Integration of grand and middle range nursing theories into clinical practice

Abstract

Theory-based nursing is the application of various theories, principles, and models from nursing science and the biologic, behavioral, medical, and social disciplines to clinical nursing practice. Regardless of the appreciation of the importance of theory in nursing, there is an apparent gap between theory and practice. Theories may be developed by and for nurses that are grand (broad scope), middle range (narrow in scope), or situation-specific (limited in scope) nursing theories. Nurses should promote and hold theory-based practice as the core of nursing to enhance the knowledge base that supports practice and bridges the theory–practice gap. We often observe nurses providing only technical care and ignoring holistic client care that is biopsychosocial care. The purpose of this paper is to bridge the gap between theories by applying several grand and middle range nursing theories into clinical practice so as to provide holistic nursing approach.