Nursing Theorists

I have read and utilized some of the following theories from some classic nursing theorists

Person can refer to the patient himself or herself. In the metaparadigm of nursing, person refers to more than just the patient, but also the family members, friends, relatives, and caregivers from the home setting. The nurse’s goal when caring for the patient is to nurture and empower the patient to manage their own health. Dorthea Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory (SCDNT) supports this idea of empowering the person of the metaparadigm concept. Orem states that if the person is unable to take care of themselves then others must provide the care (Alligood, 2014). Orem states that individuals are subject to the forces of nature and her theory of self-care deficit states that

Description of Theory: Ida Orlando developed the theory that nurses are people who act deliberately. “Orlando’s theory is a reflective practice theory that is based on discovering and resolving problematic situations. If the problem is not discovered, it cannot be solved. The centrality of the patient is ever present when using Orlando’s theory (Schmieding, 1983).”

Additionally, they provide care to support and achieve the optimum health of the residents of the community as well. Nurses goals and objectives are disease prevention and changing the behavior of the individual in respect to their health. Because nurses deal with the health and well-being of their patients, they continuously render a balance between performing their task and minimizing mistakes as much as possible. A bedside nurse, role is to protect the patient, that should be their priority. This is a primary role among healthcare team members so that they can achieve the best outcomes and wellbeing of their patients. The first and foremost nursing role and primary should first focus on protecting their patient because it has been the paramount since the beginning in the nursing profession. Additionally, going back to school to get updated and have intricate knowledgeable regarding their specialty amplifies the nursing role because it is a complex profession and evolves rapidly. Nurses across all settings, especially for frail elderly, should prepare themselves more for the future (Hassmiller, 2010). Nurses also need to have continuous professional development or annual training to be up to date on new policies, practices, and procedures. Furthermore, nurses continuing their education correlates to safer and higher quality patient care (Dickerson, 2010). By doing so, nurses can render the best practice and ensure that the guidelines are followed for the safety and optimum care for the patient and family members. Hassmiller (2010) states that nurse should participate to redesign nursing education because “All nurses need to possess basic competencies to meet the demands of an aging and diverse society with an emphasis on clinical training in multiple setting across the lifespan” (Hassmiller, 2010). Moreover, the education should

"The Goal of education is to teach one to think like a nurse, to see the world of healthcare through the lens of nursing and to

The biopsychosocial model of health is a multidimensional approach to health (Lecture 1, 2014). It focuses not only on the biology or physiology of a person, but also includes the psychology of a person and the manner in which society and culture influence health as well (Gurung, 2014). It was developed in the 21st century as an important theoretical framework to approaching health and medicine (Richtig, Trapp, Kapfhamer, Jenull, Richtig & Trapp, 2016).This approach makes the assumption that the mind and body connection is not only relevant but also vital to a person’s entire well being. It takes a holistic approach when treating an individual and can improve health in the

The Model was developed in the UK, initially as an educational tool. (citeHolland) It builds upon Anthony Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (1954) which orders human needs from basic to complex. (citeaggelton). In this theory unless basic physiological and safety needs are met (such as food, water and shelter) people are unable to express themselves intellectually, artistically and creatively. The Model shares similarities with Virginia Henderson’s work from the 1960s. Henderson developed a notion of 14 universal human needs, and defined nursing as assisting the patient in meeting these needs (POTTER 2008). For Roper et al people are understood best in terms of the activities they carry out and the interactions between these and the environment. (aggelton). The Model is patient focused, with the patient and their health needs being

In Orem’s theory, there are two perspectives, from a patient’s and nursing perspective. The study will focus on the patient aspect. The purpose of Orem’s theory is for individuals to change their behaviors and “their environments to regulate factors that affect their own development and functioning, in the interests of life, health, or well-being” (Nunnery, K.R., 2016, p.39). The overall principle of this model is that individuals need to be determined to make changes for themselves and their surroundings to be able to have a healthier life

Over the course of the years following its coming to fruition the theory has remained predominantly unchanged, with the exception of minor changes in order to maintain relevance with the time period. Three theories are engrained within the grand theory, these theories are as follows: theory of self-care, self-care deficit, and nursing system. The focus of Orem’s self-care theory is for patients to maintain a state of wellness by completing activities in order to maintain said state and to provide support when needed (Pearson,2008). According to Borji, Otaghi, Kazembeigi (2017), “implementation of Orem’s self-care model resulted in a significant increase in self-care score in five aspects of diet, physical activity, blood glucose monitoring, medicine diet, drug, and diabetic foot care”. This can include eating a healthy diet, exercise and other actions that may prevent a negative effect on their health. Care delivered with the application of Orem’s theory involves both the nurse and the patient in collaboration (Rice,2006). The nurse’s role is to provide education, support, and assistance if need be, but

My personal philosophy is nursing the act of assisting patients in their decisions to self-care for their health. The act of nursing composes of four main elements (or core competencies), which are patients, environment, health, and nursing interventions. The nurse should understand these basic skills to bring a quality and patient – centered service to patients. And as soon as the nursing student is granted a privilege or license to practice nursing, she or he has the moral and legal duty and obligation to his or her patient and nursing

The theory emphasizes the importance of a broad base of education, acceptance, and caring behaviors in nursing, expanding on the scientific roots of the profession. Solutions and insights come from science, art, culture, personal, spiritual, and ethical experiences and knowledge. The theory puts importance on each patient’s unique experiences, perceptions and beliefs. It encourages the creation of meaningful, educating experiences and interactions between the nurse and patient, in which each participant benefits. As stated on WatsonCaringScience.org:

* It is the goal of nursing to promote adaptation in situations and thus promote health, quality of life or dignified death.

During my nursing education and nursing career, I have studied the major nursing theories.  Some of them include Nightingale’s Environmental Theory, Watson’s Philosophy and Science of Caring, Orem’s Theory of Self-Care, and Erickson’s Modeling and Role-Modeling Theory. My nursing focus is on inpatient mental health.  The theorist that is most relevant to my work is Jean Watson’s theory of caring.  Watson (1998) states “Caring and healing by their very nature are concerned with wholeness. Wholeness by its very nature is concerned with interconnectedness and intersubjectivity” (Extended Science-Upward section, para. 1).  Another theory frequently used in psychiatric nursing is Helen C Erickson’s Modeling and Role-Modeling Theory.  Her theory states that each person has a unique perception of the world and the nurse must relate to the patient based on these unique perceptions (Sappington & Kelly, 1996).  There are other nursing theories that integrate in my practice, but these two theories create the foundation of my nursing care.

Across disciplines, theoretical frameworks guide everyday practice (De Chesnay & Anderson, 2016). Nursing, as a profession based on caring, has a calling to advocate for the betterment of humanity, but we cannot stand alone in this effort. Interdisciplinary efforts are key to ensuring forward progress toward social justice goals. This paper will include a discussion of several theoretical frameworks that are associated with social justice, including critical social theory, liberation theology, Leininger’s Theory of Culture Care, and Cockerham’s Health Lifestyle Theory. From social science and theology to nursing, these theories will tie together to develop an advanced practice nursing role that effectively promotes social justice.

Dorothea Elizabeth Orem was a nursing theorist and as mentioned above is the creator of the self-care deficit nursing theory, commonly known as the Orem model of nursing. Her theory is composed of three