Includes bibliographical references and indexes

Pt.1. Our theoretical journey -- Positioning for the journey -- On being and becoming a scholar -- Theory : metaphors, symbols, and definitions -- Pt.2. Our theoretical heritage -- From can't to Kant : barriers and forces toward theoretical thinking -- On the way to theoretical nursing : stages and milestones -- Pt.3. Our discipline and its structure -- The discipline of nursing : perspective and domain -- Sources, resources, and paradoxes for theory -- Our syntax : an epistemological analysis -- Pt.4. Reviewing and evaluating: pioneering theories -- Nursing theories through mirrors, microscopes, or telescopes -- A model for evaluation of theories : description, analysis, critique, testing, and support -- On needs and self-care -- On interactions -- On outcomes -- Pt.5. On developing theories of different levels -- Developing concepts -- Developing theories -- Developing middle-range theories -- Developing situation-specific theories -- Pt.6. Our theoretical future -- Measuring progress in a discipline -- Fifth-generation theorists : passion for advancing theory -- Pt.7. Our historical and current literature -- Historical writings in theory -- Historical and current theory bibliography

"Focused on cultivating the next generation of scholars, this highly respected classic demystifies theory, charts strategies to use in developing and advancing theory, and provides tools and best practices in evaluating progress in the discipline. Based on the feedback of nursing students, this edition was updated to be more accessible without losing the necessary rigor to foster critical thinking. Meleis provides a developmental and historical review of theoretical nursing and helps readers develop analytic skills and integrate knowledge into a coherent whole. By embarking on the journey of nursing theory, practicing nurses will find ways to improve everyday practice, as well as develop theories that capture their expertise"--Publisher