A core concept across nursing theories - Research Paper Example

?Running head: Core concept across nursing theories A Core Concept across Nursing Theories A Core Concept across Nursing Theories Introduction Core concepts are the ideals upon which any practice is based. For most professions, core concepts are distinct to each, with practices like biology, sociology and psychology having their own concepts specifically applicable to their practice. These concepts are broadly defined in their metaparadigm, and such metaparadigms comprise of several major concepts (Daniels and Daniels, 2004). Such metaparadigms are considered to be the boundaries or limits of any practice. This is not much different in the nursing practice. The core concepts or metaparadigm of nursing, according to Fawcett (1984, as cited by Daniels and Daniels, 2004) include: person, environment, health, and nursing. These concepts help define and shape the nursing practice. While theorists have come up with different models for the practice in each area of nursing care, there are common concepts or threads to all these areas of nursing practice. Regardless of the area of nursing involved, the nurse will still be concerned with the following concepts: person, the environment, health, and nursing. In recent times, the concept of care has been included as an essential concept of nursing because it is crucial to the delivery of efficient nursing care (Daniels and Daniels, 2004). With these above considerations, this paper shall now identify a core concept which cuts across nursing theories. It shall compare and analyze the concept definitions based on the selected contemporary theories while considering the practical applications of these core concepts. Discussion A core concept which is common to two contemporary theories is the concept of nursing. This concept applies to the theories laid out by Dorothea Orem and Virginia Henderson. In her theory, Orem acknowledged the four concepts which comprise the nursing metaparadigm. She further defined human beings as “an integrated whole composed of an internal physical, psychologic, and social nature with varying degrees of self care ability (Chinn and Kramer, 2004). She also emphasizes that human beings are also self-care agents with different interdependent parts, which, when functionally sound, leads to contentment, pleasure, and happiness. When considering the concept of nursing, Orem sets forth that it is an art by which the nurse can deliver specialized care to individuals with disabilities requiring special assistance in compliance with daily needs for self-care (McLaughlin-Renpenning, 2002). In effect, nursing considers actions which are specifically chosen and delivered by nurses to guide individuals under their care in the sustenance and management of conditions in themselves or their general environment (Orem, 1985). In other words, the nursing conceptualization under Orem’s theory is founded on self-care and management; such care and management which is supported by a holistic nursing of the person’s needs and disabilities. Nursing under Orem is also based on nursing agency and nursing systems theory. These are elements which make up the nursing practice under the metaparadigm concept of ‘nursing.’ According to Orem, nursing agency is the human power and action qualities related to nursing practice. Its exercise includes the establishment of the legitimacy of a relationship; initial operationalization of interpersonal systems; and diagnosis related to patient variables (Bridge, Cabell, and Herring, n.d). The nursing systems theory emphasizes that nursing systems are seen when the nurses adopt and deliver care which manages a patient’s individual and self-care capabilities – and such care then applies to therapeutic self-care requirements (Kozier, Erb, and Blais, 1997). Orem also emphasizes the fact that humans need constant inputs in order to remain alive; that human agency is practiced through care of self and others; that mature humans experience hardships through the restrictions in their self-care; and that human agency is concerned with discovering and transmitting means to identify needs and present inputs to other people (Bridge, Cabell, and Herring, n.d). Nursing systems already include the self-care deficit model and assists individuals in meeting their self-care needs. Virginia Henderson also shares the nursing concepts set forth by Orem in her theory. Henderson points out that through the acceptance of health care as a human right, the different national and international systems have been set forth for the protection of people’s health (Henderson, 2006). Despite the variety of sources now available for patients, the best preparation for nurses will always have to include that which gives the patients the better understanding of humanity and the world. Nursing, as conceptualized by Virginia Henderson, is based on emotional and psychic support offered by nurses. In some ways, these nurses are known to be professional mothers who are highly concerned with the psychological aspects of human welfare (Henderson, 2006). Henderson also highlights the importance of psychiatric nursing and of providing for the physiological needs, as well as the emotional needs of the patient. The nurse is able to achieve her goals by caring for the patient’s immediate needs and then assisting him directly or indirectly in meeting his personal needs (Henderson, 2006). The majority of nursing is related to physical care, however, it now also includes assisting the patient in achieving behavioral integrity through psychological and social care. Henderson (2006) also highlights the importance of caring for the patient’s family and community groups involved in the patient’s care. By noting such aspects, it is possible for the patient to reach a more holistic development and treatment (Henderson, 2006). Individualized care was also highlighted by Henderson in the delivery of nursing care. According to her, once