Introduction
The nursing theory examines nursing knowledge and practice using data reviews to retell, explain, and advance nursing practice. Younas et al. (2021) claim that Dorothea Orem’s nursing theory was divided into three components: self-care, self-care deficit, and nursing system. I picked Dorothea Orem because of her views on self-care; to be a professional in an advanced nursing capacity and provide instruction and therapy for others, one must first ensure one takes care of one’s own self-care.
In all facets of healthcare, especially in the mental health field, where I intend to pursue a career, I think self-care is crucial. Theorizing and syntax are components of theory development. Testing the theory and analyzing the results is the next step in the theory-development process.
This aligns with Orem’s theory, suggesting that an individual’s overall health improves through active engagement in self-care. Santana et al. (2020) assert that the theoretical stages aid in defining the nursing discipline. Nursing theories enable nurses to better their practice and understanding by defining and explaining their profession. The lack of the capacity to consistently maintain the level and quality of self-care that helps maintain life and health, in recovering from illness or injury, or in dealing with their repercussions is the condition that supports the existence of a nursing necessity in an adult.
Theory Development
Theorizing
I served as a curricular consultant for numerous universities. During my time as an instructor and researcher, my love for nursing developed. This served as the basis for my upcoming self-care theory (Santana et al., 2020). Each person is responsible for taking care of themselves, as well as for taking care of their family. The primary method of illness and healthcare prevention is self-care. I think that nursing involves people interacting with one another. As a nurse, I feel I am responsible for informing patients about health issues since it encourages greater self-care.
According to the self-care theory, each person is responsible for managing their health. An all-encompassing state of well-being is referred to as health. I think that learning to take care of oneself over time comes from life experiences that mold social interactions and the resources that are accessible. Taking care of oneself entails acting and changing for the better.
Syntax
Nursing involves providing patients with a wide range of known and undiscovered personal services and practices. The nurse is adaptable and takes on a variety of tasks to satisfy the needs of the patients and the doctor. I think nursing is a profession driven by a love of caring for others. Nursing is related to my self-care theory because it aims to assess, educate, and instruct patients on the value of self-care and how it can improve their lives and attitudes.
In nursing, the concept of insight refers to using one’s own knowledge and understanding to determine the best course of action. When nurses use insight, they comprehend or perceive something clearly (Marques et al., 2022). The idea of insight is related to the philosophy of self-care because a nurse can assess one’s own desire for self-care, consider the patient’s need for self-care, and inform the patient about the significance of self-care.
Testing
The self-care of puerperal teenagers was used to test this notion. In this study, it was discovered that puerperal teenagers understood the importance of self-care for their health, particularly regarding breast, surgical, and personal hygiene. Exercise, the advantages of breastfeeding, and contraception as they pertain to health were among the self-care practices that the puerperal teenagers lacked (de Lima et al., 2017).
Another study that used Dorothea Orem’s self-care philosophy involved examining senior peritoneal dialysis patients. When they were clearly instructed and guided, the old patients adequately cared for themselves. According to the study, people with greater influence over their therapy had better outcomes. This bolsters Orem’s hypothesis that the more actively a person practices self-care, the better their overall health will be.
Evaluation
The last stage of theory development is theory appraisal, claims McEwen (2019). A theory’s evaluation considers how it connects to nursing and advances nursing practice. “Can the theory be employed as a body of knowledge, or does it serve as a guide to practice?” As it conveys the significance of self-care on health, I do believe that this theory informs nursing practice and may also be used as a body of knowledge. Patients can learn more about improving their self-care from nurses. An individual’s health will improve the self-care they practice (Ali., 2018). Any patient or individual can be the subject of the study.
The theory is complete from the standpoint of emphasizing the value of self-care and its beneficial impact on an individual’s health. This idea is not sparse since it has been employed in numerous research publications to examine its impacts. The results of the Orem theory are favorable for those who are willing to change for the better, and it can be applied to a wide range of people.
Use in Practice
The implementation of Dorothea Orem’s Theory of Self-Care in the Geriatric Person on Peritoneal Dialysis illustrates how the Orem theory has been utilized to enhance practice (Santana et al., 2020). According to Orem, improved self-care is the cornerstone of successful outcomes and better health. According to this study, a patient’s general outlook and health were better the more self-care they practiced.
Orem’s notion of self-care was also utilized in the article Self-Care of Adolescents in the Puerperal Period to enhance procedures. Many patients required more instruction on different aspects of self-care. The patient improved their self-care behaviors as a result of better education about the value of self-care. Dorothea Orem’s hypothesis aids in the advancement of nursing education and knowledge. This enhances the nursing process by emphasizing the value of ongoing training and nursing practice advancements.
Conclusion
Nursing theories advance nursing knowledge and practice by further examining present and potential practices and looking for methods to improve them. The necessity of self-care and its advantages for a patient’s health are outlined in Dorothea Orem’s self-care philosophy. Individuals are responsible for their own care; thus, as nurses, we can help patients become more self-aware so they can take better care of themselves. In order to continue learning and advance nursing practice, theory development, and evaluation are essential. Personal self-care and ongoing development are crucial for improving oneself and practices in an advanced nursing profession.
References
Ali, B. H. I. (2018). Application of Orem self-care deficit theory on psychiatric patient. Annals of Nursing and Practice, 5(1), 1-3. Web.
de Lima, G. K. S., dos Santos, A. A. P., Silva, J. M. D. O. E., Comassetto, I., Correia, S. R., & da Silva Ferreira, D. C. (2017). Self-care of adolescents in the puerperal period: Application of The Orem Theory. Journal of Nursing UFPE/Revista de Enfermagem UFPE, 11(10). Web.
Marques, F. R. D. M., Charlo, P. B., Pires, G. A. R., Radovanovic, C. A. T., Carreira, L., & Salci, M. A. (2022). Nursing diagnoses in elderly people with diabetes mellitus according to Orem’s Self-Care Theory. Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem, 75. Web.
McEwen, M. (2019). Overview of theory in nursing, In M. McEwen & E.M. Wills (Eds.) Theoretical basis for nursing practice (5thed., pp. 23-48). Web.
Santana, M. B. A., Silva, D. M. G. V. D., Echevarría-Guanilo, M. E., Lopes, S. G. R., Romanoski, P. J., & Böell, J. E. W. (2020). Self-care in individuals with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis. Revista Gaúcha de Enfermagem, 41. Web.
Younas, A. (2017). A foundational analysis of Dorothea Orem’s self-care theory and evaluation of its significance for nursing practice and research. Creative Nursing, 23(1), 13-23. Web.
