30+ Nursing Theory: Case Study Examples and Contributions to Nursing Practice
Introduction
Nursing theory provides the intellectual scaffolding for the profession of nursing. It defines nursing’s unique role, guides practice, informs education, and supports research. Theories range from grand, abstract frameworks to middle‑range and practice‑level models that directly shape bedside care. By applying theory to case studies, nurses can see how abstract concepts translate into real‑world interventions. This document explores major nursing theories, illustrates them with case examples, and analyzes their contributions to modern nursing practice.
1. Florence Nightingale – Environmental Theory
Case Study:
In a rural Kenyan hospital, infection rates were high among post‑surgical patients. A nurse leader applied Nightingale’s principles by improving ventilation, ensuring clean bedding, and instituting hand‑washing protocols. Within months, infection rates dropped significantly.
Contribution:
Nightingale’s theory established the foundation of nursing as an environmental science. Her emphasis on sanitation, light, and nutrition remains central to infection control, hospital design, and public health nursing.
2. Hildegard Peplau – Interpersonal Relations Theory
Case Study:
A psychiatric nurse worked with a patient experiencing severe anxiety. Through Peplau’s phases—orientation, identification, exploitation, and resolution—the nurse built trust, taught coping strategies, and facilitated recovery.
Contribution:
Peplau highlighted the therapeutic nurse‑patient relationship. Her theory informs mental health nursing, communication training, and patient‑centered care.
3. Virginia Henderson – Need Theory
Case Study:
A stroke patient struggled with feeding and mobility. Nurses applied Henderson’s 14 basic needs, focusing on breathing, nutrition, mobility, and communication. Rehabilitation plans emphasized independence.
Contribution:
Henderson defined nursing as assisting patients toward independence. Her framework guides rehabilitation, long‑term care, and nursing curricula.
4. Dorothea Orem – Self‑Care Deficit Theory
Case Study:
A diabetic patient lacked knowledge of insulin administration. Nurses provided education and support until the patient could self‑manage injections.
Contribution:
Orem’s theory emphasizes autonomy and self‑care. It underpins chronic illness management, patient education, and community health nursing.
5. Sister Callista Roy – Adaptation Model
Case Study:
A cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy experienced fatigue and depression. Nurses applied Roy’s model by supporting adaptation in physiological, self‑concept, role, and interdependence modes.
Contribution:
Roy’s model promotes resilience and adaptation. It informs oncology nursing, stress management, and holistic care.
6. Jean Watson – Theory of Human Caring
Case Study:
A nurse in palliative care provided spiritual support, listened empathetically, and maintained dignity for a dying patient.
Contribution:
Watson’s theory emphasizes caring as the essence of nursing. It shapes palliative care, holistic nursing, and patient satisfaction initiatives.
7. Madeleine Leininger – Transcultural Nursing Theory
Case Study:
A Muslim patient observing Ramadan required dietary adjustments. Nurses respected cultural practices while ensuring nutritional adequacy.
Contribution:
Leininger pioneered cultural competence in nursing. Her theory informs global health, multicultural care, and diversity training.
8. Betty Neuman – Systems Model
Case Study:
A patient faced stressors including financial hardship and illness. Nurses assessed environmental, interpersonal, and intrapersonal stressors, then implemented coping strategies.
Contribution:
Neuman’s model views patients as open systems. It informs stress reduction, holistic assessments, and community health.
9. Imogene King – Goal Attainment Theory
Case Study:
A hypertensive patient collaborated with nurses to set goals for diet and exercise. Progress was monitored jointly.
Contribution:
King emphasized collaboration and communication. Her theory supports shared decision‑making and chronic disease management.
10. Martha Rogers – Science of Unitary Human Beings
Case Study:
A nurse used therapeutic touch and guided imagery to help a patient with chronic pain.
Contribution:
Rogers introduced a holistic, energy‑based view of patients. Her theory influences integrative medicine and alternative therapies.
11. Patricia Benner – Novice to Expert Theory
Case Study:
A new nurse progressed from novice to expert through mentorship, reflective practice, and clinical experience.
Contribution:
Benner’s model guides nursing education, competency frameworks, and professional development.
12. Katharine Kolcaba – Comfort Theory
Case Study:
Post‑surgery patients received warm blankets, pain management, and emotional reassurance. Comfort scores improved.
