Concept Comparison and Analysis Across Theories

Concept Comparison and Analysis across Theories Nursing theory is the term given to the body of knowledge applied to support nursing practice. Nursing theory is a framework designed to organize knowledge and explain phenomena in nursing, at a more concrete and specific level. A nursing theory is a set of concepts, definitions, relationships, and assumptions or propositions derived from nursing models or from other disciplines and project a purposive, systematic view of phenomena by designing specific interrelationships among concepts for the purposes of describing, explaining, predicting, and prescribing (Currentnursing.com, 2010). Core concepts embody a theory creating the basis for the theory or model. In nursing, concepts help in the development of theories. Theorists have developed different models or theories but have common core concepts. Dorothea Orems self-care deficit nursing theory The central philosophy of the Orems self-care deficit nursing theory is that patients want to care for themselves and can recover more quickly and holistically by performing their own self-care as much as they're able. The self-care requisites identified by Dorothea Orem fall into one of three categories (Currentnursing.com, 2010): 1. Universal self-care requisites. a. Air b. Water c. Food

d. Activity e. Rest f. Hazard prevention. 2. Developmental self-care requisites. a. Maturational: progresses the patient to a higher level of maturation. b. Situational: prevents against harmful effects in development. 3. Deviation requisites: needs that come up based on the patient's condition. If a patient cannot meet his or her self-care needs, then the individual has developed a self-care deficit. At this point, the nurse steps in with a varying level of support that can range from complete care, partial care, or simply educating the individual (Currentnursing.com, 2010). Virginia Hendersons need theory Henderson's goal was not to develop a theory of nursing, but rather to define the unique focus of nursing practice. The theory emphasizes the importance of increasing the patient's independence so that progress continues after hospitalization. Her emphasis on basic human needs as the central focus of nursing practice has led to further theory development regarding the needs of the patient and how nursing can assist in meeting those needs (Nursingtheory.org, 2011). Henderson identifies three major assumptions in her model of nursing. The first is that nurses care for the patient until the patient can care for him or herself. The second assumption is that nurses are willing to serve, and that nurses will devote themselves to the patient day and

night. Finally, nurses should be educated at the college level in both sciences and arts (Nursingtheory.org, 2011). Compare and Analyze the Common Core Concept The commonality between the theories of Dorothea Orem and Virginia Henderson is their attempt to define the role of nursing. Henderson is well known for her definition of nursing, which says, The unique function of the nurse is to assist the individual, sick or well, in the performance of those activities contributing to health or its recovery, or to peaceful death, that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will or knowledge (Nursingtheory.com, 2011, para. 3). The self-care deficit theory developed as a result of Dorothea E. Orem working toward her goal of improving the quality of nursing in general hospitals in her state. The theory is relatively simple, but generalizable to apply to a wide variety of patients (Nursingtheory.com, para. 1, 2011). Both theorists developed concepts that strive to define nursing as a profession. They differ in how a nurse should intervene, when nursing should support the patient, and what defines a patient in need. The difference in Henderson and Orems nursing concepts is that Hendersons need theory defines that a patient in need occurs when the individual is healthy or sick. In contrast, Orems concept requires a patient to have a self-deficit for nursing support. The concepts are applicable in different nursing settings because the goals of both concepts are the same. Virginia Hendersons need theory Applied to Nursing Practice

Henderson stated, The nurse is temporarily the consciousness of the unconscious, the love of life of the suicidal, the leg of the amputee, the eyes of the newly blind, a means of locomotion for the newborn, knowledge and confidence for the young mother, a voice for those too weak to speak, and so on (Nursingtheories.info, 2011). The nursing profession is complex because it requires the ability to identify with, or the understanding of a wide array of people. This concept demands that nurses understand the fundamental needs of individuals so that they can help the individual provide the needs that make their lives as normal and productive as possible, even during illness. Nurses, who practice according to this concept, must know how to assess the individuals daily functions, and activities such as (Yale University School of Nursing, p. 26, 2006): breathing, eating, eliminating, resting, sleeping and moving, keeping the body clean, warm and clothed, and making life more than a vegetative process by communicating with others, maintaining human relationships, learning, working and playing, or recreating. The quality of the service is limited only by the imagination, and the competence of the nurse who interprets it. Any interpretation, however; implies an individualized service given with the patients consent or in the case of an infant, the small child, the unconscious patient, or the mentally deficient, the consent of the parents or guardian (Yale University School of Nursing, 2006, p. 26). Concept statement Her definition of nursing was one of the first statements clearly delineating nursing from medicine: The unique function of the nurse is to assist the individual, sick or well, in the performance of those activities contributing to health or its recovery (or to peaceful death) that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will or knowledge. And to do this in

