Foundational Theorists
1. Florence Nightingale – Environmental Theory

Case Example: A nurse improves recovery rates in a rural clinic by ensuring proper ventilation, clean water, and sanitation.

Modern Application: Infection control protocols in hospitals, especially during COVID‑19, reflect Nightingale’s emphasis on environment.

2. Hildegard Peplau – Interpersonal Relations Theory

Case Example: A psychiatric nurse builds trust with a patient through structured communication phases.

Modern Application: Used in mental health nursing and therapeutic communication training.

3. Virginia Henderson – Need Theory

Case Example: A nurse helps a stroke patient relearn feeding and mobility to regain independence.

Modern Application: Guides rehabilitation nursing and patient self‑care programs.

4. Dorothea Orem – Self‑Care Deficit Theory

Case Example: A diabetic patient receives nursing support to manage insulin injections until self‑sufficient.

Modern Application: Chronic illness management and patient education programs.

5. Sister Callista Roy – Adaptation Model

Case Example: A cancer patient adapts psychologically and physically to chemotherapy side effects.

Modern Application: Stress management and resilience training in oncology nursing.

6. Jean Watson – Theory of Human Caring

Case Example: A nurse provides spiritual support to a terminally ill patient, focusing on dignity.

Modern Application: Palliative care and holistic nursing practices.

7. Madeleine Leininger – Transcultural Nursing Theory

Case Example: A nurse adapts dietary recommendations for a Muslim patient observing Ramadan.

Modern Application: Cultural competence training in global health care.

8. Betty Neuman – Systems Model

Case Example: A nurse helps a patient manage stressors (family conflict, illness, finances) to maintain stability.

Modern Application: Stress reduction programs and holistic patient assessments.

9. Imogene King – Goal Attainment Theory

Case Example: Nurse and patient set a goal to reduce blood pressure through diet and exercise.

Modern Application: Collaborative care planning in chronic disease management.

10. Martha Rogers – Science of Unitary Human Beings

Case Example: A nurse uses therapeutic touch to promote healing in a patient with chronic pain.

Modern Application: Alternative therapies and integrative medicine.

Middle‑Range & Practice Theories
11. Patricia Benner – Novice to Expert Theory

Case Example: A new nurse progresses from novice to expert through mentorship and experience.

Modern Application: Nursing education and competency frameworks.

12. Katharine Kolcaba – Comfort Theory

Case Example: A nurse provides warm blankets and emotional support to a post‑surgery patient.

Modern Application: Pain management and patient satisfaction initiatives.

13. Nola Pender – Health Promotion Model

Case Example: A nurse designs a wellness program encouraging exercise and healthy eating.

Modern Application: Preventive health campaigns and community nursing.

14. Ida Jean Orlando – Nursing Process Theory

Case Example: A nurse identifies patient anxiety and adjusts care plan accordingly.

Modern Application: Clinical decision‑making models in hospitals.

15. Ernestine Wiedenbach – Helping Art of Clinical Nursing

Case Example: A nurse helps a patient cope with grief after loss.

Modern Application: Counseling and supportive care in nursing.

16. Faye Abdellah – 21 Nursing Problems Theory

Case Example: A nurse addresses multiple patient problems systematically (nutrition, mobility, hygiene).

Modern Application: Holistic patient assessments in nursing curricula.

17. Lydia Hall – Care, Cure, Core Theory

Case Example: A nurse balances medical treatment with emotional support.

Modern Application: Integrated care models in hospitals.

18. Joyce Travelbee – Human‑to‑Human Relationship Model

Case Example: A nurse uses empathy to connect with a depressed patient.

Modern Application: Mental health nursing and therapeutic alliances.

19. Margaret Newman – Health as Expanding Consciousness

Case Example: A patient with chronic illness finds meaning in their condition.

Modern Application: Nursing in palliative and spiritual care.

20. Rosemarie Parse – Human Becoming Theory

Case Example: A nurse supports a patient’s choices in end‑of‑life care.

Modern Application: Patient autonomy and dignity in care.

