NU601

This course focuses on the historical development of theory from the perspective of nursing science. Nursing theory and its relationship to research and evidenced-based nursing practice, as well as approaches to theory construction are explored. Students will analyze selected concepts, the building blocks of theories. Students will critique specific nursing theories in relation to their own belief systems, examining the concepts of the major paradigms within the discipline of nursing as well as other human science disciplines. Early "grand nursing theories" and "mid-range nursing theories" more recently developed will be evaluated. Emphasis will be on understanding individual nursing theories and borrowed theories from other disciplines and their application to nursing practice, nursing research, nursing leadership, and nursing education.