such a way as to help him gain independence as rapidly as possible" (Currentnursing.com, 2010). Metaparadigms Metaparadigm concepts provide the boundaries and limitations of a discipline. Disciplines are distinguished from each other by differing metaparadigm concepts. The major concepts that provide structure to the domain of nursing are person, environment, health, and nursing (Nursingtheories.info, 2011). 1. Person a. Virginia Henderson referred to a person as a patient, an individual who requires assistance to achieve health and independence or in some cases, a peaceful death (Nursingtheories.info, 2011). b. Virginia Henderson introduced the concept of the mind and body of a person as inseparable. For a person to function to the utmost, he must be able to maintain physiological and emotional balance (Nursingtheories.info, 2011). 2. Health a. Henderson viewed health as a quality of life and is very basic for a person to function fully (Nursingtheories.info, 2011). b. It is a multifactor phenomenon influenced by both internal and external factors. c. Virginia Henderson gave emphasis in prioritizing health promotion as more important that care of the sick (Nursingtheories.info, 2011).

3. Environment a. All the external conditions and influences that affect life and development (Nursingtheories.info, 2011). b. It is important for a healthy individual to control the environment, but as illness occurs,

this ability is diminished or affected. Caring for the sick is important for the nurse to help the patient manage his surroundings to protect him from harm or any mechanical injury (Nursingtheories.info, 2011). c. Nurses must provide physicians with data about the safety needs of the patient (Nursingtheories.info, 2011). 4. Nursing a. Virginia Henderson emphasized that nurses function independently from the physician, but they must promote the treatment plan prescribed by the physician (Nursingtheories.info, 2011). b. The nurse is to help both the sick and well individual (Nursingtheories.info, 2011). c. The care given by the nurse must empower the patient to become self-sufficient as soon as possible (Nursingtheories.info, 2011). d. The nurse must be knowledgeable in both biological and social sciences and must have the ability to assess basic human needs (Nursingtheories.info, 2011). Philosophy

The philosophy reflected in Henderson's theory is an integrated approach to scientific study that would capitalize on nursing's richness and complexity and not to separate the art from the science, the doing of nursing from the knowing, the psychological from the physical and the theory from clinical care (Vahenderson2010.blogspot.com, para. 2, 2010). Conceptual model The conceptual model of nursing developed by Henderson followed the humanistic approach in which it emphasized the caring of the sick, the incapable, and even the dying. It stressed more on what the nurses should do and who should they take care of and thus belongs to the reciprocal interaction world view category (Vahenderson2010.blogspot.com, para. 3, 2010). Conclusion Nursing provides the actions taken to promote, maintain, and recover an individuals health. Orems Self-care Model demonstrated the role of nursing in caring for an individual. Nursing provides the interventions required to help an individual back to self-care or optimal health and well-being. Virginia Henderson did not intend to formulate a theory. Her definitions of nursing, person, health, and environment are considered a grand theory or philosophy that we are using today (Nursingtheories.info, 2011). According to The Official Journal of the International Orem Society (2008), Dorothea Orem believed that A clear concept of nursing would not only help to clarify the nurses role and enable more productive use of the nurses time on behalf of patients but also could provide a basis for identifying true nursing outcomes (Allison, 2008, p. 49). These devoted theorists recognized nursing as a profession. They identified a need to define the role of the nurse, and they acknowledged the variety of the nursing

profession. Even though their definitions differ, the patient was always in the forefront, and most important. The nursing profession holds a debt of gratitude for their devotion, diligence, and perseverance.

References Allison, E. (2008, January). Self-care and Dependent-care Nursing. The Official Journal of the International Orem Society, 16(1), 49. Retrieved from http://tucnak.fsv.cuni.cz/~kabele/Rican/Harre_Positioning/Harr%E9_Postioning.pdf Currentnursing.com (2010). Dorothea Orems Theory. Retrieved from http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/self_care_deficit_theory.html Currentnursing.com (2010). Virginia Hendersons Need Theory. Retrieved from http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/Henderson.html Henderson's Need Theory. (2011). Retrieved from http://nursing-theory.org/theories-andmodels/henderson-need-theory.php Nursing Theorist: Virginia Henderson. (2010). Retrieved from http://vahenderson2010.blogspot.com Theoretical Models and Frameworks of Nursing. (2011). Retrieved from http://nursingtheories.info/virginia-henderson-theory-of-nursing-14-basic-needs/ Yale University School of Nursing, . (2006). The Concept of Nursing. The Journal of Advanced Nursing, 53(1), 21-34. Retrieved from http://www.docstoc.com/docs/34878766/Theconcept-of-nursing

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