Description

Theoretical Basis for Nursing is a textbook that introduces nursing theory and shows how theory supports practice, research and education. This page offers the 3rd Edition, by Melanie McEwen and Evelyn M. Wills, published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins in 2011 (508 pages in print). It is mainly used in graduate nursing programmes and in courses on the foundations of nursing knowledge. Its role is to help nurses understand where theories come from and how to put them to work.

Who Theoretical Basis for Nursing is for

• Graduate nursing students (MSN, DNP, PhD) in a nursing theory or philosophy of science course.
• Undergraduate students who need a deeper reference than the theory chapter of their fundamentals textbook.
• Nurse researchers choosing a theoretical framework for a study or thesis.
• Nurse educators who teach theory-based practice.

Before buying, check your syllabus: many programmes now set a more recent edition. Our guide to nursing textbooks for students explains how to match books to your course.

What the book covers

Theoretical Basis for Nursing is known for presenting nursing theory in a structured, student-friendly way. It covers the foundations of theory and concept development, the major nursing theories, including grand and middle-range theories, theories from other disciplines that nursing commonly draws on, and the application of theory in practice, research and education.

The exact chapter structure of the 3rd Edition can be checked in the online FlipBook preview on this page. Compare it with your reading list before you decide.

About the 3rd Edition

This page offers the 3rd Edition, published in 2011. This is not the latest edition: several later editions of Theoretical Basis for Nursing have since been published. The 3rd Edition remains useful for learning the core theories, which do not change from one edition to the next, but if your course specifies a newer edition, page numbers, chapters and examples may differ, so use the edition your instructor requires.

How to study nursing theory

1. Build a theory comparison table. For each theorist, note the main concepts, the view of person, health, environment and nursing, and one practical application.
2. Apply one theory to a real patient. Use a case from placement and explain how a chosen theory would guide your assessment and care.
3. Find theory in published research. Search PubMed for studies that name a nursing theory as their framework and see how authors use it.
4. Test yourself on definitions. Theory courses rely on precise terms such as concept, construct, model and proposition; turn them into flashcards and review them weekly.

For assignments that require a theoretical framework and a literature search, our guide on how to write a medical literature review will help.

Format, preview and access

Searching a PDF of Theoretical Basis for Nursing for a theorist’s name is faster than flipping through the index. See PDF vs EPUB for medical textbooks.

Complementary nursing titles

• Essentials of Nursing Research, 10th Edition: to see how theory frames research questions and studies.
• Resource Manual for Nursing Research, 10th Edition: practice exercises for graduate research courses.
• Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 4th Edition: how the profession defines its practice today.
• Fundamentals of Nursing: The Art and Science of Person-Centered Care, 10th Edition: core nursing concepts that theory builds on.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the latest edition of Theoretical Basis for Nursing?

No. This is the 3rd Edition from 2011. Newer editions exist, so check which one your course requires.

Who are the authors?

Melanie McEwen and Evelyn M. Wills. The book was published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Can I see the table of contents?

Yes. Use the online FlipBook preview on this page.

How do I receive the eBook?

Access is given after payment confirmation; nothing is shipped. Read our FAQ for more.