Middle range nursing theories were first introduced into nursing in the mid ____; their number and use have grown dramatically in the last decade.

Middle range theories are more specific, have fewer concepts, and encompass a more limited aspect of the real world compared with grand nursing theories; they are also more readily testable in research.

Skill Acquisition in Nursing

Cultural Care Diversity and Universality Theory

Health Promotion Model

Transitions Theory

“High” middle range nursing theories (theories that are fairly concrete and apply to a narrow range of patients and situations) frequently used by nurses in research and practice include the Theory of Chronic Sorrow, Beck’s Postpartum Depression Theory, and Mercer’s Theory of Maternal Role Attainment.

Among the “low” middle range nursing theories (theories that are relatively abstract and apply to a very broad aspect of nursing) frequently used by nurses for research and practice are the works of Benner, Pender, Leininger, Meleis, and the Synergy Model.

Combining concepts or elements of multiple theories is common in middle range theory development.