NURS 300 Professional Transitions In Nursing

The discipline of nursing has evolved over time since its inception leading to the development of certain theories and models that guide its practice through application of independent and case suited appropriate modalities of nursing interventions. A nursing theory refers to a set of coherent concepts, relationships, definitions, propositions and assumptions derived from specific nursing models or other domains that are utilized as principles of explanation by virtue of deductive as well as inductive reasoning. Projection of a tentative, decisive and systematic observation of phenomena is obtained through these theories put forward by the pioneers in this discipline. Interrelated concepts govern the perspective of perceiving a certain phenomenon through logical understanding that may be generalized. Further these theories form the foundation of the hypotheses that may be tested. Moreover they are consistent with other pertinent validated theories, guidelines and principles leaving enough scope for subsequent investigation and analysis (Alligood, 2014).

Till date a number of nursing theories have been put forward by eminent theorists based on and impacted by broadly applicable validated principles and relevant processes. In this context, the Self-Care Deficit theory may be cited as a significant nursing theory proposed by Dorothea E. Orem in the year 1971. The theory emphasizes on the fact that nursing care becomes essential when the patient is unable to fulfill the psychological, social, biological or developmental needs. Depending upon the generalization of principles, Orem’s theory may be categorized as Grand theory that provides a conceptual framework underneath which the vital concepts and principles related to the nursing discipline may be recognized. Identification of the explicit objectives and detailed approaches conceived to achieve these goals are carried out in course of this theory. Therefore, it becomes much easier and feasible for adapting this theory to various healthcare settings whereby the nurses and patients may work in coalition to attain the optimum outcomes out of specific nursing care interventions. Applicability of this theory in the situation of nurse practitioner may be achieved following appropriate measures that will be discussed eventually (Alligood, 2013).

Description, prediction and explanation in the pursuit of nursing are rendered by the nursing theory. Provisions for the foundation of nursing practice thereby aiding in the generation of additional knowledge indicative of the discourse and specific pathway to be adopted for future nursing care are put forward by these theories. Bridging the gap between existing knowledge and the lacunae in information is offered by the nursing theory through explicit description that helps in making distinguished effects. Maintenance of professional boundaries is carried out by means of following of these nursing theories (Weiss & Tappen, 2014). Therefore inclusion of studying nursing theory should be made mandatory in master’s program related to nursing curriculum for the purpose of gaining an insight into the concepts and assumptions that exerts its influence thereby guiding the course of the vocation of nursing. Usefulness of nursing theories may be effectively described under the pretext of four major concepts encompassing the person (patient), the environment, health and ultimately the nursing practice inclusive of the goals, functions and roles of the nurses associated with the performance of the duties relevant to the care of the patient. However the focal theme of attention and introspection is concerned with the person upon whom the necessary nursing care interventions are applicable. In such situations of patient handling, these nursing theories impart positive influences to make informed decisions in nursing profession (Holmes, 2016).

Unlike any other healthcare profession the nursing discipline is quite distinct in which the various theories and propositions are directly applied in professional practice so as to procure the optimal benefits out of such guiding principles during definite work scenarios. The nursing theories act to direct assessment, intervention and evaluation pertaining to nursing care by means of assisting the nurses in describing, explaining and predicting the everyday experiences. In order to account for effective decision making and implementation in case of nursing it is imperative to collect valid and reliable data concerning the health status of the patient and the rationale behind this is presented by the nursing theory. Assistance in terms of measuring the quality of nursing care in addition to development of a common terminology with the aim of effectively communicating with other healthcare professionals are delivered by the propositions of the theory. Definition generated through the theories with regards to the independent functions in nursing results in enhanced autonomy of the profession (Butts & Rich, 2013). However, the appropriate usage of nursing theory within the profession might be challenging at times as the theories do not necessarily render similar sort of procedural guidelines for practice as offered by the circumstance-specific principles and procedures or rules (Sabra, 2014).

The chosen nursing theory bears the name of Self-Care Deficit theory and Dorothea Orem is credited with the authorship of proposing this theory. The theory came into first publication in the year 1971 in the book called Nursing: Concepts of Practice. The latest edition of the selected nursing theory is available in the same book published in the year 2001.

The major assumptions related to the selected theory include:

• People need to be self-reliant and hold responsibilities on matter related to own care as well as care pertinent to others in need of care in the family.
• People are considered as distinct individuals.
• Nursing is considered as a form of action that involves the mutual interaction and communication including two or more persons.
• Effective address of universal in conjunction with improvisation of self-care requisites is regarded as a vital aspect of primary care, prevention strategies and mitigation of ill health.
• Promotion of self-care behaviors is directly related to the amount of knowledge a person possesses regarding potential health problems.
• Socio-cultural context helps in facilitating and inducing learned behaviors concerning self care and dependent care (Smith & Parker, 2015).

The proposition of the selected nursing theory emphasizes and holistically addresses each of the vital concepts including the person, health, environment and nursing profession linked to nursing.

