Nursing Theories
Introduction to Nursing Theories
Nursing theories are used for describing, developing, and disseminating, and they use present-day knowledge in nursing. There are various nursing theories that are used by nurses as a guide to their day-to-day practice in nursing. This paper will look at and give views on theory-driven and evidence-based of tow nursing theories.
Dorothea Orem’s Self-Care Theory
One of these theories is the self-care theory by Dorothea Orem. The major concept in this theory is an art through which the nursing practitioner gives assistance that is specialized to individuals with disabilities, making more than ordinary assistance necessary for meeting the needs for self-care. Self-care requirements are actions that are directed towards providing self-care presented in three categories; universal self-care requisites, development self-care requisites, and health deviation self-care requisites.
Assumptions in Orem’s Self-Care Theory
There are various assumptions that were made in this theory such as people have to be self-reliant and responsible when it comes to their own care as well as others within the family needing care. It also assumes that people are distinct individuals, and nursing is a form of action that involves an interaction between two or more people. Another assumption is that meeting universal and development self-care requirements is a crucial component when it comes to primary care prevention and illnesses. There is also an assumption that an individual’s knowledge of potential health problems is important when it comes to the promotion of self-care behaviors (Gonzalo, 2011).
Application of Orem’s Theory in Nursing
This theory is applicable for nursing by those beginning the practice as well as the advanced people. In this theory, nursing is needed when a person can not maintain continuously the amount and quality of self-care that is required to sustain life and health, recover from an injury or disease, or cope with the effects of illnesses or injuries.
Virginia Henderson’s Need Theory
Another nursing theory is the need theory by Virginia Henderson. The background of the theory emphasizes the importance of increasing the independence of a patient in order for progress after hospitalization not to be delayed. It aims to assist individuals in gaining independence in relation to the performance of activities that contribute to their health or recovery. According to this theory, the role of nurses is substitute, supplementary, and complementary, with the main aim of helping the individual become as independent as possible.
Assumptions in Henderson’s Need Theory
There are several assumptions in this theory. One is that nurses are supposed to care for patients until they are able to care for themselves once again. Another assumption is that nurses are willing to serve and that they will devote themselves to patients day and night (Currentnursing, 2012). A lot of focus on Orem’s work is self-care. Even if there is a wide scope as seen when it comes to the encompassing theory of the nursing systems, Orem’s goal of letting readers look at nursing care as a way of providing assistance to people was apparent when it came to all the concepts that were presented. From the definition, health that is seen as rigid can now be refined by making it suitable to a general view of health as a state that is ever-changing and dynamic. The role of nurses when it comes to the maintenance of the health of patients was set by Orem with a lot of coherence according to the life-sustaining needs of every person. This theory appears simple, yet it is quite complex; the use of self-care agency, self-care deficit, and universal self-care can be quite confusing. The theory does not recognize the emotional needs of an individual (Gonzalo, 2011).
The Four Major Concepts of the Need Theory
The needs theory is based on four major concepts: the individual, who has basic needs, which are components of health. The second concept is that the environment is the setting in which an individual learns of a unique pattern of living. The third concept is health whereby nurses are required to stress on promoting health and prevention and cure of illnesses. The final concept is nursing, which assists and supports individuals in life activities and their attainment of independence. The theory puts emphasis on basic human needs as being a central focus of the nursing practice, which has led to the development of theory when it comes to the needs of an individual and how nursing can be used to meet these needs (Currentnursing, 2012).
References
Gonzalo, A. (2011). Theoretical Foundations of Nursing. Retrieved October 7, 2014 from http://nursingtheories.weebly.com/dorothea-e-orem.htmlCurrentnursing. (2012). Virginia Henderson’s Need Theory. Retrieved October 7, 2014 from http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/Henderson.html
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dorothea Orem’s Self-Care Theory in nursing?
Dorothea Orem’s Self-Care Theory focuses on assisting individuals who are unable to maintain their own care needs, ensuring that they can sustain health and recover from illness through appropriate nursing interventions.
What are the key concepts of the Need Theory by Virginia Henderson?
Virginia Henderson’s Need Theory emphasizes the importance of increasing patient independence to prevent delayed recovery after hospitalization, with nurses playing a supporting role until the patient can care for themselves.
How does the Self-Care Theory apply to nursing practice?
The Self-Care Theory is applied when a person cannot meet their own self-care needs. Nurses provide assistance by facilitating the patient’s ability to maintain life, recover from illness, and cope with health issues.
What are the assumptions in the Self-Care Theory by Orem?
Some assumptions in Orem’s theory include the belief that people are responsible for their own care, that health promotion and prevention are vital, and that knowledge of health problems is essential for self-care.
What is the role of nurses in Virginia Henderson’s Need Theory?
Nurses are considered substitute, supplementary, or complementary to the patient, assisting them in becoming independent and helping with activities crucial to health or recovery.