Imogene KingNurse Theorist

Nurse 324Spring 2013

Jamie ZiembaMaia Novak

Staci Wandell

Born: January 30, 1923 in IowaDied: December 24, 2007 after suffering from a

stroke in Florida

Education

1945- Received basic nursing education from St. John’s Hospital in St Louis, MS1948- Completed her Bachelors of Science in

Nursing education from St. Louis University1957- earned her Master of Science in Nursing from St. Louis University1961- completed her doctor of education degree (EdD) from Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City (Chitty and Black, 2011, p 311).

Life of Imogene KingImogene King is a legend to Nursing Theory. Until the day she had her stroke she was a contributing person to Nursing theories and the Americas Nursing Association. She never retired she always

remained involved with the Nursing Profession. In her lifetime she received many awards. The following are a few of the greatest

received.

2004- Inducted into America’s Nursing Assoication (ANA) Hall of fame Inducted into Florida’s Nursing Association (FNA) Hall of fame Inducted into the Teachers College, Columbia University Hall of fame

2005- Declared a Living Legend by the America’s Nursing Association

(Stevens and Messmer, 2008, p 100).

Imogene King’s theory was about patients and nurses working together to mutually set goals that were achievable by the patient to help them attain and maintain health. The

key to her theory is that the goals have to be set mutually, the patient had to be involved in his or her care, and that the nurse patient relationship was crucial to have.

King was able to do this by the three integrated working systems. (Persons, interpersonal relationships, and social contexts)(Clarke et al, 2009).

Leading up to her theory…

Motivation for developing her theory…According to Clarke et al, from Nursing Science

Quarterly 2009, Imogene’s motivation was her Uncle who was a Surgeon. When she sought out nursing as a profession it was during the depression. The depression uprooted her family from their home and forced them to move. Her uncle made her a deal that he would pay for her tuition if she went to St John’s Hospital to pursue a degree in Nursing. In 1945 she completed her basic education from St. John’s Hospital and she never stopped continuing her education (Clarke, 2009).

Leading up to her theory… Philosophic Values about nursing and knowledge development…

The values King held close to heart are those the same as many nurses; “honesty, integrity, justice, and respect for every human being.” She also believed that the patients had the right to privacy, self- determinations, and information to make informed choices (King, 2007). Imogene King was a life long

learner, her goal was to attain or regain health of an individual. She has had an everlasting impression on the nursing profession and the nurses who worked with her. Her theory has been heard around the world and is practiced throughout.

Leading up to her theory…

What influenced her?Patients. That easily stated. Imogene King never stopped working for her patients until the day she died. Her theory is based off of goal

attainment by the patient and the nurse. Nurse-patient relationships had to be formed in order for the patient to regain their health status. Imogene King was 100% about helping her patients in what they needed help in to better their lives. She was their key to unlock the door to a better and brighter future (Clarke et al, 2009).

Imogene’s response to a someone asking her if she has ever defined the ‘Nurse’s Act’ was…

“Not that I know of, but first one needs to define a ‘human act’ because nurses and the

clients they serve are first and foremost human beings.”

(Fawcett, 2001).

I believe that this further shows that Imogene King was committed to her patients being the

number one priority.

Evaluation of the Nursing Model

Imogene King’s Theory of Goal Attainment was developed at a time when nurses were striving to be professionals.

Her theory was developed from the research of the General System Theory by von Bertalanffy and adjunctive knowledge by Myra Levine. King knew that it was important to cross disciplines to get an adequate theory.

The two questions that her perspective of nursing came from were:What is the essence of nursing?

What is the human act?(Fawcett, 2001)

Myra Levine Von Bertalanffy

Evaluation of the Nursing ModelImogene King’s theory does describe the four global concepts of person, health, environment and nursing. I believe this because of her theory behind the interacting systems. They all interact to create who we are today.

King’s Theory can be used in any form of Nursing. Obstetrics, Emergency, Operating, or Medical Nursing all involves the patient being the number one priority and all forms of these types of nursing are patient centered.

Evaluation of the Nursing Model

According to Clarke et al, (2009) there have been 11 theories

published that were stemmed from King’s theory of Goal

Attainment. The theories that are based from hers have their

own ideas but her skeleton framework of patient centered care. Imogene King was a great

leader with great ideas, it makes sense that people are working

from her original theory.

Practice Situations

With inpatients, the patient may feel like

they have to wait a long time, King was patient

centers. Televisions area distraction to patients so

it doesn’t appear they are waiting that long.

