Nursing Theories

Nursing Theories

Introduction

Nursing is a profession of care and comfort provided to patients. While providing comfort and medical care to their patients, nurses implement appropriate nursing plans and follow a suitable nursing process. Over the years, with advancement in science and technology, many nursing theories have been developed. Nursing theories objective is to explain and analyze the phenomena of nursing. It provides guidelines and regulations so that people can practice nursing. It also helps in generating further information and indicates the direction of development in future. These theories have been helpful to nurses not only in education but in their practice as well.

Discussion

Over the years, many theorists have contributed in the profession of nursing. They have developed some useful theories that have helped nurses and students in education and practice. The theories of theorist have helped the medical profession to enable humans to take care of their health and have contributed in promoting health education globally.Some of the theorist and their theories are discussed below

Major assumptions of theory

Madeleine Leininiger

Leininger theory of cultural care describes the consciousness of the changing world. Her theory explains that individuals are at play with the surroundings and the society.the main assumption of the theory is as follows (Selanders, 1998)

Care is significant to human health and its wellness and it helps humans to face handicaps of life such as death.

Culture is a pivotal part of nursing and it helps to predict and explain the nursing care phenomena to nurses while practice.

Health care centers should devise guidelines and regulations to meet the needs of culturally diverse people.

Intercultural communication is an important tool which enables nurses to provide health care to people belonging to different cultures and ethnic groups.

Martha Rogers

Rogers's theory is known as science of unitary human beings. The major assumptions are as follows ( Jacqueline, 1993)

Human beings are not only characterized on the basis of their physical appearance and body parts but are also differentiated on feelings and emotions.

Nursing is a profession that is considered as science and art and its beauty lies in the phenomena central to its focus.

Humans are connected to the universe and every individual affects and is being affected by its surroundings.

The main objective of nursing is to promote health all around the world.

Elizabeth Orem

Orem developed a self care theory in the profession of nursing. Her theory was widely accepted and implemented. The major assumptions are as follows (Selanders, 1998)

People should be able to provide health care to themselves and also to their family members who are suffering from injury or illness.

Nurses should educate and train people so that they can develop and enhance their self care abilities.

Self care deficit occurs when an individual is unable to meet its self care needs and fails to provide health care to him.

Nurses are needed when an individual is unable to manage health care activities for him and families.

Florence nightingale

Florence assumptions and main components of her theory are discussed below

Humans have the ability to achieve perfection.

Nursing is a profession in which educational base is very ...