Applied NursingTheory: Imogene King and Laurence Kohlberg

Applied Theory: Imogene King and Laurence Kohlberg

Theory development and research have provided a framework and body of knowledge for nursing to maintain autonomy and improve quality of care. As early as the 1800s, nursing and non-nursing theorists had developed theories and models which are continually applied to nursing practice (KEEP OR GET RID OF?). Nursing theorist Imogene King developed the theory of goal attainment which focused on interacting systems that affected a person’s ability to attain goals (Frey, Sieloff, & Norris, 2002). Psychologist Laurence Kohlberg created the theory of stages of moral development which places moral reasoning and ethical behavior into six identifiable stages based on a person’s response to moral dilemmas (Kohlberg, 1984). Although King and Kohlberg created theories in different fields, nurses can utilize both to improve patient care. The purpose of this paper is to analyze both theories based on major precepts, usefulness, and application to nursing practice.

Description of Theories

Theory of Goal Attainment

King developed the theory of Goal Attainment based on her conceptual system for nursing practice in 1971 (MOSBY). She focused primarily on the ability to function in social roles and the assumption that the “focus of nursing is human beings interacting with their environment, leading to a state of health” (Alligood & Tomey, 2010, p. 292). She questioned the nature of nursing and concluded that “the way in which nurses, in their role, do with and for individuals... differentiates … [the nurse] from other health professionals” (Alligood & Tomey, 2010, p. 291). Using this principle, King observed nurse and patient interactions to design a model depicting theoretical principles which are ...

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