This text provides a comprehensive developmental and historical review of nursing theory. The book offers a contemporary analysis of the evolution of nursing and represents the degree to which many scholars view the focus and mission of nursing as a discipline through the development of its theoretical base. This revised reprint of the Third Edition has updated material in the chapter on Analysis of Theoretical Writing in Nursing. The chapter on Metatheory and Theory Bibliography has been updated and expanded. Tables and figures have been added to enhance visual understanding of concepts.