Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Philosophy, science, and nursing -- Overview of theory in nursing -- Concept development : clarifying meaning of terms -- Theory development : structuring conceptual relationships in nursing -- Theory analysis and evaluation -- Overview of grand nursing theories -- Grand nursing theories based on human needs -- Grand nursing theories based on interactive process -- Grand nursing theories based on unitary process -- Introduction to middle range nursing theories -- Overview of selected middle range nursing theories -- Evidence-based practice and nursing theory -- Theories from the sociologic sciences -- Theories from the behavioral sciences -- Theories from the biomedical sciences -- Theories, models, and frameworks from leadership and management -- Learning theories -- Application of theory in nursing practice -- Application of theory in nursing research -- Application of theory in nursing administration and management -- Application of theory in nursing education -- Future issues in nursing theory.