Transitions Theory: Middle Range and Situation Specific Theories in Nursing Research and Practice

''Understanding and recognizing transitions are at the heart of health care reform and this current edition, with its numerous clinical examples and descriptions of nursing interventions, provides important lessons that can and should be incorporated into health policy. It is a brilliant book and an important contribution to nursing theory.''

-Kathleen Dracup, RN, DNSc,

Dean and Professor, School of Nursing

University of California San Francisco

Afaf Meleis, the dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, presents for the first time in a single volume her original ''transitions theory'' that integrates middle-range theory to assist nurses in facilitating positive transitions for patients, families, and communities. Nurses are consistently relied on to coach and support patients going through major life transitions, such as illness, recovery, pregnancy, old age, and many more.

A collection of over 50 articles published from 1975 through 2007 and five newly commissioned articles, Transitions Theory covers developmental, situational, health and illness, organizational, and therapeutic transitions. Each section includes an introduction written by Dr. Meleis in which she offers her historical and practical perspective on transitions. Many of the articles consider the transitional experiences of ethnically diverse patients, women, the elderly, and other minority populations.

Key topics discussed:

• Situational transitions, including discharge and relocation transitions (hospital to home, stroke recovery) and immigration transitions (psychological adaptation and impact of migration on family health)
• Educational transitions, including professional transitions (from RN to BSN and student to professional)
• Health and illness transitions, including self-care post heart failure, living with chronic illness, living with early dementia, and accepting palliative care
• Organization transitions, including role transitions from acute care to collaborative practice, and hospital to community practice
• Nursing therapeutics models of transition, including role supplementation models and debriefing models