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Nursing Theorists and Their Work

  • 11th Edition - April 9, 2025
  • Latest edition
  • Authors: Martha Raile Alligood, Sonya R. Hardin
  • Language: English

Understand the thinking of 39 leading nursing theorists in one comprehensive text! Nursing Theorists and Their Work, Eleventh Edition, provides a clear, in-depth look at nursing th… Read more

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Description

Understand the thinking of 39 leading nursing theorists in one comprehensive text! Nursing Theorists and Their Work, Eleventh Edition, provides a clear, in-depth look at nursing theories of historical and international significance. Each chapter presents a key nursing theory or philosophy, showing how systematic theoretical evidence enhances decision making, professionalism, and quality of care. Lead author Martha Raile Alligood is known nationally and internationally for her expertise in nursing theory. A classic in the field of nursing theory, this text uses objective critiques, case studies, and critical thinking activities to bridge the gap between nursing theory and application in the practice of nursing.

Key features

  • NEW! Information on the state of nursing in health care after COVID-19 illustrates how nursing knowledge development continues to evolve, with new theories that address current health care needs for quality nursing care
  • Theorist chapters written by scholars specializing in that theorist’s work - often having worked closely with the theorists — provide the most accurate and complete information possible
  • Case studies at the end of each theorist chapter present the theory in a larger perspective, demonstrating how it can be applied in practice
  • Critical thinking activities at the end of each theorist chapter help you to process the theory presented and apply it to personal and hypothetical nursing practice situations
  • Theory-specific diagrams help you visualize and better understand inherently abstract concepts and their relationships
  • Major Concepts and Definitions boxes outline a theory’s most significant ideas and clarifies vocabulary
  • Brief summary sections offer valuable review for tests and validate comprehension
  • Points for Further Study sections direct you to sources of additional information
  • A diagram in each unit illustrates the level of abstraction of the theoretical knowledge presented

Readership

Students in BSN-level nursing theory and/or theory development courses

Table of contents

UNIT I Evolution of Nursing Theories

1. Introduction to Nursing Theory: Its History and Significance

2. Nursing Theorists of Historical Significance

3. History of Nursing Science

4. Theory Development Process

5. The Structure and Analysis of Specialized Nursing Knowledge

UNIT II Nursing Philosophies

6. Florence Nightingale: Modern Nursing

7. Jean Watson: Watson’s Philosophy and Theory of Transpersonal Caring

8. Marilyn Anne Ray: Theory of Bureaucratic Caring

9. Patricia Benner: Caring, Clinical Wisdom, and Ethics in Nursing Practice

10. Kari Martinsen: Philosophy of Caring

11. Katie Eriksson: Theory of Caritative Caring

UNIT III Nursing Conceptual Models

12. Myra Estrin Levine: The Conservation Model

13. Martha E. Rogers: Unitary Human Beings

14. Dorothea E. Orem: Self-Care Deficit Theory of Nursing

15. Imogene M. King: Conceptual System and Theory of Goal Attainment
Ann E. Fronczek and Patricia Ruth Messmer

16. Betty Neuman: Systems Model
Diane Breckenridge

17. Sister Callista Roy: Adaptation Model
Robin Harris

18. Dorothy Johnson: Behavioral System Model
Bonnie Holaday

UNIT IV Theories and Grand Theories

19. Anne Boykin and Savina O. Schoenhofer: The Theory of Nursing as Caring: A Model for Transforming Practice

20. Afaf Ibrahim Meleis: Transitions Theory

21. Nola J. Pender: Health Promotion Model

22. Madeleine M. Leininger: Theory of Culture Care Diversity and Universality

23. Margaret A. Newman: Health as Expanding Consciousness

24. Rosemarie Rizzo Parse: Humanbecoming

25. C. Erickson, Evelyn M. Tomlin, Mary Ann P. Swain: Modeling and Role-Modeling

26. Gladys L. Husted and James H. Husted: Symphonological Bioethical Theory

UNIT V Middle-Range Theories

27. Ramona T. Mercer: Maternal Role Attainment—Becoming a Mother

28. Merle Mishel: Uncertainty in Illness Theory

29. Pamela G. Reed: Self-Transcendence Theory

30. Carolyn L. Wiener and Marylin J. Dodd: Theory of Illness Trajectory

31. Georgene Gaskill Eakes, Mary Lermann Burke, and Margaret A. Hainsworth: Theory of Chronic Sorrow

32. Phil Barker: The Tidal Model of Mental Health Recovery

33. Katharine Kolcaba: Theory of Comfort

34. Cheryl Tatano Beck: Postpartum Depression Theory

35. Kristen M. Swanson: Theory of Caring

36. Cornelia M. Ruland and Shirley M. Moore: Peaceful End-of-Life Theory


UNIT VI The Future of Nursing Theory

37. State of the Art and Science of Nursing Theory

Review quotes

Review of the previous edition:
“…examines 31 theories focusing on multiple concepts vital to nursing theory…. [C]ohesively compares and contrasts nursing theorists’ work by ensuring that concepts are laid out in a systematic approach…. The editor is the director of a nursing PhD program, is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, and is known nationally and internationally for her expertise in nursing theory. This book focuses on nursing philosophies, models, middle-range theories, and perspectives on the status of the art and science of nursing theory. The chapters have major concepts and definitions sections that assist in the focus of terms,…summaries, case studies, and critical thinking activities [are] available to the learners and educators to further engage with the material,…[and] figures and tables are incorporated seamlessly and assist in the acquisition of knowledge…. [A]ny level of learner will find this book useful.” — ©Doody’s Review Service, 2023, Autumn Leigh Cole, DNP (Winona State University)

Product details

  • Edition: 11
  • Latest edition
  • Published: September 22, 2025
  • Language: English

About the authors

MA

Martha Raile Alligood

Martha Raile Alligood is professor emeritus at East Carolina University College of Nursing in Greenville, NC, where she was the Director of the Nursing PhD program. She is known nationally and internationally for her expertise in nursing theory and she is also the author of another Elsevier title, Nursing Theory: Utilization and Application, 5th edition which is a companion to this title. This title will not be revised due to low sales.
Affiliations and expertise
Professor Emeritus School of Nursing East Carolina University Greenville, North Carolina, USA

SH

Sonya R. Hardin

Dean Sonya R. Hardin works in the School of Nursing at the University of Louisville, USA.
Affiliations and expertise
Dean, School of Nursing, University of Louisville, USA