Person: Human beings have the ability to reflect, utilize and use symbols. They are projected as a total being having universal, developmental needs and are capable of continuous self-care that perform as a solitary entity by performing biological, social and symbolic functions. Under circumstances of health related or health derived limitations a person face issues in the continuation of self-care thereby resulting in insufficient care provision are liable to be included for receiving effective care through nursing services. Therefore nursing care is applicable only in cases where the self care requirements exceed the self care capabilities.

Health: Synonymously used to describe the living entities when they are capable of working with integrity following structural and functional implications. Interactions relevant to other human beings are considered for operation in coalition with the physiological and psycho-physiological mechanisms.

Environment: It consists of physical, chemical and biological features that include the family, community as well as the culture.

Nursing: It is an art by virtue of which the nursing practitioner engages in providing specialized assistance to the persons in need in order to fulfill the requirement of self care. Participation of the nurses in fostering effective healthcare facility is carried out by the nursing professionals.

Hence, the theory of self-care deficit lays adequate importance on specifying the situations in which nursing care is essential. The provision of nursing is found to be effective when the adult is incapacitated or limited in the serving of continuous efficient health care. Empathetic actions, guidance, support, proper teaching along with training in conjunction with an environment congenial to the promotion of personal development so as to fulfill the future needs and demands are prioritized by the nursing theories (O’shaughnessy, 2014).

The self-care deficit nursing theory helps to identify the self-care deficits and subsequently define the roles relevant to patients or nurses necessary to fulfill the self-care requisites. Corroborating with the interpersonal and social needs, the nursing process is framed in a manner to co-ordinate with the nursing situations. The nursing process to resolve the issue and obtain maximum benefits generally takes into consideration three essential steps that are followed in cascade. The steps involved include assessment through collection of pertinent data, diagnosis and preparation of a proper nursing plan followed by evaluation and implementation. Hence, the nurse practitioners are entitled to perform their duties while client’s therapeutic self care demands exceed available self-care agency.

Examination of the relationship between selected basic conditioning factors, self-care behaviors or self-care agency among adolescent girls suffering from dysmenorrhea. Findings revealed that factors related to age and received menstrual education impart both direct as well as indirect effects by means of advocating self-care agency on self-care behaviors. However direct influences on self-care behavior were affected by factors such as the educational level of the father and mother, pain intensity and self-medication used while experiencing dysmenorrheal. All these implied clinical relevance that might lead to the effective adoption of interventional strategies that in turn will lead to the promotion of self-care behaviors among adolescent girls (Wong et al., 2015).

Quality of life care of patients undergoing radiotherapy in post breast cancer operation condition was studied by utilizing the chosen theory. Orem self-control pattern was applicable to the treatment group while the control group received conventional nursing care. Results showed that significant improvements with respect to the self-care ability coupled with quality of life occurred in case of the treatment groups when compared against the control group. Propelling of quicker rehabilitation through completion of functional exercises on the diseased limbs following breast cancer operation enhanced the quality of life thereby improving the well being of the patients by following the Orem’s self-care pattern through properly acknowledging the deficits (Chunyi, Ying & Juan, 2014).

The self-care deficit theory in the context of nursing profession holds profound implications as it caters to the universal self-care requisites that are integral in maintaining the activities of daily living through integration of the human structuring and functioning. Summarizing the assumptions of the theory it may be stated that the focal theme considers self reliance as the chief guiding factor that promotes the self-care behavior among the concerned persons thereby preventing ill health and facilitating well being. Therefore, in course of doing the assignment I gained pertinent knowledge and valuable information relevant to nursing theories and their purpose of studying by incorporating in the nursing curriculum. Moreover I came to know about the application of the selected nursing theory in the domain of a nurse practitioner and relevant healthcare settings. Furthermore, definite examples related to the self-care deficit theory widened my horizon regarding the potential applications of the theory in potential healthcare disciplines adjunct to medical interventions. Thus, the writing of the assignment enlightened me in different ways.

Alligood, M. R. (2013). Nursing theory: Utilization & application. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Alligood, M. R. (2014). Nursing theorists and their work. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Butts, J. B., & Rich, K. L. (2013). Philosophies and theories for advanced nursing practice. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

Chunyi, J., Ying, Y., & Juan, H. (2014). Effect of Orem self-care pattern on quality of life of patients undergoing radiotherapy after breast cancer operation. Modern Clinical Nursing, 2, 013.

Holmes, C. A. (2016). Some implications of postmodernism for nursing theory, research, and practice. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research Archive, 32(2).

O’shaughnessy, M. (2014). Application of Dorothea Orem’s theory of self-care to the elderly patient on peritoneal dialysis. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 41(5), 495.

Sabra, H. (2014). Theories in Nursing Administration. Lulu. com.

Smith, M. C., & Parker, M. E. (2015). Nursing theories and nursing practice. FA Davis.

Weiss, S. A., & Tappen, R. M. (2014). Essentials of nursing leadership and management. FA Davis.

Wong, C. L., Ip, W. Y., Choi, K. C., & Lam, L. W. (2015). Examining Self?Care Behaviors and Their Associated Factors Among Adolescent Girls With Dysmenorrhea: An Application of Orem’s Self?Care Deficit Nursing Theory. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 47(3), 219-227.