Nursing Conceptual Model, Research Paper Example

Introduction

The two main nursing theories that are globally recognized are the Roy adaptation theory and the Orem’s self-care theory. According to the Roy adaptation model the person is a biosocial being, which is constantly interacting with the changing environment. The person can cope with the changing environment using both the acquired mechanisms and innate ones. These mechanisms are of social, psychological, and biological foundation. The model also proclaims that a person’s life health and illness are inevitable dimensions and one must adapt in the changing environment in order to survive.

The adaptation of the person is the work of the stimulus he is frequently exposed to and his or her own adaptation level. The other assumption of the model is that the adaptation level of the person has a zone that indicates the range of the stimulation that eventually leads to a positive response. According to model, the person has four modes of adaptation, which include self-concept, role function, interdependence, and physiological needs. Moreover, relation between people is a crucial part of nursing. This means that nursing allows the approach of valuing other people’s opinions and their viewpoints (Butts & Rich 2011).

Comparison between the Two Nursing Models

On the other hand, the Orem’s model is a little different compared to the Roy model. According to the Orem theory, people should be responsible and self reliant for own proper health maintenance and also for the other family members who need care. In addition to that, the Orem model illustrates that persons are distinct individuals unlike the Roy model that says a person is a biophysiological being. It also describes nursing as an action that involves interaction between two or more people. Moreover, it claims that a person’s potential health problems knowledge is crucial in the promotion of the self-care behaviors. These behaviors are learned within the socio cultural context of the person.

The main focus of this model is to facilitate the patient’s ability to implement self-care as well as extending to their dependants. The three systems that exist in the theory include the compensatory system, where the nurse gives total care to the patient. In this system, the patients cannot do anything for themselves although not limited to daily activities of living. The partial compensatory system is also included. This is where the nurse, as well as the patient shares the health care responsibilities. The nurse is supposed to assist the patient although assistance can also be provided by the patient and also his or her family.

Moreover, the educative development system is also provided in which the patient posses the primary responsibility to his or her own health care. The nurse only assists in education providence and the promotion of health practices. The model has also other related theories. One, theory of self-care describes how people care for themselves. The self-care deficit theory explains why people should be helped through nursing. According to the theory, Orem believes that nursing is needed when there is a problem that prohibits the person from reaching his or her expected health standard (Masters 2012).

Personal Beliefs

The Orem model matches my own beliefs, unlike the Roy theory. This is because of various reasons. This model encourages people to work towards promoting their own health well being. It makes people realize that minding ones health by own effort application is better than relying on the body’s adaptation mechanism. On the other hand, it explains nursing activity and the way it is applied in the promoting self-care. The advantage of this Orem’s self-care theory when implementing a plan is the use of a comprehensive assessment process. Every aspect of the patient’s well being, environment, and social situation is analyzed. The model mainly focuses on the patient and the nursing care need is determined by the patients self-care deficits noted during the assessment process. It also focuses on the actual requirement for nursing for the sake of the patient providing nursing profession autonomy (Potter & Perry 2009).

Most of my beliefs comply with the Orem’s model. For example, I believe that a person can provide better healthcare compared to the nurses. This is known as self-care since one can monitor himself or herself. Self-care is the action done by a person, to maintain or establish proper health, as well as his or her well-being. Furthermore, the human body is not able to adapt to each environmental change. The person bears the responsibility of his or her body protection and prevention of illnesses. In addition to that, although health and illnesses are inevitable life dimensions, a person has control over them. This is through ones protection and self-care that enable healthy living. A person is a single individual and not entirely a biophysical being because he or she cannot adapt to all situations as depicted in the Roy’s model. The use of the Orem’s self-care theory will facilitate on the better provision of nursing services. Some of these include noting the best theory to apply in the nursing (Tomey & Alligood 2006).

Conclusion

The study has identified the existence of various nursing theories useful to care givers including the Roy adaptation theory and the Orem’s self-care theory. With each having the advantages and disadvantages, I held to the belief that Orem’s self-care theory was appropriate to my capabilities as a nurse. Most importantly, the model can be used by an individual who has no skills as nurse making it helpful to societies with such challenges. Nevertheless, it is important for everyone to identify to most appropriate model useful in executing tasks that entails the alleviation of various medical challenges among the patients we encounter every day.

References

Butts, J. B., & Rich, K. (2011). Philosophies And Theories For Advanced Nursing Practice. Sudbury, Mass.: Jones And Bartlett Publishers.

Masters, K. (2012). Nursing Theories: A Framework For Professional Practice. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Potter, P. A., & Perry, A. G. (2009). Fundamentals Of Nursing (7th Ed.). St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby Elsevier.

Tomey, A., & Alligood, M. R. (2006). Nursing Theorists And Their Work (6th Ed.). St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby/Elsevier.