Contribution:
Kolcaba’s theory emphasizes comfort in physical, psychospiritual, sociocultural, and environmental domains. It informs patient satisfaction and pain management.
13. Nola Pender – Health Promotion Model
Case Study:
Community nurses designed a wellness program promoting exercise and healthy diets.
Contribution:
Pender’s model supports preventive health, wellness campaigns, and lifestyle interventions.
14. Ida Jean Orlando – Nursing Process Theory
Case Study:
A nurse identified patient anxiety during hospitalization and adjusted care plans accordingly.
Contribution:
Orlando emphasized dynamic nurse‑patient interaction. Her theory informs clinical decision‑making and individualized care.
15. Ernestine Wiedenbach – Helping Art of Clinical Nursing
Case Study:
A nurse supported a grieving patient by listening and providing emotional care.
Contribution:
Wiedenbach highlighted nursing as a helping art. Her theory informs counseling and supportive care.
16. Faye Abdellah – 21 Nursing Problems Theory
Case Study:
A nurse systematically addressed nutrition, hygiene, and mobility in a patient with multiple health issues.
Contribution:
Abdellah’s problem‑based approach informs holistic assessments and nursing curricula.
17. Lydia Hall – Care, Cure, Core Theory
Case Study:
A nurse balanced medical treatment with emotional support for a patient recovering from surgery.
Contribution:
Hall emphasized integration of nursing care, medical cure, and patient core.
18. Joyce Travelbee – Human‑to‑Human Relationship Model
Case Study:
A nurse used empathy to connect with a depressed patient, fostering recovery.
Contribution:
Travelbee emphasized compassion and empathy. Her model informs mental health nursing.
19. Margaret Newman – Health as Expanding Consciousness
Case Study:
A patient with chronic illness found meaning and personal growth through nursing support.
Contribution:
Newman emphasized health as evolving awareness. Her theory informs palliative and spiritual care.
20. Rosemarie Parse – Human Becoming Theory
Case Study:
A nurse supported patient autonomy in end‑of‑life decisions.
Contribution:
Parse emphasized dignity and quality of life. Her theory informs ethical and palliative care.
21. Dorothy Johnson – Behavioral System Model
Case Study:
A nurse helped a child with ADHD regulate behavior through structured routines.
Contribution:
Johnson viewed patients as behavioral systems. Her model informs pediatric and behavioral nursing.
22. Myra Levine – Conservation Model
Case Study:
A nurse conserved patient energy during recovery by minimizing unnecessary activity.
Contribution:
Levine emphasized conservation of energy and integrity. Her model informs rehabilitation nursing.
23. Anne Boykin & Savina Schoenhofer – Nursing as Caring Theory
Case Study:
A nurse demonstrated compassion in routine tasks, reinforcing caring identity.
Contribution:
Boykin and Schoenhofer emphasized caring as central to nursing identity.
24. Barbara Dossey – Integral Nursing Theory
Case Study:
A nurse integrated physical, emotional, and spiritual care for a patient with chronic illness.
Contribution:
Dossey promoted holistic, integrative nursing.
25. Joanne Duffy – Quality‑Caring Model
Case Study:
A nurse built strong relationships with patients, improving satisfaction scores.
Contribution:
Duffy emphasized relationship‑centered care.
26. Afaf Meleis – Transitions Theory
Case Study:
A nurse supported a patient transitioning from hospital to home care.
Contribution:
Meleis emphasized transitional support.
27. Merle Mishel – Uncertainty in Illness Theory
Case Study:
A cancer patient coped with uncertainty through counseling.
Contribution:
Mishel emphasized coping with uncertainty.
28. Kristen Swanson – Caring Theory
Case Study:
A nurse reassured a mother after neonatal loss.
Contribution:
Swanson emphasized caring processes.
29. Helen Erickson – Modeling and Role‑Modeling Theory
Case Study:
A nurse adapted care to patient worldview.
Contribution:
Erickson emphasized personalized care.
30. Joanne Riehl‑Sisca – Interaction Model of Client Health Behavior
Case Study:
A nurse encouraged healthy behaviors through patient interaction.
Contribution:
Riehl‑Sisca emphasized health promotion.
31. Florence Wald – Hospice and Palliative Care Model
Case Study:
A nurse provided comfort to terminally ill patients.
Contribution:
Wald pioneered hospice care
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