Conceptual Models

Authors

  • Joy Winkler

Abstract

Contemporary nursing literature discusses the place of conceptual models in the development of the discipline from many viewpoints. The Canadian Nurses' Association's position is that any definition of nursing is derived from a conceptual model, and that the basis for independent nursing practice must be an explicit conceptual model of nursing. These statements, coupled with the Association's position on baccalaureate preparation for entry to practice by the year 2000, and the rapidly increasing enrolment in graduate programs in nursing in Canada, require nurse educators to carefully assess how students may best learn conceptual models of nursing. Adam's paper "Modèles conceptuels" addresses the pedagogical issue of whether one or several conceptual models of nursing should underlie an educational program. The author presents several views on the issue, and her arguments in support of the position for one conceptual model in a curriculum are on the whole clearly and logically presented. It is a very useful paper for discussion from an educator well known for her expertise on the topic. I support Adam's position of only one conceptual model at the base of a nursing curriculum. There are other reasons that she does not cite for taking this position. To internalize a conceptual model, learners require exposure to it in the multiple contexts of the didactic portion of the program, and repeated opportunities to apply it in practice. Models become real as they are debated and discussed, applied in practice, and tested in research. They are by definition abstract, understandable at different levels. The process of coming to see the relevance of the abstract concepts of a model to the real world of nursing takes time. It is easier for the teacher to help the student to see the links from the concrete to the abstract when both are concerned with just one model. Using one conceptual model as the framework for a curriculum does not preclude acquainting students with other views of nursing. Further, it is to be hoped that basing the curriculum on one model will foster students' ability to clearly articulate what nursing is, to themselves and others. That too is needed for the development of nursing as a discipline.

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Published

1983-04-13

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Articles