Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia. Related to modifier: dangling modifier, misplaced modifier. Modifiers are, quite simply, any word or group of words that modifies (describes or elaborates upon) another element in a sentence. Modifiers can either be adjectives, which modify nouns (or sometimes pronouns), or adverbs, which modify pretty much everything else (usually verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs). Whether a modifier is an adjective or adverb depends on what it modifies and how it functions in a sentence.
Steven Edwards' Philosophy of Nursing is a book that must be read by any nursing school faculty member who teaches nursing theory as well as anyone interested in developing a more indepth understanding of the nature of nursing. This book is unique in that it examines nursing theory from a philosophical perspective.
Jean Watson Nursing Theory. 1  The formation of a humanistic-altruistic system of values, which begins at an early age with the values shared by parents. The system of values is mediated by the nurse's life experiences, learning gained, and exposure to the humanities.