Grand Theorist Report: Many Grand Nursing Theories

Grand Theorist Report There are many grand nursing theories that have helped to set the foundation for the nursing profession

There are many grand nursing theories that have helped to set the foundation for the nursing profession. Faye Abdellah was one of the first pioneers for shaping nursing as a profession using her framework for Patient-Centered Approaches to Nursing. Abdellah’s theory is easy to apply to nursing practice in a healthcare institution because her framework is readable and clear (McEwen & Wills, 2014). In addition, another rationale for implementing her theory into practice at a healthcare institution is the fact that it clearly addresses the four metaparadigms—person, environment, health, and nursing.

In this paper, we will discuss the theorist Faye Abdellah, her theory on Patient-Centered Approaches to Nursing, and how this theory can be integrated into practice at a healthcare institution.

Paper For Above instruction

Description of Theorist

Faye Abdellah was born in New York City on March 13, 1919. Abdellah decided at a very young age she wanted to pursue a career in nursing. She received her original certification in nursing from Fitkin Memorial Hospital. She continued her study of nursing at Columbia University, earning her BA in Nursing along with her doctorate degree, which focused on psychology and education (Dewey, 2016).

Abdellah was highly influential in the nursing profession. She served as the Chief Nursing Officer and Deputy United States Surgeon General until 1993, attaining the rank of Rear Admiral. She retired in 2000 from her last position as Dean of the Graduate School of Nursing at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (McEwen & Wills, 2014). Throughout her career, Abdellah received numerous academic honors recognizing her contributions to nursing. Her main focus was to reshape nursing by encouraging nurses to look beyond physical illnesses or diagnoses to see patients as whole persons with complex emotional and psychological needs (Dewey, 2016).

Category of Theory

Abdellah’s Patient-Centered Approaches to Nursing is considered a grand nursing theory grounded in human needs. She believed that patients should be viewed as individuals with unique needs requiring personalized care from nurses. Her theory was based on her clinical practice, making it highly applicable. According to McEwen & Wills (2014), her theory is relevant in both hospital and community settings.

Assumptions Underlying the Theory

Initially, Abdellah did not state explicit assumptions of her theory; however, she later added six assumptions related to: (1) changes impacting nursing practice, (2) the influence of social issues such as poverty and racism on health, (3) evolution of nursing education, (4) ongoing professional development, (5) development of nursing leadership, and (6) the holistic nature of patient care (McEwen & Wills, 2014). The core metaparadigms—person, environment, health, and nursing—are central to her framework.

Metaparadigms

• Person: Defined as the patient needing care. Abdellah viewed the person as a complex individual with physiological, emotional, social, and developmental needs that require individualized nursing care (McEwen & Wills, 2014).
• Environment: Encompasses not only the physical surroundings but also external factors such as social determinants, including poverty, racism, and pollution, which influence health (McEwen & Wills, 2014).
• Health: Seen as a state of well-being that can be improved by identifying and addressing problems affecting the patient’s health status (McEwen & Wills, 2014).
• Nursing: Considered a service that helps individuals and families cope with health needs by identifying nursing problems and working collaboratively to meet those needs (McEwen & Wills, 2014).

Major Concepts of the Theory

Abdellah’s theory involves ten steps for nurses to identify and develop treatment plans based on 21 nursing problems. These problems address essential aspects such as hygiene, physiological responses, nutrition, activity, safety, sensory function, communication, and social issues. Examples include maintaining hygiene and comfort, recognizing physiological responses, maintaining normal body functions, promoting safety, and development of interpersonal relationships. It is crucial for nurses to be familiar with these problems to effectively formulate individualized care plans (McEwen & Wills, 2014).

The ten steps involve understanding patients’ needs, defining relevant information, developing generalizations, identifying therapeutic plans, validating conclusions, observing responses, evaluating outcomes, and collaborating with patients and families to refine care plans (McEwen & Wills, 2014). This systematic process supports nurses in delivering comprehensive, personalized care rooted in understanding each patient's specific needs and circumstances.

Major Propositions

The central proposition of Abdellah’s theory emphasizes viewing patients as holistic human beings, not merely as diagnoses. Her focus on patient-centered care supports the idea that individualized attention promotes better health outcomes. The theory is testable through patient satisfaction and quality of nursing care measures. It advocates for nurses’ active role in problem-solving and collaborative care to enhance patient well-being (McEwen & Wills, 2014).

Use and Implementation

Historically, Abdellah’s theory has been utilized in nursing education to structure curricula around patient needs and develop classifications of nursing skills. Research applications include exploration of patient-centered approaches, evolution of nursing practice, policy development, and nursing workforce preparation (McEwen & Wills, 2014). Its practical relevance is evident in fostering holistic, individualized care and guiding nursing assessments and interventions.

Action Plan for Practice Integration

Implementing Abdellah’s theory in healthcare settings involves establishing a structured approach centered on patient needs. A recommended action plan includes forming a dedicated team to analyze current patient satisfaction data, staff competency, and readmission rates. Training programs based on Abdellah’s 21 nursing problems and the ten-step problem-solving approach can be developed to enhance nurses’ skills in holistic assessment and individualized care planning (McEwen & Wills, 2014).

The Person-Centered Nursing (PCN) Framework by McCormack and McCance can serve as a practical guide. The framework’s four stages—prerequisites, care environment, person-centered process, and outcomes—align with Abdellah’s emphasis on holistic and individualized care. Educational initiatives such as workshops, role-playing, and case studies can foster staff understanding and implementation of person-centered principles (McCance et al., 2011).

Evaluation of implementation success involves continuous monitoring of patient satisfaction, readmission rates, and staff feedback through surveys and performance metrics at six-month and yearly intervals. Regular reinforcement through ongoing education, incorporating patient stories, and feedback loops ensures the sustained integration of Abdellah’s principles into clinical practice. Leadership must support and model holistic, patient-centered care to embed these concepts into organizational culture (McCance et al., 2011).

High-quality, patient-centered care reduces hospital readmissions, enhances patient satisfaction, and improves health outcomes, which are increasingly critical amid rising healthcare costs. Adopting Abdellah’s theory can transform practices by promoting comprehensive assessments, individualized care plans, and collaborative patient engagement—ultimately advancing nursing practice and improving overall healthcare delivery (Santana et al., 2017).

References

• Dewey, J. P. (2016). Faye Abdellah. Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://search.ebscohost.com
• McCance, T., McCormack, B., & Dewing, J. (2011). An exploration of person-centeredness in practice. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 16.
• McEwen, M., & Willis, E. M. (2014). Theoretical Basis for Nursing (4th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
• Santana, M. J., Manalili, K., Jolley, R. J., Zelinsky, S., Quan, H., & Lu, M. (2017). How to practice person-centred care: A conceptual framework. Health Expectations, 20(2), 431-437.