Nursing Theorists and Their Work

**Selected for 2026 Doody's Core Titles as an Essential Purchase in Theory**

Understand the thinking of 39 leading nursing theorists in one comprehensive text!

Nursing Theorists and Their Work, Eleventh Edition, provides a clear, in-depth look at nursing theories of historical and international significance.

Each chapter presents a key nursing theory or philosophy, showing how systematic theoretical evidence enhances decision making, professionalism, and quality of care.

Lead author Martha Raile Alligood is known nationally and internationally for her expertise in nursing theory.

A classic in the field of nursing theory, this text uses objective critiques, case studies, and critical thinking activities to bridge the gap between nursing theory and application in the practice of nursing.

• NEW!

  Information on the state of nursing in health care after COVID-19 illustrates how nursing knowledge development continues to evolve, with new theories that address current health care needs for quality nursing care

• Theorist chapters written by scholars specializing in that theorist’s work - often having worked closely with the theorists — provide the most accurate and complete information possible
• Case studies at the end of each theorist chapter present the theory in a larger perspective, demonstrating how it can be applied in practice
• Critical thinking activities at the end of each theorist chapter help you to process the theory presented and apply it to personal and hypothetical nursing practice situations
• Theory-specific diagrams help you visualize and better understand inherently abstract concepts and their relationships
• Major Concepts and Definitions boxes outline a theory’s most significant ideas and clarifies vocabulary
• Brief summary sections offer valuable review for tests and validate comprehension
• Points for Further Study sections direct you to sources of additional information
• A diagram in each unit illustrates the level of abstraction of the theoretical knowledge presented

• New information on international theorists will be included
• New information the topic of clinical reasoning and judgment and how it relates to the various theories presented will be included
• The new AACN Essentials will be addressed and included where appropriate throughout the text