Journal of Advanced Nursing, 1987,12, 523-529 A model to guide development and application of multiple nursing theories Linda J. Kristjanson RN BN MN Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, University of Mamtoba, Robyn Tamblyn RN BScN MSc Special Project Coordinator. Nursing Education, St Boniface General Ho.spital and Joseph A. Kuypers BA MA PhD Associate Professor, School of Social Work. University of Manitoba. Winnipeg. Canada Accepted /or puhlicuiiotj 17 September 1986 KRlST]ANSONL.i..TAMELYNR.&KVyPERSi.A.{l9Bl)Journal of Advanced Nursing 12,523-529 A model to guide development and application of multiple nursing theories Over the pasl decade there has been an explosion ofinterest and aetivily in the nursing profession directed toward the development of a theory base for nursing education and practice. Although we support the overall thrust of nursing theory development, we have concerns about its utility, scope and stated purposes. We arc especially sensitive to the plight of the practising nurse who might attempt to use the current nursing theories to guide and explain choices made in daily practice. In this paper we examine current use of the word "theory' and describe problems inherent in nursing's efforts to apply educationally derived conceptual frameworks to nursing practice. We identify a need for the development and use of many theories for nursing and argue that there is a logical need fora 'meta-model* which will guide the use of multiple theories in practice. A model is presented which allows the practising nurse to examine the various theories in terms of their applicability to a given client situation. We believe the model is also useful to nurse educators and researchers who may be attempting to use nursing theories for educational purposes or develop nursing's knowledge base through empirical work. INTRODUCTION Over the pasl decade there has been a veritable explosion ofinterest and activity in the develop- ment of a theory base for both nursing education liiid nursing practice. These efforts, although ;idmittedly incomplete, serve many purposes, not the least of which is to highlight the growing need for nurses to articulate, for themselves, the guiding principles and theoretical foundation of their practice. This paper is designed to contri- bute to this search. Although we applaud the overall thrust of nursing theory development, we also share concerns about its current utility. Correspondence: Linda J. Kristjanson, Assistant Professor. School of Nursing, University ofManitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R.1T2N2. Canada. scope, and stated purposes. We are especially sensitive to the plight ofihe practising nurse who might attempt to take seriously the promise that theory about, and of. nursing will help guide and rationalize choices made in day-to-day pro- fessional life. This paper will discuss some ofthe distinctions between theories and models and the confusion over theories o/'nursing and theories for nursing. Problems arise when practitioners must use a single model approach. To help allevi- ate these problems the authors suggest the adap- tation for nursing of a new 'meta-model' used in social work (Kuypers 1986). We describe this meta-model and show how it can be applied in nursing for the benefit of patients. We will argue the following points.