Nursing Theory Presentation
Steps in research & writing can get jumbled up! Don’t let that happen! Try organizing your approach to research and writing for your presentation…
1st Have you looked at or read about a Nurse Theorist who interests you? How about in your readings on different theories, have any felt familiar? Once you have decided on a theory or theorist you can
2nd “fill in the blanks” Often, we know very little beyond a theorist’s name and maybe some topical information about them from word of mouth, general knowledge or even rumors or mistaken information. Now is the time to do a simple web search to get some of the basic facts straight. Identify (by verifying and comparing sources) who you are going to write about and what theory is attributed to your nurse theorist.
3rd After your initial exploration of your theorist and theory, it’s time to start pulling relevant, reliable and reportable sources for your paper. Using the library databases, “Search Everything” search box, collect sources about which you know the following:
Attribution (Title)—you really need to know what you’re calling this source. Titles appear on books, webpages, articles, etc. It’s pretty important you know what the name of this thing is that you found.
Authority (Authorship)—who’s responsible for this content?
Access (Provide details of where to locate this resource)—Do you have the full URL (web address) of your electronic source? How about the publisher, title of journal, and/or publication information? Can you tell someone where exactly this information is coming from?
Age (when was this created?)—Knowing the year (at least) of when this information was fresh gives the reader the ability to place your research into context of information and knowledge that will come after, or how your findings may be different from someone who wrote a long time ago…or when looking back from the future on your work!
4th Your initial search (the fill in the blanks from #2 above) may have provided all that you need to include that source into your paper or project. By #3 above, you will certainly have found sources that you can report on successfully and include into a bibliography, works cited or references page.
But if you are still having difficulty at this point finding appropriate resources for your paper, please see a librarian to assist you!
5th Review your sources, take notes or highlight areas of the source that directly relate to answering or giving information about the following:
Brief Biography of your Theorist
Define the Theory in relation to the concepts of Nursing, Health, Person & Environment. Create a connection to the theory and how it defines, understands and/or conceptualizes each of those facets of Nursing.
A case study; giving an example of the application of your theory; should be provided. Find an example, or generate a narrative to paint a picture of the theory’s application in a real world situation.
Finally, your personal evaluation of the theory should be evident throughout the paper and your thoughts about the theory should be clearly understood. (Do you believe it is clear and applicable? Too simple or confined to something too specific? Is being knowledgeable of this theory useful?)
6th REMEMBER—this is a presentation with a paper! After this research project and paper, you will be delivering this content to your classmates! You will be expected to act the part of a content expert; instructing and educating the class on all the various facets of your Theorist and Theory. Now is the time to show your new knowledge and express it in a dynamic and creative way to pass on what you’ve learned!
A few recommended sites for information on nurse theorists and nursing theory.