Publisher Website
Authors: Peggy L Chinn, RN, PhD, FAAN, Maeona K Kramer, PhD, APRN & Kathleen Sitzman, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN
Year First Published – 1983
Framework based on nursing’s patterns of knowing first published in 3rd Edition in 1991.
Major Concepts
Patterns of Knowing (empirics, ethics, personal, aesthetics, emancipatory), theory development, critical reflection of theory
Brief Description
This classic text explores nursing theory and how it is related to nursing research and quality patient care. It examines the principles of knowledge development, using the patterns of knowing to guide sound clinical judgment. Each chapter begins with a Basics section, which is followed by a Now That You Know the Basics section providing a deeper understanding of knowledge patterns for more advanced learners. In addition, the content in this edition aligns with the new 2021 AACN Essentials for Nursing Education. Key content in this text is also used as the basis for the creation of the first domain within the AACN Essentials, Knowledge for Nursing Practice, and in other domains within the AACN Essentials.
Specific features include:
- Discussion of the five Patterns of Knowing includes empiric, personal, aesthetic, ethical, and emancipatory knowledge, defining the different types of knowledge and how they relate to each other.
- Discussion of evidence-based practice provides examples of how the five patterns of knowing may be applied to nursing practice.
- Coverage of theory, theory development, and the relationship of theory to nursing research and practice helps you learn to apply theory to practice.
- Interpretive summaries highlight the interrelatedness of all patterns of knowing, making it easier to apply all dimensions of knowing to specific chapter content.
- Full-color diagram in the front of the book depicts how the patterns of knowing are related.
- Glossary defines the key terms and concepts of nursing theory.
New features in this edition –
- Examples andi case studies in each chapter, and a new Appendix with additional study guides and materials to enrich student learning.
- QR codes throughout the book that lead to current online material that extend and enrich student learning
Animation of the interrelationships between and among the patterns of knowing
© Elsevier 2022. Used by permission
Book Editions
Chinn, Peggy L; Kramer, Maeona & Sitzman, Kathleen (2022). Knowledge Development in Nursing: Theory and Process (1t1h ed.). St Louis: Elsevier.
Chinn, Peggy L, & Kramer, Maeona. (2018). Knowledge Development in Nursing: Theory and Process (10th ed.). St Louis: Elsevier.
Chinn, Peggy L, & Kramer, Maeona. (2015). Knowledge Development in Nursing: Theory and Process (9th ed.). St Louis: Elsevier.
Chinn, Peggy L., & Kramer, Maeona K. (2011) Integrated Theory and Knowledge Development in Nursing (8th ed.) St. Louis: Elsevier
Chinn, Peggy L., & Kramer, Maeona K. (2007) Integrated Theory and Knowledge Development in Nursing (7th ed.) St. Louis: Elsevier. Korean translation published in 2011.
Chinn, Peggy L., & Kramer, Maeona K. (2004) Integrated Knowledge Development (6th ed.) St. Louis: CV Mosby. Translated into Danish, 2005
Chinn, Peggy L., & Kramer, Maeona K. (1999) Theory and Nursing:Integrated Knowledge Development (5th ed.) St. Louis: CV Mosby.
Chinn, Peggy L., & Kramer, Maeona K. (1995). Theory and Nursing: A Systematic Approach. (4th ed.). St. Louis: CV Mosby. Translated into Japanese in 1995. Translated into German in 1996.
Chinn, Peggy L., & Kramer, Maeona K. (1991). Theory and Nursing: A Systematic approach. (3rd ed.). St. Louis: CV Mosby.
Chinn, Peggy L., & Jacobs, Maeona K. (1987). Theory and nursing: A systematic approach (2nd ed.). St. Louis: CV Mosby.
Chinn, Peggy L., & Jacobs, Maeona K. (1983) Theory and nursing: A systematic approach. St. Louis: CV Mosby.
Authors
Peggy L. Chinn (1941 – )
Dr. Chinn is Professor Emerita of Nursing at the University of Connecticut. She is the

founding Editor of Advances in Nursing Science and authors books and journal articles on nursing theory, feminism and nursing, the art of nursing, and nursing education. She is co-founder and web manager of the Nurse Manifest Project to inspire and empower grass-roots action by nurses to shape the future of nursing and health care based on nursing’s fundamental values. Her book and website focused on cooperative group process, Peace and Power, is grounded in critical feminist theory and nursing philosophy, and is recognized as a model for critical research methods, teaching and learning, and political action.
Maeona (Mae) Kay Kramer (1943 – )

Born into a farm family in rural Michigan’s thumb area. Grew up as a tomboy doing all things farm and country and attending school in Akron Michigan. After graduating high school, attended St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Flint, Michigan and subsequently completed my BSN, MSN and PhD at Wayne State University in Detroit. Moved to Salt Lake City and began a life long career at the University of Utah teaching a variety of subjects across all levels. Met and taught a theory course with. Peggy Chinn during the early part of my career at Utah and thus began our lifelong association around nursing theory. At Utah, I also developed my interest and understanding of feminist thought and critical theory and completed a post-masters in gerontological nursing.. Retirement came in 2006 and a mountain home in Idaho beckoned. After retirement my interest in maintaining an active involvement in nursing waned, however I have continued to work with Peggy Chinn on revisions of Knowledge Development in Nursing
Kathleen Sitzman

Dr. Sitzman is Professor, Undergraduate Nursing Science, at East Carolina University (NC). She has been a nurse since 1983 and has used her extensive experience to produce scholarly work that contributes to the nursing profession and body of knowledge on international, national, state, community, and local levels. She has been Co-PI or PI on ten research projects related to caring in digital settings. Dr. Sitzman has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles, has co-authored two textbooks for Springer Publishing; Sitzman, K. & Watson, J. (2017), Watson’s Caring in the Digital World; Sitzman, K, & Watson, J. (2018), Caring Science, Mindful Practice: Implementing Watson’s Human Caring Theory (2nd Edition), and has also co-authored two textbooks for Jones and Bartlett: Sitzman, K. & Eichelberger, L. (2017) Understanding the Work of Nurse Theorists: A Creative Beginning (4th Edition), and Judd, D., Sitzman, K. (2014). Nursing history: trends and eras (2nd Edition). She is a member of ANA, NLN, AAN, STTI, and IAHC. She has served as the secretary of the IAHC Board for three years and is now President-Elect of that organization. Starting in 2009 and continuing to the present, she serves as Assistant Editor for the International Journal of Human Caring. She is the creator and ongoing Instructor/Administrator for the internationally recognized “Caring Science, Mindful Practice” Massive Open Online Course that has been offered twice a year from 2015 to the present. To date, this course has served 3801 learners from all over the world and has established an enduring international caring community.