Assignment Instructions
Compare two nursing theories. How do they differ based on their intent, scope, and goals? Which one might be more relevant to your future role, and why?
Sample Answer
Compare two nursing theories. How do they differ based on their intent, scope, and goals?
The two nursing theories that I will compare are Dorothea Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory and Roy’s Adaptation Model. According to Dorothea Orem's self-care deficit theory, the ability of people to engage in self-care is defined by activities that individuals perform to maintain health, life, and well-being (Hartweg & Metcalfe, 2022). The self-care deficit theory comprises three related theories; the theory of nursing systems, the self-care deficit theory, and the theory of self-care. These theories are then classified into supportive-educative, partially compensatory, and wholly compensatory theories. Roy's adaptation model aims to explain or define the provisions of nursing science. It views an individual as a set of interrelated systems that maintain a balance between the various stimuli (Callis, 2020). The two theories differ based on the scope, intent, and goals. Dorothea Orem intends to help nurses have an understanding of the patient's self-care activities and support them. The theory has a wider scope as it is applied to any patients who have the ability to engage in activities of daily living or are aiming to restore this ability. Additionally, the goal of self-care deficit theory is to promote the independence of the patient and recovery through self-care. On the other hand, Roy's adaptation model intends to help nurses have an understanding of how patients adapt to diseases and the changes that these illnesses cause in their lives. In terms of scope, Roy's Adaptation Model also has a broad scope as it can be applied to all the patients experiencing changes due to diseases. Additionally, the goal of the theory is to promote the patient's coping and adaptation skills.
Which one might be more relevant to your future role, and why?
The theory that is more relevant to me as a nurse is the Self-care deficit theory. In any setting where I will work as a nurse, I will be encouraging the patients to engage in activities of daily living and activities that enhance their general well-being.
References
Callis, A. M. B. (2020). Application of the Roy Adaptation Theory to a care program for nurses. Applied Nursing Research, 56, 151340. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0897189720302998
Hartweg, D. L., & Metcalfe, S. A. (2022). Orem’s self-care deficit nursing theory: relevance and need for refinement. Nursing science quarterly, 35(1), 70-76. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/08943184211051369