Introduction
Theories are constructed and developed by nursing theorists to describe and explain phenomena in nursing. Nursing science and development of the profession of nursing relies on this process to expand the understanding of what nursing is and what nursing does. The purpose of this competency assessment is to explore how a theorist explains their philosophy and thoughts and then develops their theory based on testing and use in practice. An evaluation of the theory will make clear its usefulness to nursing practice, leadership, and/or education.
In this assessment, you are going to explore how a nurse theorist of your choice created their theory. You will become the theorist immersing yourself in the writings from the earliest mentioned to the most current literature. Writing in the voice of the theorist (taking on the persona of the theorist), you will create the theory through the following four stages.
In the first stage, theorizing occurs. This is where you, as the theorist, identify the concepts of what nursing is and is not. Perhaps you questioned what ideas were guiding those in nursing practice and then started to question your role. You started asking yourself, “Where am I in nursing, and where the profession is going? Is there some overarching understanding that guides the professional in their practice?” This is where you recognize that a theory is needed.
In the second stage, syntax is developed. This is where you will define the terms, explain relationships between the terms, and examine their expansion. Syntax development is an evolution. Consider, for example, Jean Watson. She starts by defining the word “caring.” Within the last several years, she has refined her terminology changing the term caring to caritas and identified the relationships between terms. This demonstrates a growth and maturation from decades of research she and other scholars did to produce the theory of caring.
The third stage is theory testing. Here, scholars and researchers consider whether this theory helps answer questions that arise in nursing. This is where your theory is examined and tested in research studies. For example, graduate nursing students request to use the tool you developed while testing your theory in an area of nursing.
The fourth and last stage is evaluation. This is where the theory is used in practice with the goal of improving healthcare. It is evidenced in the development of policies, procedures and best practice standards that have evolved from theory implementation.
Assessment Details
Begin your paper with an introductory paragraph that describes why you chose this theorist. First person voice (I, me, etc.) is acceptable in this paper.
Write in the first person voice (I, me, our, etc.) as the theorist. For example: I, Dr. Jean Watson, found that caring was a core concept of how I viewed nursing. To me, caring is the essence of nursing.
As the theorist, use the four stages (theorizing, syntax, theory testing, and evaluation) to explain how your theory was developed and used in nursing.
In the first (theorizing) stage, provide the historical context that influenced the theorist’s thinking.
In the second (syntax) stage, describe the development of the concepts and statements.
In the third (theory testing), provide two (2) examples of research examining the theory.
In the fourth (evaluation), provide three (3) examples of how the theory has been used in practice and provide a brief evaluation of the theory.
Conclude your paper in either the voice of the theorist or your own voice with a summary of the important points.
Consult the Grading Rubric for this Assignment found in the course resources for further detailed expectations.