40+ Theories in Nursing Practice with Case Examples & Modern Applications
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.