Concept analysis is an established genre of inquiry in nursing, introduced in the 1970s. Currently, over 100 concept studies are published annually, yet the methods used within this field have rarely been questioned. In Concept Analysis in Nursing: A New Approach, Paley provides a critical analysis of the philosophical assumptions that underpin nursing’s concept analysis methods. He argues, provocatively, that there are no such things as concepts, as traditionally conceived. Drawing on Wittgenstein and Construction Grammar, the book first makes a case for dispensing with the traditional concept of a ‘concept’, and then provides two examples of a new approach, examining the use of ‘hope’ and ‘moral distress’. Casting doubt on the assumption that ‘hope’ always stands for an ‘inner’ state of the person, the book shows that the word’s function varies with the grammatical construction it appears in. Similarly, it argues that ‘moral distress’ is not the name of a mental state, but a normative classification used to bolster a narrative concerning nursing’s identity. Concept Analysis in Nursing is a fresh and challenging book written by a philosopher interested in nursing. It will appeal to researchers and postgraduate students in the areas of nursing, health, philosophy and linguistics. It will also interest those familiar with the author’s previous book, Phenomenology as Qualitative Research.

The only text to feature examples of 30 key concept analyses supporting nursing research and practice This DNP and PhD doctoral-level nursing text delivers analyses of 30 core concepts that define nursing theory, research, education, and professional practice. Grounded in the concept analysis framework developed by Walker and Avant, the book clearly demonstrates how concepts are used to build theory, support research, and improve education and professional practice. Designed to facilitate practical applications of concept analysis methodology, all chapters provide an explicit description of each concept and a consistent framework for its analysis. Additionally, a diagrammatic representation of characteristics across concepts allows readers to make comparisons and ultimately to build on the text’s knowledge base. Expert authors from clinical and research disciplines focus on the core of nursing-- the nurse-patient relationship--grouping concepts into the categories of patient/client-focused concepts, career-focused concepts, and organizational/systems-focused concepts. Within these groups the book addresses such contemporary themes as hope, postpartum depression, resilience, self-care, cultural competence, and many others. With its expansive descriptions and analyses of key nursing concepts within a consistent framework, the book will help nurse scholars to develop a sophisticated analytic ability and provide graduate nursing students with a foundation for developing a DNP capstone or PhD research project. Key Features: Offers in-depth description and analyses of 30 core concepts relevant to nursing and related disciplines Provides a consistent analytic framework throughout Demonstrates a highly practical application of concept analysis methodology Includes diagrams of characteristics across concepts for comparison Authored by renowned scholars and practitioners

This text guides you through the evolution of nursing's theoretical foundations and examines the ways in which these principles influence the practice of the discipline."--Jacket.

An essential reference, particularly for students who encounter nursing theory and research courses in their educational programs....In her foreword...Afaf Meleis states that it is the answer to a graduate student's prayers. I would certainly agree, and I would add that experienced researchers and theoreticians can use it as a handy reference for day-to-day scholarly activities.-- Nursing Education Perspectives. Updated terminology and the addition of many new terms with examples and references that reflect current nursing practice make this third edition of the Dictionary of Nursing Theory and Research a valuable accompaniment to the nursing student's or practitioner nurse's bookshelf. With the inclusion of research, theory, statistical, and epidemiologic definitions, as well as cross-reference notes at the end of each entry, this compilation is one of the most comprehensive and up-to-date nursing dictionaries available.;. This alphabetical dictionary of terms used in nursing research and nursing theory offers clear definitions--often in. multiple paragraphs and sometimes ending with an example that further demonstrates the meaning of the term Cross-references. are printed in boldface after the definitions with references that will lead the serious reader to delve more deeply into. contextual use of the terms and concepts.---CHOICE February 2006. What distinguishes this Dictionary from others are its attention to the diversity in inquiry and distinctively nursing. 'takes' on key concepts in theory and research. This Dictionary will be a welcome addition to the libraries of both new and. experienced researchers.. ---- Margarete Sandelowski, Cary C. Boshamer Professor, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This alphabetical dictionary of terms used in nursing research and nursing theory. offers clear definitions-often in multiple paragraphs and sometimes ending with an. example that further demonstrates the meaning of the term. Cross-references are printed. in boldface after the definitions. Powers (emer., Univ. of Rochester) and Knapp (Univ. of. Rochester/Ohio State Univ.) offer descriptive definitions with references that will lead. the serious reader to delve more deeply into the contextual use of the terms and. concepts. Given the accolades for the second edition(1995), it might be expected that the. definitions would rely on older references. Instead, the majority of the 17 pages of. references supporting the text take readers to publications newer than 1995, with a. significant number being as recent as 2004. The work, therefore, is unlikely to become. outdated for many years to come. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All Libraries. that support nurses' education and research at the lower-level undergraduate level and. above.- K. Bradley. Bellevue Community College ---CHOICE February 2006