Systems & Adaptation Theories
21. Dorothy Johnson – Behavioral System Model

Case Example: A nurse helps a child with ADHD regulate behavior.

Modern Application: Pediatric behavioral interventions.

22. Myra Levine – Conservation Model

Case Example: A nurse conserves patient energy during recovery from surgery.

Modern Application: Rehabilitation and energy management in nursing.

23. Anne Boykin & Savina Schoenhofer – Nursing as Caring Theory

Case Example: A nurse demonstrates compassion in routine tasks.

Modern Application: Nursing identity and professional values.

24. Barbara Dossey – Integral Nursing Theory

Case Example: A nurse integrates physical, emotional, and spiritual care.

Modern Application: Holistic nursing and integrative medicine.

25. Joanne Duffy – Quality‑Caring Model

Case Example: A nurse builds relationships to improve patient satisfaction.

Modern Application: Patient‑centered care initiatives.

Contemporary & Specialized Theories
26. Afaf Meleis – Transitions Theory

Case Example: A nurse supports a patient transitioning from hospital to home care.

Modern Application: Discharge planning and transitional care.

27. Merle Mishel – Uncertainty in Illness Theory

Case Example: A patient with cancer copes with uncertainty about prognosis.

Modern Application: Counseling and support groups.

28. Kristen Swanson – Caring Theory

Case Example: A nurse reassures a mother after neonatal loss.

Modern Application: Bereavement care and maternal nursing.

29. Helen Erickson – Modeling and Role‑Modeling Theory

Case Example: A nurse adapts care to patient worldview.

Modern Application: Personalized care plans.

30. Joanne Riehl‑Sisca – Interaction Model of Client Health Behavior

Case Example: A nurse encourages healthy behaviors through patient interaction.

Modern Application: Health promotion and patient education.

Additional Influential Theories
31. Florence Wald – Hospice and Palliative Care Model

Case Example: A nurse provides comfort to terminally ill patients.

Modern Application: Hospice care programs.

32. Margaret Campbell – End‑of‑Life Nursing Theory

Case Example: A nurse supports family during patient’s final hours.

Modern Application: End‑of‑life care standards.

33. Pamela Reed – Self‑Transcendence Theory

Case Example: A patient finds meaning in illness through spirituality.

Modern Application: Spiritual care in nursing.

34. Cheryl Beck – Postpartum Depression Theory

Case Example: A nurse screens mothers for postpartum depression.

Modern Application: Maternal mental health programs.

35. Carolyn Weiner & Marylin Dodd – Symptom Management Theory

Case Example: A nurse manages chemotherapy side effects.

Modern Application: Oncology nursing protocols.

36. E. Zerwekh – Nursing Leadership Theory

Case Example: A nurse leader motivates staff during crisis.

Modern Application: Leadership training in nursing.

37. Joan Riehl – Communication Theory in Nursing

Case Example: A nurse improves patient outcomes through effective communication.

Modern Application: Patient safety and teamwork.

38. Helen Yura & Mary Walsh – Nursing Process Framework

Case Example: A nurse uses assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation.

Modern Application: Standard nursing process worldwide.

39. Barbara Carper – Fundamental Patterns of Knowing in Nursing

Case Example: A nurse integrates empirical, ethical, personal, and aesthetic knowledge.

Modern Application: Nursing education and reflective practice.

40. Jacqueline Fawcett – Metaparadigm of Nursing

Case Example: A nurse considers person, health, environment, nursing in care.

Modern Application: Theoretical foundation of nursing curricula.

41. Anne Casey – Child‑Centered Nursing Model

Case Example: A nurse prioritizes child’s needs in pediatric care.

Modern Application: Pediatric nursing standards.

42. Sarah E. Allison – Nursing Ethics Theory

Case Example: A nurse resolves ethical dilemmas in patient care.

Modern Application: Ethics committees in hospitals.

43. Kathleen Dracup – Cardiac Nursing Theory

Case Example: A nurse educates patients post‑heart surgery.

Modern Application: Cardiac rehabilitation programs.

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