Nurses in advanced roles have increased responsibility and accountability for their practice. Therefore, it is imperative that these nurses have a solid understanding of how to evaluate nursing theories for their appropriateness and utility.
Pick a nursing theory that you may use in your future role (Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner). Briefly describe the theory and then pick three (3) evaluation criteria questions from the following list and use them to evaluate your chosen theory.
Is the purpose of the theory clearly identified? What is it?
Are the major assumptions explained? What are they?
Are the major concepts clearly defined? What are they?
Are the major relational statements (propositions) clear? What are they?
Has the theory been tested? How?
Has the theory been used in nursing practice, education or leadership? How?
Full Answer Section
The major concepts in the theory are self-care, self-care agency, self-care deficit, and nursing agency. Self-care is defined as "the activities that individuals perform on their own behalf in maintaining life, health, and well-being." Self-care agency is the individual's ability to perform self-care activities. Self-care deficit is the inability of an individual to meet their own self-care needs. Nursing agency is the nurse's ability to help individuals meet their self-care needs.
The major relational statements in the theory are:
- The greater the self-care deficit, the greater the need for nursing intervention.
- The more complex the self-care need, the greater the need for nursing intervention.
- The more independent the individual, the less need for nursing intervention.
The Orem Self-Care Deficit Theory has been tested in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and community health settings. The theory has been used in nursing practice, education, and leadership.
Evaluation Criteria
- Is the purpose of the theory clearly identified? What is it?
The purpose of the Orem Self-Care Deficit Theory is clearly identified. The purpose is to help nurses understand how to assess and meet the self-care needs of individuals.
- Are the major assumptions explained? What are they?
The major assumptions of the Orem Self-Care Deficit Theory are also clearly explained. The assumptions are that individuals have a basic need for self-care, self-care is the ability to perform activities that promote health and prevent illness, and self-care deficit occurs when an individual is unable to meet their own self-care needs.
- Are the major concepts clearly defined? What are they?
The major concepts in the Orem Self-Care Deficit Theory are also clearly defined. The concepts are self-care, self-care agency, self-care deficit, and nursing agency. Self-care is defined as "the activities that individuals perform on their own behalf in maintaining life, health, and well-being." Self-care agency is the individual's ability to perform self-care activities. Self-care deficit is the inability of an individual to meet their own self-care needs. Nursing agency is the nurse's ability to help individuals meet their self-care needs.
- Are the major relational statements (propositions) clear? What are they?
The major relational statements in the Orem Self-Care Deficit Theory are also clear. The statements are:
- The greater the self-care deficit, the greater the need for nursing intervention.
- The more complex the self-care need, the greater the need for nursing intervention.
- The more independent the individual, the less need for nursing intervention.
Conclusion
The Orem Self-Care Deficit Theory is a well-developed and tested nursing theory that is appropriate for use in advanced practice nursing. The theory is clear, concise, and easy to understand. The theory is also supported by research.
The theory can be used to assess and meet the self-care needs of individuals in a variety of settings. The theory can also be used to guide nursing practice, education, and leadership.
Sample Answer
Orem Self-Care Deficit Theory
The Orem Self-Care Deficit Theory is a nursing theory that focuses on the individual's ability to meet their own
self-care needs. The theory was developed by Dorothea Orem in the 1950s and 1960s.
The purpose of the theory is to help nurses understand how to assess and meet the self-care needs of individuals. The theory is based on the following assumptions:
- Individuals have a basic need for self-care.
- Self-care is the ability to perform activities that promote health and prevent illness.
- Self-care deficit occurs when an individual is unable to meet their own self-care needs.