King's Goal Attainment Theory: Application in Nursing Practice, Essays (university) of Complexity Theory

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KING’S GOAL ATTAINMENT THEORY

King's Goal Attainment Theory Tien Nguyen Saint Joseph University NUR160: History and Theory of Nursing Dr. Cynthia Snyder February 2025 Abstract

KING’S GOAL ATTAINMENT THEORY

Nursing is a dynamic profession rooted in the interplay of theory, practice, and interpersonal relationships. This paper synthesizes the historical contributions of Imogene King, an analysis of her Goal Attainment Theory through the nursing metaparadigm, and my emerging personal philosophy of nursing. The first section introduces King and her theory, highlighting its foundation in nurse-patient interactions to achieve health goals. The second section explores how the theory aligns with the metaparadigm elements of person, environment, health, and nursing. Finally, the third section articulates my personal philosophy, emphasizing collaboration and caring as core concepts informed by King’s framework. Together, these elements reflect my growth as a student nurse and my vision for future practice. King’s Goal Attainment Theory Imogene King (1923-2007) is famous for her Theory of Goal Attainment. She believed that the essence of nursing lay in the interaction between nurses and patients in focusing on achieving mutually set health goals, which was developed in the 1960s. Her work stemmed from her conviction that nursing should be based on a scientific approach to improving patient care and outcomes (Alligood, 2018, pp. 213–215) Description of King's Theory King’s Theory of Goal Attainment is built on three interacting systems: personal, interpersonal, and social. The personal system focuses on individual perceptions, self, body image and time. The interpersonal system emphasizes communication, interaction, roles and stress. The social system encompasses organization, authority, power and decision-making in healthcare environment. The theory emphasizes that effective communication and interaction between the nurse and the patients are important for setting health goals and achieving desired outcomes (Caceres, 2015).

KING’S GOAL ATTAINMENT THEORY

team (Caceres, 2015). This essay explores how King’s theory integrates each metaparadigm element, its relevance to contemporary nursing practice, and my vision for future practice. Firstly, Imogene King defines a person , focusing on the patients as a unique social being with three fundamental needs such as the need for health information, care to prevent illness, and assistance when unable to care for oneself. The holistic view considers every aspect of an individual, encompassing their physical, emotional, spiritual, and socioeconomic dimension. For example, this could involve collaborating with patients to set the goal of managing the blood sugar, empowering them to take control of their health (Adib-Hajbaghery & Tahmouresi, 2018). As a nurse, I educate my patients with diabetes to understand the importance of food choices, physical activity and medication based on their needs. Besides, I explain how to use glucometer and convert the results to make knowledgeable decisions about diabetes management. I also encourage patients to do more physical activities and introduce them to diabetes support groups to exchange experiences, gain support, and share common challenges. According to Imogene King, the environment is viewed as both internal (psychological) and external (physical and social), influencing human growth, development, and daily activities (Caceres, 2015). She emphasizes the importance of balance between all of the environments surrounding patients, including their social, family, and community relationships, to create supportive environments for healing (Borzo et al., 2024). For example, as a nurse when working with a patient with diabetes. I not only focus on the medical needs of patients but also assess their family dynamics, considering whether they have support from loved ones to manage their diet and medication, as well as their access to healthy food options. This support is important for the patient’s mental health and adherence to the plans discussed with the nurse to achieve their goals.

KING’S GOAL ATTAINMENT THEORY

Health in King’s theory is a dynamic state of well-being influenced by life experiences and the ability to adapt to internal and external environments. She emphasizes that health is achieved through effective nurse-patient interaction aimed at goal attainment. King emphasized that the interpersonal system is the most important to the quality of patient care, surpassing the impact of both personal and social systems (Adib-Hajbaghery & Tahmouresi, 2018). She also mentioned that communication and collaboration between a nurse and patient are central to achieving effective treatment results. In practice, when working with patients recovering from cardiac surgery, I would collaborate with them to establish achievable goals, such as restoring normal bowel function post-surgery. Finally, King describes nursing as a process of action, reaction, and interaction where nurses and patients share information, set goals, and work together to achieve them. The nurse facilitates the process by providing information and knowledge, support, and resources that enable the patient to make informed decisions and actively participate in their care (Alligood, 2018, p. 215-216). For example, as a nurse working with a patient recovering from surgery, I should actively engage them in discussions about their recovery plans, listen carefully to their concerns, manage their pain and guide patients toward self-care. In conclusion, King's theory aligns well with modern nursing practice by addressing the nursing metaparadigm - patient-centered care, environment, health, and nursing. It encourages nurses to view patients as active participants in their care, rather than passive recipients. The theory's focus on interpersonal relationships and goal attainment supports the current emphasis on patient engagement and empowerment in healthcare (Caceres, 2015). As I move forward, I intend to integrate King's Theory of Goal Attainment by using these elements to nursing practice

KING’S GOAL ATTAINMENT THEORY

I would not only educate them on glucose monitoring but also listen to their fears about lifestyle changes, offering reassurance and resources like support groups. This holistic approach, grounded in King’s view of the person as a unique being with diverse needs, ensures that care is both effective and humane. Caring, in my philosophy, is the heartbeat of nursing, driving every interaction toward healing. In my future practice, I will weave collaboration and caring into every patient encounter, guided by King’s framework. Whether in a hospital or community setting, I will prioritize open communication to establish realistic goals and deliver compassionate care that honors each patient’s individuality. This philosophy will evolve as I gain experience, but its roots in King’s theory provide a timeless foundation for my growth as a nurse. Conclusion My personal philosophy of nursing, shaped by Imogene King’s Goal Attainment Theory, celebrates the power of collaboration and caring in promoting health. This paper has traced King’s contributions, analyzed her theory through the nursing metaparadigm, and articulated how these ideas inform my approach to practice. By fostering partnerships and delivering compassionate care, I aspire to empower patients and enhance their quality of life. As I progress in my nursing journey, this philosophy will guide me in providing holistic, patient-centered care that adapts to the ever-changing healthcare landscape.

KING’S GOAL ATTAINMENT THEORY

References Adib-Hajbaghery, M., & Tahmouresi, M. (2018). Nurse–patient relationship based on the Imogene King’s theory of goal attainment. Nursing and Midwifery Studies , 7 (3), 141. https://doi.org/10.4103/nms.nms_10_ Alligood, M. R. (2018). Nursing theorists and their work (9th^ ed.). Elsevier. Borzo, S. R., Cheraghi, F., Khatibian, M., & Noveiri, M. J. S. (2024). Clinical reasoning skill of nurses working in teaching medical centers in dealing with practical scenarios of King's model concepts. BMC Medical Education, 24(1), 280. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909- 024-05256-x Caceres, B. A. (2015). King’s Theory of Goal Attainment. Nursing Science Quarterly, 28(2) , 151–155. https://doi.org/10.1177/ McQueen, L., Cockroft, M., & Mullins, N. (2017). Imogene King’s Theory of Goal Attainment and the Millennial Nurse: an important mentoring tool for nurse educators. Teaching and Learning in Nursing , 12 (3), 223–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teln.2017.03. Xu, T., Liu, C. Y., Tao, Y. X., Cai, X. T., Wu, Y. Y., Chen, R., Xiao, T., & Liu, M. Y. (2025). Effects of a goal attainment theory-based intervention on physical activity, body composition, and motivation in emerging adults with physical inactivity: A randomized controlled trial_. Public health_ , 238, 280–288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2024.12.