Author: Glossary

A theory that describes, explains, or predicts a phenomenon of interest to nurses and nursing educators.  

An individual who develops theories regarding the purpose, meaning, structure, and functions of the profession and discipline of nursing.  

A nurse responsible for an individual practice area, reporting to the nursing director or vice president. This position is also commonly seen in nursing home settings, where it may be called house supervisor.  

An individual enrolled in a school of nursing.  

The criteria established by professional nursing organizations that describe peer expectations for safe, competent, ethical performance of professional responsibilities. Documents such as the American Nurses’ Association Standards of Clinical Practice and Standards of Professional Performance describe general behaviors expected of all professional nurses. Criteria established by specialty nursing organizations, such as the Standards for the…

A formal, systematic, and rigorous process of inquiry used by nurses to generate and test the concepts and propositions that constitute middle range nursing theories, which are derived from or linked with a conceptual model of nursing. The theories include: Grand: Health belief model; Transactional model of stress and coping; Life process interactive person-environment model;…

A specific written procedure that prescribes nursing actions in a given situation. Health agencies and physicians establish protocols to ensure consistency and quality of care. A protocol may describe mandatory nursing assessments, behaviors, and documentation for establishing and maintaining invasive appliances; methods of administering specific drugs; special care modalities for patients with certain disorders; other…

A standardized set of data identifying essential, common, and core data elements collected in all settings for any patients/clients receiving nursing care. They include the three broad elements of: nursing care, patient or client demographics, and service.  

The use of computer science, information science, and nursing science to manage, process, and analyze nursing data, information, and knowledge to support the practice of nursing and the delivery of patient care.  

The first step of the assessment stage of the nursing process that leads to development of a nursing care plan. Valuable information can be obtained from this history, and reactions to previous hospitalization can be recorded and utilized in managing the patient’s care during the current stay.