Paterson and Zderad: Humanistic Nursing Theory (Notes on Nursing Theories)

Nursing is placed within a humanistic framework in Paterson and Zderad′s theory, which defines nursing as a nurturing response aimed at well-being. Three constructs of nursing, which describe the why and how of nursing practice, are identified: `comfort′, `clinical′ and `all-at-once′.

In this volume, O′Connor explores the origin of the theory and its underlying assumptions. She also examines the major concepts of the metaparadigm of nursing, including the nursing process.