Orem's Nursing Conceptual Model - Essay Example

"Orem’s Nursing Conceptual Model" is a great example of a paper on care. Dorothea Orem is a nursing scientist who perilously thought of a theory that guides nurses in providing professional service to patients. The nursing theory is considered to be effective through its efficacy in caring and how it guides the disciplinary growth in nurses. According to scientific and theoretical knowledge, nurses operating in a health center should learn to be autonomous professionals. Orem successfully came up with a conceptual framework widely known as ‘Self-care deficit nursing theory’ (Timmins, 2005). She has an exceptionally illustrated and identified function of the nursing profession through her theory.

Overview of Orem's Nursing Conceptual Mode

The framework of the self-care deficit theory was initiated by Orem in 1959 (Timmins, 2005). The changing medical environment has caused the theory to evolve to suit with the changing factors in the nurses’ profession. The theory of nursing was formulated and expressed by Orem in the early 1980s (Hoeman, 2008). In explaining the theory to the public, Orem states her theory as the basis that makes nurses value the quality of self-care, which is therapeutic in sustaining life and the health of patients. ‘Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory’ that relates to Nursing is a conceptual model. The theory is elaborated in 3 linked theories such as the ‘theory of self-care’, ‘the theory of self-care deficit’ and ‘the theory of nursing systems’ (Timmins, 2005).

How the Nursing Conceptual Model Incorporates Metaparadigm

A metaparadigm is a concept that is exceptionally general and is believed to have the capability of defining an entire world of contemplation. Jacqueline Fawcett was an inventor of the four basic metaparadigms of nursing in her book. The four basic metaparadigms are person, nursing, environment, and health.

1. Person

This paradigm refers to the ailing persons as a subject rather than a patient, and an individual in the full sense of the world. Examples of this paradigm are families and social groups that involve and classify a person aptly. The person meant in the paradigm is perceived as a distinctive and autonomous individual. This person should be cared for with a lot of caution and concern to prevent any impairment. A true and real person should not only be a simple entity of professional care and observation but a caring individual (Daniels, 2004).

2. Nursing

The name ‘nursing’ is a meta-theory that assists in explaining and supporting contextualize nursing. Slevin perceives nursing as caring, which might not seem to be true and appropriate to some individuals. This paradigm refers to any ‘hands-on’ remedial healing from a nurse to a patient in the medical centers. Nursing is also referred to as empathy, which emphasizes the significance of nurses to have the virtue of loving and caring (Hoeman, 2008). The paradigm calls for nurses to be individuals who are compassionate in their profession to be effective. A number of individuals have perceived it as an ethical and emotional paradigm that should be the basis and foundation of nurse professionalism. 

3. Environment

The metaparadigm defines the full context of health and nursing topics and areas in the medical surroundings. It refers to the aspects that affect the recovery of the patients in health centers by influencing the time an individual will get well. The context that tends to define the impact of healing, are psychological condition, habits and addictions, dwelling life, and chances of deterioration. The above-mentioned factors stimulate a patient’s desire of recovering and getting well quickly. Other environmental features that influence the recovery of a patient are the societal and cultural extent such as sacred beliefs and feelings toward grief and anguish.   

4. Health

It is a meta paradigm that is exceptionally general in nature and does not deal with health when critically analyzed and evaluated in a clinical environment. Health concerns the welfare of nurses as a medical professional. Nurses are individuals who are highly esteemed and should not be undermined and perceived as mere adjuncts to doctors.  The paradigm also defines health in the following terms ‘negotiated and contextual’ by Slevin. Moreover, health is referred as an absolute concept but is well understood under the concept of Health problems of persons.

3 Ways in which Orem nursing conceptual model improves nursing practice like in diabetes, myocardial infarction, and obesity

Firstly, Orem’s nursing conceptual model improves nursing practice by providing counseling and psychotherapy to patients suffering from diabetes, myocardial infarction, and obesity. The basis of this model requires nurses and doctors to be caring and affectionate. These virtues are critically significant since obesity, diabetes and myocardial infarction patients are emotionally tormented; hence require caring and understanding (Daniels, 2004). 

Secondly, Orem’s nursing conceptual model improves nursing practice by collecting relevant information about the patient’s diseases such as diabetes, myocardial infarction, and obesity. The data collected should major on the patients’ self-care agency and their self-care stipulates (Timmins, 2005). This aids the nurses to know the exact diseases or problem disturbing the patients. Diseases such as diabetes, myocardial infarction, and obesity are well treated when the precise problem is known earlier in order for proper prescription and self-care needs.

Thirdly, Orem’s nursing conceptual model improves nursing practice by treating the diagnosed diseases in a considerate and understandable manner. Diseases such as diabetes require a caring nurse that shows concern to the patient (Daniels, 2004). A patient will comprehend the necessary prescription when he/she is explained in an easy and caring manner. Treating myocardial infarction needs proper medical care that is provided and explained in Orem’s nursing conceptual model (Daniels, 2004).

Conclusion

Orem's Nursing Conceptual Mode has positively affected the nursing profession globally. The ways in which the nursing conceptual model integrates meta paradigm thought and how it could be used to improve nursing practice are assessed (Nieswiadomy, 2008). Consequently, nurses in health care should incorporate Orem’s nursing conceptual model to improve the services they offer to patients.

 

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