Nursing Theory

Introduction

Nursing Theory Paper

NURS 306 – Theoretical Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice

Purpose of Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is designed to allow the student an opportunity to complete an in-depth and analysis of a nursing theory/model. Analysis of the theory coupled with application to a clinical scenario is intended to demonstrate the relevance of nursing theories to professional practice.

Approach to Assignment

First, I needed to understand what a nursing theory was by learning its definition. Theory is a coherent group of general propositions used as principles of explanation. I began this assignment by reading and reviewing different nursing theorists and comparing them to my own nursing practice. I was able to select one nursing theory and did an in-depth analysis of the theory. The analysis of the theory with I choose, coupled with the application to a clinical scenario is intended to demonstrate the relevance of nursing theories to professional practice.

Reason for Inclusion

This assignment gave me an opportunity to become acquainted with and explore several nursing philosophies, theories models, and theorists. By clarifying a number of nursing theories this assignment gave me a new understanding of how the application of nursing theory has impacted the profession of the years. I was able to review literature, apply theory to clinical practice, and relate theory to my own personal philosophy.

Critical Thinking

Uses nursing and other appropriate theories and models to guide professional practice.

I choose the Self-Care Deficit Theory (SCDT) by Dorothea E. Orem for my theory application paper. I enjoyed learning about Dorothea Orem and the creation of her SCD Theory. It made good common sense to me and it can be applied in a variety of patient populations. It is a general theory combining concepts to produce a different perspective of clinical problem solving. It can be generalized and applied to the improvement of health in the numerous patient populations.

Nursing Practice

Demonstrates an awareness of complementary modalities and their usefulness in promoting health.

Dorothea E. Orem’s SCDT is a needs theorist, who produced a theory which can apply in any patient population. The SCDT identifies every individual as unique, not everyone fits into the same mold or nursing care plan. The personal knowledge of an individual regarding their health directly impacts their own well-being and the nurse is an important part of that education. The SCDT is a combination of related pieces. Self-care is based on the activities of daily living which every individual performs for themselves to maintain their own lives and their own health. Self-care agency is the individual’s ability to perform that care for ones-self which is affected by differing factors such as age, physical development, financial situation, family and other available community resources.

Communication

Uses therapeutic communication within the nurse-patient relationship.

The SCDT becomes necessary when the patient can’t fulfill their own basic biological, psychological, and developmental or social needs. This theory relates to my own clinical practice area in numerous different aspects. Each new admission to detox has their own personal self-care deficit and this theory can be applied at any stage. Through assessment of an individual I can assist the patient either wholly, partially, or supportively through communication within the nursing-patient relationship. A detox client’s Universal Self-Care Requisites are out of balance. At any given time with each admission to detox numerous Therapeutic Self-Care Demands (TS-CD) can be identified within this patient population.

Teaching

Provided teaching to patients and/or professionals about health care procedures and technologies in preparation for the following nursing or medical interventions.

The most prevalent issue of TS-CD I encounter with detox patients is dehydration. The main outcome is to increase the amount of fluids consumed and the goal to achieve is improved hydration. The objective is for the patient to verbalize understanding of the importance of hydration by voluntarily increasing their consumption of fluids. The method of assistance is by helping to education, provide guidance, support and an optimal environment for health improvement. The objectives implemented in cooperation from patient is to increase fluid intake with an understanding for required change to their requisite fulfillment. The patient would acknowledge the importance of proper fluid intake for their own wellbeing, and the Self-Care Deficit would be addresses with their increase of adequate fluid intake and adequate hydration.

Research

Evaluates research that focuses on the efficacy and effectiveness of nursing interventions.

The SCDT theory is based on helping individuals to fulfill their own physical and mental needs. The article I chose for this assignment focused on the development of a supportive-education program based on the SCDT for individuals and their families experiencing the effects of heart failure. The article discusses how the use of SCDT provided a clear framework for the complex symptoms and treatments involved with treating heart failure and the implications for everyone personally involved. The article reviews how the SCDT addresses all sides of the process through their physical symptoms, the personal impact, and social aspects effecting individuals with this specific diagnose.