1. Imogene King’s Interacting Systems Framework & Theory of Goal Attainment
By: Susan Fenner, Jessica Martin, Scottie Withers, and Sherry Herring
James Madison University
NSG 463

3. Imogene King: International Nursing Scholar & Pioneer Nursing Theorist
Born on Jan. 30, 1923 in Iowa. Died December 24, 2007 at the age of 83
First career choice was to become a teacher
She viewed nursing school as a way to get out of her small town
Uncle offered to pay her tuition if she attended nursing school
“ I hope that in my desire to be a teacher, and in teaching many students at every level of nursing education, I have in some small way helped others to learn.” Imogene King

4. Education
1945- Graduated from St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis
1948- Graduated from St. Louis University with a BSN
1957- Received a Master of Science Degree from University of St. Louis
1961- Received a Doctorate in Education from Columbia University
1980- Honorary Ph.D from Southern Illinois University

5. Career Accomplishments of King
Associate Professor, ( ) at Loyola University in Chicago.
Assistant Chief of the Research Grants Branch of the Division of Nursing in Washington, D.C.,
Director of Ohio State University School of Nursing,
Professor, ( ) at Loyola University in Chicago.
Professor, ( ) at University of South Florida College of Nursing
Retired with title of Professor Emeritus.
Petiprin, A. (2016). Retrieved from:

6. Career Accomplishments of King
District IV Florida Nurses Association
American Nurses Association
Sigma Theta Tau International
Fellow in American Academy of Nursing
Petiprin, A. (2016). Retrieved from:

7. Career Accomplishments of King
In addition to her nursing theory, she published several books.
The Language of Nursing Theory and Metatheory, 1997.
Toward a Theory for Nursing: General Concepts of Human Behavior, 1971.
Curriculum and Instruction in Nursing: Concepts and Process
A Theory for Nursing: Systems, Concepts and Process, 1981.
Petiprin, A. (2016). Retrieved from:

8. Theory of Goal Attainment
Developed in the 1960s by Imogene King
Describes the relationship between the nurse and patient as “dynamic and interpersonal” (Petiprin, 2016)
Patients mature and develop through life in order to reach goals
Theory posits that certain factors affect the “attainment of goals” – roles, stress, space, & time
Petiprin, A. (2016). Goal Attainment. Retrieved from

9. Theory of Goal Attainment
Patients have 3 fundamental needs regarding healthcare:
1. Health information
2. Prevention of illness
3. Care when incapacitated
Petiprin, A. (2016). Goal Attainment. Retrieved from

10. Theory of Goal Attainment
3 Interacting Systems Within King’s Theory Model, Each System Containing It’s Own Set of Concepts
Personal- perception, self, growth, development, body image, space, & time
Interpersonal- interaction, communication, transaction, role, & stress
Social System- organization, authority, power, status, & decision-making
Each patient (person) is a combination of these 3 systems which influences decision-making and goal-setting
Petiprin, A. (2016). Goal Attainment. Retrieved from

11. Theory of Goal Attainment from King
King Theory of Goal Attainment [Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from

12. Theory of Goal Attainment
King’s theory proposes that if the nurse is able to accurately determine the goal or goals of the patient and enable the patient to achieve the goal or goals then the following will occur:
Mutual trust and satisfaction
Enhanced growth and development
Mutual goal-setting and goal achievement
Petiprin, A. (2016). Goal Attainment. Retrieved from

13. Theory of Goal Attainment
King also emphasizes that our focus as nurses is the “care of human beings and that our goal is the health of both the individual and the group” (Petiprin, 2016)
Essentially, patients are people and people are complex, communicative, perceiving, and goal-oriented. Each patient (person) has a specific background and family dynamic that influences decisions and goal-making.
We, as nurses, need to communicate effectively with patients to determine the individual goals in order to effectively manage care and enable patients to reach their health care goals
Petiprin, A. (2016). Goal Attainment. Retrieved from

14. Making Sense of Theory
“Interaction with the patient is an important component of King’s goal attainment model” (Black, 2017, p. 184).
Imogene King's theory of goal attainment process of interaction [Diagram]. (n.d.). Retrieved from content/uploads/2014/10/Process-of-Interaction.png

15. Application of King’s Theory of Goal Attainment to Nursing Practice
Establishing Effective Communication with Patients
Creating Trusting Nurse to Patient Relationships
Determining Perceived Needs, Barriers, and Goals
Planning Care to Reach Goals
Patient Education
Advocate and Goal Attainment
Prevention of Illness or Regaining Health

16. Theory of Goal Attainment & Nursing Practice
King’s theory component of interaction correlates with the assessment phase of the nursing process.
King’s theory component of interaction also correlates with the nursing diagnosis phase of the nursing process.
King’s theory component of transaction correlates with the planning phase of the nursing process.
King’s theory component of transaction also correlates with the implementation/interventions phase of the nursing process.
King’s theory component of evaluation is also a phase of the nursing process.
Petiprin, A. (2016). Goal attainment. Retrieved from

17. Theory of Goal Attainment & Nursing Practice
As nurses, we must understand that human interactions, in combination with environmental factors, effect human perception.
“Communication is required to verify the accuracy of the perception, as well as for interaction and translation” (Petiprin, 2016).

18. Goal Attainment Theory Limitations
Critically ill patients are not able to communicate their needs and goals.
Perception of another’s interpersonal experiences requires emotional intelligence, including empathy.
Lack of emotional intelligence creates barriers to perception, and interaction by both the nurse and the patient, therefore, communication can be inhibited.
Technology can potentially inhibit face to face interaction with patients.
“King asserted that the concept of perception is fundamental to human interaction through a two-way relationship” (Shanta & Connolly, 2013 p. 177).
Shanta, L. L., & Connolly, M. (2013). Using King's Interacting Systems Theory to link emotional intelligence and nursing practice. Journal of Professional Nursing, 29(3), doi: /j.profnurs

19. References
Black, B. P. (2017). Professional nursing: Concepts & challenges (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
Imogene King's theory of goal attainment process of interaction [Diagram]. (n.d.). Retrieved from
King Theory of Goal Attainment [Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from
Petiprin, A. (2016). Goal attainment. Retrieved from
Shanta, L. L., & Connolly, M. (2013). Using King's Interacting Systems Theory to link emotional intelligence and nursing practice. Journal of Professional Nursing, 29(3), doi: /j.profnurs