Concept of Nursing Theories Essay Example
NURSING THEORIES CORE CONCEPTS
Nursing theory is still a young field and as such, it continues to evolve as new knowledge is gained. There are numerous theories of nursing, each of which took years to develop and most of which continue to evolve and adapt. There are commonalities between and among the existing theries although each may focus more heavily on different aspects f responsibilities. It has to do with the philosophical foundations for each theory. Moore (2008) reported a nursing metaparadigm of four basic concepts: “person, health, environment, and nursing.” Another author suggested the core concepts of nursing theory and practice are caring, assessment, teaching and learning, collaboration, managing care, communication and professional behaviors (Opperman Med Law Consulting, 2008). These core concepts as identified by these two authors can be foind in some fashion in all nursing theories. Focusing on care, assessment, envirment and managing care, one can look to Dorothea Orem’s ‘self-care deficit nursing theory’. Orem believed that everyone really wanted to take care of themselves and when they are unable to do so, a deficit exists (Horan, Doran and Timmins, 2004). It is at this point the individual seeks assistance and it is the nurse’s responsibility to assess the individual’s needs and to design a support program to meet those needs, thereby eliminating the deficit (Horan, Doran and Timmins, 2004). Orem identified the concepts that compromise the nursing paradigm as “human beings, environment, health, and nursing” (Bridge, Cabell and Herring, 2005, p.4). She incorporated the environment into the theory along with numerous other factors and variables, all of which would fit the core concepts initially identified. In this model the nurse assesses the patient’s problems including the many environmental factors that influence and impact the patient’s life and how these factors interact. The goal is to help educate the patient as well as
Nursing theory is still a young field and as such, it continues to evolve as new knowledge is gained. There are numerous theories of nursing, each of which took years to develop and most of which continue to evolve and adapt. There are commonalities between and among the existing theries although each may focus more heavily on different aspects f responsibilities. It has to do with the philosophical foundations for each theory. Moore (2008) reported a nursing metaparadigm of four basic concepts: “person, health, environment, and nursing.” Another author suggested the core concepts of nursing theory and practice are caring, assessment, teaching and learning, collaboration, managing care, communication and professional behaviors (Opperman Med Law Consulting, 2008). These core concepts as identified by these two authors can be foind in some fashion in all nursing theories. Focusing on care, assessment, envirment and managing care, one can look to Dorothea Orem’s ‘self-care deficit nursing theory’. Orem believed that everyone really wanted to take care of themselves and when they are unable to do so, a deficit exists (Horan, Doran and Timmins, 2004). It is at this point the individual seeks assistance and it is the nurse’s responsibility to assess the individual’s needs and to design a support program to meet those needs, thereby eliminating the deficit (Horan, Doran and Timmins, 2004). Orem identified the concepts that compromise the nursing paradigm as “human beings, environment, health, and nursing” (Bridge, Cabell and Herring, 2005, p.4). She incorporated the environment into the theory along with numerous other factors and variables, all of which would fit the core concepts initially identified. In this model the nurse assesses the patient’s problems including the many environmental factors that influence and impact the patient’s life and how these factors interact. The goal is to help educate the patient as well as