Dimensions Of Nursing Practice

  Contrast two nursing models and theories found in your reading. Discuss how they are similar or different in the way the define/discuss health and wellness, illness, the client, the environment, and nursing. Summarize by selecting the one model or theory that aligns best with your beliefs and then describe how this would affect the way in which you would practice nursing.  
Two nursing models and theories that I found in my reading: Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory Health and wellness: Orem defines health as "a state in which the individual has the capacity to perform self-care." Wellness is the "ability of the individual to perform self-care at a level that promotes and maintains health." Illness: Orem defines illness as "a state in which the individual is unable to perform self-care at a level that promotes and maintains health." The client: Orem defines the client as "the individual who is unable to perform self-care at a level that promotes and maintains health." The environment: Orem defines the environment as "the internal and external factors that influence the individual's ability to perform self-care." Nursing: Orem defines nursing as "the art and science of helping individuals, who are experiencing self-care deficits, to achieve or maintain a level of self-care that promotes and maintains health." Watson's Theory of Human Caring Health and wellness: Watson defines health as "a state of being that is characterized by harmony, peace, and wholeness." Wellness is the "process of achieving and maintaining a state of being that is characterized by harmony, peace, and wholeness." Illness: Watson does not explicitly define illness in her theory. However, she does state that illness is a "disruption in the human caring process." The client: Watson defines the client as "the human being who is experiencing a disruption in the human caring process." The environment: Watson defines the environment as "the physical, social, and spiritual context in which the human caring process occurs." Nursing: Watson defines nursing as "the human science and art of caring." Similarities Both Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory and Watson's Theory of Human Caring focus on the individual's ability to perform self-care. They also both emphasize the importance of the environment in influencing health and wellness. Differences Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory is more focused on the individual's ability to perform self-care, while Watson's Theory of Human Caring is more focused on the interpersonal relationship between the nurse and the client. Orem's theory is also more structured, while Watson's theory is more holistic. Which theory aligns best with my beliefs? I believe that Watson's Theory of Human Caring aligns best with my beliefs. I believe that the human caring process is essential to health and wellness, and I believe that nurses have a unique role to play in facilitating this process. I also believe that the environment plays an important role in health and wellness, and that nurses can help to create a supportive environment for healing. How would this affect the way in which I would practice nursing? If I were to practice nursing from a Watsonian perspective, I would focus on creating a caring relationship with my clients. I would also focus on helping my clients to identify and meet their own self-care needs. I would also work to create a supportive environment for healing. I believe that this approach to nursing would be more effective than a more traditional approach that focuses on the technical aspects of care. I believe that by focusing on the human caring process, I would be able to help my clients to achieve a higher level of health and wellness.

Sample Answer