these aspects of the patient’s health are included in the nursing planning process, the patient can then adequately recover from his illness. Henderson also specified that the basic needs of a patient include the need to maintain physiological balance, to adjust to the environment, to communicate, and to participate in the social interaction (Daniels and Daniel, 2004s). She also sets forth that it is important for the nurse to assist the patient transition from dependence to independence; in other words, to assist the patient in his daily activities and to eventually teach and guide him in performing these activities independent of nursing help, and free from his relative’s assistance. In relation to the ‘nursing’ core concept, the above theories share common ideals. Orem explains that nursing relates to the actions which are specifically chosen and performed by the nurses in order to assist individuals or groups under their care and to sustain conditions in themselves and their environments (Current Nursing, 2010). In Henderson’s definition, nurses assist individuals, both sick and well in carrying out the activities which contribute to their well-being and recovery – activities, which they would not have been able to perform without assistance (Current Nursing, 2010). These concepts are similar to each other because nursing emotional support is present in both theories in order to assist the patient in reaching the best level of health. Individuals going through difficulties in caring for themselves are defined by Orem as individuals needing nursing interventions. While Henderson’s concept sets forth that nursing is a necessity when the individual is sick; Orem on the other hand, sets forth that only patients with self-deficits have a need for nursing support and care. These concepts can be applied in opposing nursing settings because the goals for both theories are still the same. Orem’s Self Care theory and self-care model utilizes the metaparadigms of nursing, person, environment and health. Orem emphasized that logical positivism covered the philosophy of modern realism and her theory and her model is composed of self-care, self-care deficit, and nursing system (Toothacker, 2010). Self-care is about applying activities which an individual performs for the benefit of his own care and well-being (Current Nursing, 2010). Self-care deficit needs more nursing action; and when a person is unable to provide the care essential for his adequate functioning, nursing steps in to fill in the gap (Fitzpatrick and Whall, 2005). Nursing system differentiates how the nurse and/or the patient meet an individual’s essential needs. In the actual practice, self-care refers to the ability of an individual to perform activities and to independently maintain his care. Those who cannot carry out their activities suffer from self-care deficits. In this case, nursing care is essential. Nurses plan interventions in order to deliver or assist in self-care actions to sustain health or recover from an illness (Taylor, LeMone, Lillis, and Lynn, 2008). In effect, nursing fulfills the needs of individuals by teaching and supporting the changes which are needed to support the patient’s ability to support and care for himself. Conclusion The common concept seen in this paper was nursing, which is needed in Henderson’s and Orem’s nursing theories. Nursing delivers the actions needed to promote and maintain an individual’s health. Orem’s self-care model illustrated the important function of nursing in caring for a patient. Henderson’s theory also points out the importance of helping the patient gradually gain independence. In other words, nursing sets forth the essential remedies and interventions which would assist the individual in gaining independence and overall optimum health and well-being. Both theories are based on the contemporary notion of helping the patient gain independence and to assist him in returning to his former activities and condition prior to his illness. The importance of both physiological and psychological help was also highlighted in both theories. In effect, such care allows for a comprehensive and holistic application of nursing care. Works Cited Bridge, J., Cabell, S., & Herring, B. (n.d) Dorothea Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory. Troy University. Retrieved 03 March 2011 from http://prism.troy.edu/~scabell/Orem.pdf Chinn, P. L., & Kramer, M. K. (2004). Integrated knowledge development in nursing (6th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby Current Nursing. (2010). Dorothea Orem’s Theory. Retrieved 03 March 2011 from http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/self_care_deficit_theory.html Current Nursing. (2010). Virginia Henderson’s Need Theory. Retrieved 03 March 2011 from http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/Henderson.html Daniels, R. & Daniels, R. (2004) Nursing fundamentals: caring & clinical decision making. California: Cengage Learning Fitzpatrick, J. J., & Whall, A. (2005). Conceptual Models of Nursing: Analysis and Application (4 ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall. Henderson, V. (2006) The concept of nursing. Journal of Advanced Nursing, volume 53(1), pp. 21–34 Kozier, B., Erb, G., & Blais, K. (1997). Professional nursing practice concepts and perspectives (3rd ed., pp. 38-39). New York: Addison-Wesley McLaughlin-Renpenning, K., & Taylor, S. G. (2002). Self-care theory in nursing: Selected papers of Dorothea Orem. New York: Springer Orem, D.E. (1995). Nursing concepts of practice (5th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby-Year Book Taylor, C. R., LeMone, P., Lillis, C., & Lynn, P. (2008). Fundamentals of Nursing; The art and science of nursing care (6 ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Toothaker, R. (2010) Concept Comparison and Analysis Across Theories. Retrieved 03 March 2011 from http://www.scribd.com/doc/44715227/Concept-Comparison-and-Analysis-Across-Theories-Paper Read More