Reviewer: Sonja J Meiers, PhD, MS, PHN (Winona State University)
Description: This is the sixth edition of a comprehensive nursing theory book for use by faculty, researchers, clinicians, and graduate students. It is supplemented by electronic resources available on the accompanying website. Key, well-chosen, journal articles for each chapter are included as online and downloadable resources for students. Instructor resources include the electronic text version, case studies, and images.
Purpose: The purpose is to comprehensively and succinctly "raise the consciousness" of readers to examine the historical and future power of nursing theories for making a difference in the lives of individuals, families, and systems for whom nurses are entrusted to care. A specific new objective of this edition is to address the need to focus on development of theoretical approaches that support exemplary access to "quality health care for all, including the most vulnerable populations." This is a particularly worthy objective given the state of healthcare worldwide and the need for nurses to declare their value in every arena into which they are integrated. Not to do so, according to the author, is to abdicate our responsibility for the health and well-being of all people. I appreciate the print version of the book because there are rich resources at a glance, which enhances readers' understanding of the historical trajectory of nursing theory development and appreciation of theoretical diversity. Online resources include journal articles presented as online student resources that can nicely serve as supplemental readings for any nursing theory course. It would be useful to have application case studies available for students, which would facilitate direct applicability.
Audience: Intended for faculty, clinicians, researchers, graduate students, and policy makers in nursing, the book addresses all theories regardless of specialty across the profession. One shortcoming is the lack of attention to families or groups as recipients of care. This may be an opportunity for future editions. In general, the book broadly exposes readers to what is known about theories developed and being developed to support patient care. The author and major contributor are certainly credible authorities on the subject.
Features: The book covers the history and place of theory development within the sciences, specifically within nursing science. Specifics of knowledge development and development of nursing scholars are also reviewed. The book presents the elements of knowledge development (e.g. philosophies, concepts, assumptions, propositions, etc.); critiques and evaluations of usefulness of nursing theories for practice, research, and education; and exemplars of historic and emerging theoretical approaches. Of particular interest are chapter 17, "Developing Situation-Specific Theories," and chapter 19, "Fifth-Generation Theories: Passion for Advancing Theory," which offer new directions for thinking about and engaging in the interprofessional world within which nurses theorize, research, practice, and advocate for the needs of patients. Each chapter can stand alone, and is complementary, not redundant, to other chapters.
Assessment: This is the most exemplary nursing theory title available and it is particularly useful because it is a treasure trove of classic and emerging theorists and their work. The breadth, comprehensiveness, and historical grounding make this a must-have title that is a relevant reference for emerging nursing theorists and researchers, faculty, graduate students, and policy makers. It can also be used to assure that emerging clinical scholars develop evidence-based interventions that are theory based and, therefore, have the greatest chance for effectiveness. It challenges readers to entertain new possibilities for nursing now and in the future, yet cautions emerging fifth-generation theorists to consider threats to sustainable theory development presented by contemporary factors. The changes in this edition reflect issues of modernity and contribute to development of the discipline.