Home health nurses, they enter into a patients home

and have to make that connection. Once they make

the connection then the patient trusts them and is able to make the mutual

goals to be achieved.

In the Emergency Room, after a patient from a motor vehicle accident suffers from an arm

amputation, after the patient is stable, the nurse refocuses on the

patient and their feelings of loss and decreased self-esteem. They set

goals together.

With any type of nursing when the patient does not understand their medication or procedure and the

nurse properly educates the individual, this is an example of King’s theory. In order for the patient to comply with their regimen then they have to

understand ithttp://imogene-king.blogspot.com/

Interpretation A Theory for Nursing: Systems, Concepts, Process was published in 1981

-discusses three systems-personal -interpersonal-social

-the focus of King’s work is setting goals and determining how the goals set between the nurse and patient are going to be met-King’s work is not linear because assessment, planning, goal setting, intervention, and evaluation and can happen concurrently.

(Chitty and Black, 2011)

System Levels

• Personal system is when the nurse focuses on what the patient’s perceptions are

• interpersonal system is discovering the patient’s role and possible stressors

• Social system is used to help determine what influences the patient to make decisions

(Chitty and Black, 2011).

King’s Ideas

• Clear communication is essential between the nurse and patient

• King discusses the progression of progression of relationship building from perception, judgment, action, reaction, and interaction

• King understood the importance of monitoring the progress of reaching the patient’s goals

Consequences of King’s work• If the nurse and the patient have good communication than goals will be met.• If the patient meets their goals than they will be satisfied with their health• Growth and development will be enhanced with successful interaction

between nurse and patient• It is important that the expectations and roles of the patient are clear and the

nurse agrees with them • If there is conflict between the nurse and patient then this will create stress in

their relationship• Communication is essential in order to set appropriate goals and have these

goals be meet• If nurse with special knowledge skill communicate appropriate information to

client, mutual goal setting and goal attainment will occur ("Imogene king's

theory," 2012)

Conclusion

Imogene King influenced nursing immensely. A great nurse is one that treats their

patients with respect and dignity. They not only share medical knowledge, but they also teach their patients about his or her medical conditions. Great nurses are taught to help patients set reasonable goals and determine how those goals will be met. Keep Imogene King’s ideas and concepts in mind next time

you interact with your patients.

Case StudyAmelia is a 17-year-old and a senior in high school. She loves playing basketball and signed a contract to play in college. Last week she fell during a game and just found out that she has to have surgery to repair her ACL. She is currently going through lots of mixed emotions. She is sad and depressed, but mostly right now she is experiencing lots of anxiety about her upcoming surgery. Keeping Imogene King in mind, answer the following questions about Amelia and her current anxiety.

1. What are some physiological symptoms of anxiety? a. Elevated BP b. Insomnia c. Inability to concentrate in school d. All of the Above

2. State 2 appropriate outcomes/goals for Amelia 3. What are 3 interventions that the nurse can help with and initiate? 4. Paying close attention to Amelia’s perception of anxiety is an example of which one of King’s

systems? a. Interpersonal system b. Personal system c. Social system

ReferencesChitty, K.K., & Black, B.P. (2011). Professional nursing: Concepts and challenges (6th ed.) Maryland Heights, MO: SandersClarke, P., Killeen, M., Messmer, P., & Sieloff, C. (2009). Imogene M. King's scholars reflect on her wisdom and influence on nursing

science. Nursing Science Quarterly, 22(2), 128-133. doi:http://0-dx.doi.org.libcat.ferris.edu/10.1177/0894318409332568Fawcett, J. (2001). Scholarly dialogue. The nurse theorists: 21st-century updates -- Imogene M. King. Nursing Science Quarterly, 14

(4), 311-315.Imogene king's theory of goal attainment . (2012, January 30). Retrieved from http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/ goal_attainment_theory.htmlKing, I. (2007).King’s conceptual sytem, theory of goal attainment, and transaction process in the 21 st century. Nursing Science

Quarterly, 20(109), 109-111. DOI: 10.1177/0894318407299846Stevens, K., & Messmer, P. (2008). In remembrance of Imogene M. King, January 30, 1923 -- December 24, 2007: Imogene, a

pioneer and dear colleague. Nursing Outlook, 56(3), 100-101.http://imogene-king.blogspot.com/ (Staci’s Weblink)