Abstract
A nurse's philosophical outlook influences his or her daily nursing practice. This outlook includes paradigms and theories, which reflect a nurse's values, and exert significant influence over nursing practice. There are three major paradigms within the nursing profession: empiricism, interpretive, and critical social theory. Each has unique tenets, and contributes to the profession and discipline of nursing in a different way. Pragmatism is also an important philosophical consideration. Pragmatism furthers the discussion about the best approach to take in nursing practice. The purpose of this article is to describe each major nursing paradigm, demonstrate the connection between nursing paradigms and nursing theory, and use case examples to illuminate the contributions of pragmatism to nursing practice.
Sigma Membership
Phi Gamma (Virtual)
Type
Article
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Theory, Nursing Philosophy, Paradigm, Research
Recommended Citation
Jackson, Jennifer Irene, "Nursing paradigms and theories: A primer" (2024). General Submissions: Nursing as Profession. 4.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/gen_sub_np/4
Rights Holder
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Review Type
Peer-review: Single Blind
Acquisition
Self-submission
Full Text of Presentation
wf_yes
Description
This article is an introduction to theories and paradigms in nursing. Connections are made to research and evidence-informed practice.