Conceptual Models of Nursing in Critical Care

Intensive care units are systems organized for the provision of care to patients in critical situations. In general, it is suggested that intensive care consists of a multidisciplinary and interprofessional specialty. Nevertheless, the predominance, relative to the professions that incorporate these units, falls on nurses. A conceptual model of nursing provides a framework for reflection, observation, and interpretation of phenomena and, specifically, it provides guidelines and guidance for aspects of clinical practice.

To understand the applicability of conceptual models of nursing in intensive care units.

Review of the literature following the Scoping Review protocol of the Joanna Briggs Institute. The research was performed in CINAHL, Cochrane, Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify studies published prior to 2021. Fourteen studies were selected.

There is no conceptual model of nursing universally accepted as ideal for intensive care units. However, there is unanimity in the identification of several benefits associated with the application of a conceptual model of nursing in the care of critically ill patients.

For the selection of a conceptual model of nursing for these contexts, the focus should be on the person and the choice should fall on the model that is most appropriate to the patient, and not on the philosophy that supports the model. Considering the nature of care, the nursing team can select a model or a combination of models.