For the first time, leading authorities come together to offer their expertise as they present the building blocks and concepts of nursing theory. Provides an explanation of concepts necessary as building block of theoryResearch basedDraws extensively on literatureExperienced contributors and editors, all leading experts in their fields

Leadership/Management/Finance

Encourages nurses to develop theories from their practice as opposed to using "off-the-peg" theories Provides a critique of nursing theory, making it ideal for nursing students who are now encouraged to adopt a critical approach to their learning

"An additional assumption was that the processes for theory development were new to nursing and hence, nurses in graduate programs learned strategies for advancing knowledge from other disciplines. This assumption was debunked with the knowledge that nurses were always engaged in knowledge development, driven by their experiences in clinical practice. Because of these assumptions, most of the early writing about theory development was about outlining strategies that should be used, rather than strategies that have already been used in the discipline to develop theories. Theorists themselves did not uncover or adequately discuss ways by which they developed their theories, therefore the tendency was to describe processes that were based on theories developed in other disciplines, mainly the physical and social sciences. And an implicit assumption was made that there should be a single strategy for theory development, some claiming to begin the process from practice, and others believing it should be driven by research"--Provided by publisher.

"It is very exciting to see all of these studies compiled in one book. It can be read sequentially or just for certain transitions. It also can be used as a template for compilation of other concepts central to nursing and can serve as a resource for further studies in transitions. It is an excellent addition to the nursing literature." Score: 95, 4 Stars. --Doody's "Understanding and recognizing transitions are at the heart of health care reform and this current edition, with its numerous clinical examples and descriptions of nursing interventions, provides important lessons that can and should be incorporated into health policy. It is a brilliant book and an important contribution to nursing theory." Kathleen Dracup, RN, DNSc Dean and Professor, School of Nursing University of California San Francisco Afaf Meleis, the dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, presents for the first time in a single volume her original "transitions theory" that integrates middle-range theory to assist nurses in facilitating positive transitions for patients, families, and communities. Nurses are consistently relied on to coach and support patients going through major life transitions, such as illness, recovery, pregnancy, old age, and many more. A collection of over 50 articles published from 1975 through 2007 and five newly commissioned articles, Transitions Theory covers developmental, situational, health and illness, organizational, and therapeutic transitions. Each section includes an introduction written by Dr. Meleis in which she offers her historical and practical perspective on transitions. Many of the articles consider the transitional experiences of ethnically diverse patients, women, the elderly, and other minority populations. Key Topics Discussed: Situational transitions, including discharge and relocation transitions (hospital to home, stroke recovery) and immigration transitions (psychological adaptation and impact of migration on family health) Educational transitions, including professional transitions (from RN to BSN and student to professional) Health and illness transitions, including self-care post heart failure, living with chronic illness, living with early dementia, and accepting palliative care Organization transitions, including role transitions from acute care to collaborative practice, and hospital to community practice Nursing therapeutics models of transition, including role supplementation models and debriefing models

From the worldOCOs leading authorities in nursing research, this thoroughly updated 2nd Edition of the Encyclopedia of Nursing Research presents key terms and concepts in nursing research comprehensively explained by over 200 expert contributors."