MIDDLE-RANGE THEORIES AND NURSING PRACTICE ISSUES
There are several different types of theories in nursing. Grand theories look at nursing from a broad perspective of human needs. In contrast, middle-range theories are narrower in focus, and look at specific aspects of the nursing profession. Due to their narrower scope, middle-range theories are more applicable for use in actual nursing practice.
High level middle-range theories can be quite complex (for example, Benner’s “Novice to Expert Theory” and Leininger’s “Theory of Culture Care Diversity and Universality”). Less complex middle-range theories include Mishel’s “Uncertainty in Illness Theory,” Kolcaba’s “Comfort Theory,” and Lenz and Pugh’s “Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms.” Some middle-range theories are even more specifically focused. For example, Beck’s “Postpartum Depression Theory” or Eakes et al.’s “Theory of Chronic Sorrow.”
For this Discussion, you will identify a practice or organization issue of importance to you. Then, you select two middle-range theories and apply them to address the practice or organization issue.
Note: The practice issue you select will also inform your work in Week 3 (and can potentially be utilized throughout the remainder of this course).
TO PREPARE
• Reflect on your nursing practice to identify issues of particular interest or concern to you and/or your organization.
• Select one practice or organization issue on which to focus for this Discussion.
• Review the Learning Resources for this week, focusing on specific middle-range theories that may apply to the practice or organization issue that you selected.
• Select two middle-range theories that you believe are relevant and valuable in addressing the practice or organization issue you selected.
BY DAY 3 OF WEEK 2
Post the following:
• Identify the practice or organization issue you selected. Explain why you chose it.
• Describe the two middle-range theories that you selected. Explain why you chose them.
• Explain how you would apply each middle-range theory to the practice or organization issue. Be specific and provide examples.
Note: Your posts should be substantial (500 words minimum), supported with scholarly evidence from your research and/or the Learning Resources, and properly cited using APA Style. Personal anecdotes are acceptable as part of a meaningful post but cannot stand alone as the entire post.
Use 3 of these resources
• McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2022). Theoretical basis for nursing (6th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
o Chapter 10, “Introduction to Middle Range Nursing Theories” (pp. 213–229)
o Chapter 11, “Overview of Selected Middle Range Nursing Theories” (pp. 230–260)
o Chapter 19, “Application of Theory in Nursing Practice” (pp. 448–466)
o Chapter 21, “Application of Theory in Nursing Administration and Management (pp. 491–518)
• Fawcett, J. (2005). Middle-range nursing theories are necessary for the advancement of the disciplineLinks to an external site.. Aquichan, 5(1), 32–43.
Note: This resource is seminal to the field.
• Iovino, P., Vellone, E., Cedrone, N., & Riegel, B. (2023). A middle-range theory of social isolation in chronic illnessLinks to an external site.. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(6), Article 4940. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20064940
• Limbo, R., & Pridham, K. F. (2023). Applying the theory of guided participation to clinical practiceLinks to an external site.. Advances in Nursing Science, 47(2), E41–E57. https://doi.org/10.1097/ans.0000000000000485
• Schulman-Green, D., Feder, S. L., David, D., Rada, L., Tesfai, D., & Grey, M. (2023). A middle range theory of self-and family management of chronic illnessLinks to an external site.. Nursing Outlook, 71(3), Article 101985. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2023.101985