Introduction

The nursing discipline has sought over the years to base the interventions of its work by applying theories specific to the discipline, such as the theory of care, which provides the guideline to transfer it to the areas of action.

Objective

To analyze the scientific evidence available on the application of Kristen Swanson's theory of care in nursing practice.

Methodology

Review of the literature on the theory of care, Cooper's methodology was used, different databases were consulted: IMBIOMED, CUIDEN, ScienceDirect, Fundación Index, MEDLINE, ciberINDEX, SciELO, Redalyc, among others. The descriptors used were: nursing, nursing care, nursing theory, in Spanish, English and Portuguese language between the years 2015 and 2019, all types of literature were included, obtaining a sample of 42 articles and dissertations.

Results

Most of the documents analyzed do not fully capture the basic processes of care proposed by Swanson. The theory has proven to be useful in the area of care, development of intervention programs with neonates, post-operative heart children patients, breastfeeding, puerperium care and modification of attitudes towards organ donation.

Conclusion

Theory is considered essential for integral assessment, adopting its foundations and concepts is of great utility, since it favors the generation of a first learning space, it is useful to provide accompaniment to the patient and his family, and to offer them strategies for improvement. More intervention, qualitative and teaching research is required.

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