |
| Martha E. Rogers | Unitary Human Beings |
| Dorothea E. Orem | Self-Care Deficit Theory of Nursing |
| Imogene M. King | Conceptual System and Theory of Goal Attainment |
| Betty Neuman | Systems Model |
| Sister Callista Roy | Adaptation Model |
| Dorothy Johnson | Behavioral System Model |
| Anne Boykin Savina O. Schoenhofer | The Theory of Nursing as Caring: A Model for Transforming Practice |
| Afaf Ibrahim Meleis | Transitions Theory |
| Nola J. Pender | Health Promotion Model |
| Madeleine M. Lininger | Theory of Culture Care Diversity and Universality |
| Margaret A. Newman | Health as Expanding Consciousness |
| Rosemarie Rizzo Parse | Humanbecoming |
| Helen C. Erickson Evelyn M. Tomlin Mary Ann P. Swain | Modeling and Role-Modeling |
| Gladys L. Husted James H. Husted | Symphonological Bioethical Theory |
| Ramona T. Mercer | Maternal Role Attainment: Becoming a mother |
| Merle Mishel | Uncertainty in Illness Theory |
| Pamela G. Reed | Self-Transcendence Theory |
| Carolyn L. Wiener Marylin J. Dodd | Theory of Illness Trajectory |
| Georgene Gaskill Eakes Mary Lermann Burke Margaret A. Hainsworth | Theory of Chronic Sorrow |
| Phil Barker | The 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 Shirley M. Moore | Peaceful End-of-Life Theory |
Nursing theory is a major theme in modern nursing, being the basis of nursing practice, literature, and education around the world. The history of professional nursing began with Florence Nightingale. She was the main proponent in the mid-1800s to recognize the unique focus of nursing and clarified a distinction between nursing knowledge and medical knowledge. The history of nursing theory is summarized as:
| Era | Major Question | Emphasis |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum Era | What curriculum content should student nurses study to be nurses? | The courses included in nursing programs |
| Research Era | What is the focus for nursing research? | The role of nurses and what to research |
| Graduate Education | What knowledge is needed for the practice of nursing? | Carving out an advanced role and basis for nursing practice |
| Theory Era | How do these frameworks guide research and practice? | The numerous views of how to practice nursing |
| Theory Utilization Era | What new theories are needed to produce evidence for quality care? | Nursing theory guides research, practice, education, and administration |
Environmental Theory
Florence Nightingale, the Lady of the Lamp