Introduction Nursing theories portray the views that scholars had of nursing at that time. These nursing theories have evolved over time. In this paper I will examine closely the nursing theories using the microscope approach. The microscope is an instrument that is used to assist an individual focus on a particular item and examine it fully. The nursing theories focused on the issue at hand fully and sought to bring certain changes to the individual. In order to get to a solution, the theorists highlighted the problem and the causes of the problem in the patient. The nursing theories aimed to bring far away less understood issues closer for examination and observations in order to get a clearer understanding. At the end of the day, the theorists sought to achieve certain outcomes when their theories were applied by the nurses. Nursing theories they can be classified into different categories according to the school of thought that was prevailing at that time. Under the three main categories of nursing theory, I will highlight the main focus of the nursing theory and the detail elements in nursing. Care and Needs Theories In the first classification of the nursing theories, the theorists showed that nurses were there to address the needs of the patients. A patient was an individual with unmet needs. He is unable to meet the needs therefore the nurse comes in to assist and equip the patient with the resources to be able to meet his needs. There were several scholars who contributed to the theory of care or needs. Jean Watson is famous for the theory of Human Caring which she put forward that caring is a common and usual social behaviour in the world. This theorist felt that one could not take care of others unless the individual learnt to take care of himself. It was perceived that the people being treated have a need for provision of self-care in order to recover. The patient is taught how to nurture and intimately take care of his body. The nurse therefore came in to assist the patient take care of himself well. Non-provision of self-care services produces a deficit. In looking at humanness, love and care in the world were the most important things. Another theorist, Patricia Benner viewed caring as a process that created lasting human bonds in the world. Virginia Henderson put forward the Development theory in 1961 stating the individual required a lot of help towards attaining independence (Lucille & Kelly, 2003, p 206). Nursing in detail consists of several stages where it is substitutive, the nurse doing for the patient, then supplementary where the nurse works with the patient. In the next stage, the nurse compliments the patient. The patient works with the nurse to take care of himself. Finally, the patient becomes fully independent. After hospitalisation, the rate of recovery in the patient is fast since he is independent in taking care of himself. In taking care of himself, the nurse would in detail tell the patient how to take care of his needs. The patient should eat and drink adequately and ensure wastes are eliminated. Have adequate sleep and rest, select suitable clothes, keep the body clean and well-groomed and avoid dangers in the environment that would harm him. The patient was also expected to participate in recreational activities and have healthy and nurturing relationships. It was also important to work and worship faithfully. The patient was to maintain healthy postures and modify clothing and change environment in different weather seasons in order to