Module 04 Discussion: Comparing And Contrasting Theories
Module 04 Discussion Comparing And Contrasting Theories
Compare two nursing models and theories found in your reading in three to four paragraphs. Discuss how they are similar or different in their definitions and discussions of 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 influence your nursing practice.
Paper For Above instruction
Nursing theories and models serve as foundational frameworks that guide nursing practice, education, and research by providing a structured understanding of essential concepts such as health, illness, the client, environment, and nursing interventions. Among the various frameworks, the Neuman Systems Model and the Orem Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory are prominent, each offering distinct perspectives yet sharing some common ground. Comparing these two models reveals their unique approaches to understanding patient care and influences on nursing actions.
The Neuman Systems Model, developed by Betty Neuman, conceptualizes the client as an open system that interacts dynamically with internal and external environments. This model emphasizes holistic care and views health as a continuum, where wellness and illness are part of the same spectrum affected by stressors and the client's ability to adapt. It considers the environment as a critical component influencing health, advocating for the maintenance of system stability through interventions that reduce stressors or strengthen client resilience. The model encourages nurses to assess multiple factors simultaneously, focusing on prevention and holistic wellness rather than solely treating disease symptoms (Neuman, 1995).
In contrast, the Orem Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory, crafted by Dorothea Orem, centers around the concept of self-care as a fundamental human need. This theory posits that nursing is required when individuals are unable to meet their own self-care needs due to illness, injury, or other limitations. Orem’s model emphasizes the client's capacity for self-care, viewing health as the ability to perform necessary activities to maintain physical, psychological, and social well-being. The environmental aspect is acknowledged but considered less central than self-care abilities, which nurses assist in restoring or compensating for when deficits exist (Orem, 1991).
Both models recognize health as a dynamic and multifaceted concept but differ in their primary focus and approach. While the Neuman model adopts a broad, systems-based perspective that emphasizes holistic wellness and environmental influences, the Orem model concentrates on individual self-care capacities and promoting independence. The Neuman model's comprehensive assessment aligns well with holistic nursing practices, making it suitable for diverse patient populations, including those with chronic conditions. Conversely, the Orem theory's emphasis on self-care is particularly relevant in settings where patient education and empowerment are prioritized, such as outpatient or community health.
Personally, the Neuman Systems Model aligns more closely with my beliefs in holistic care and the importance of environmental and psychosocial factors in health. I believe that health is a complex interplay of various systems and that nurses should address not only physical symptoms but also emotional, social, and environmental influences. Applying this model would influence my nursing practice by encouraging a comprehensive assessment approach, focusing on prevention, and fostering resilience in patients. This perspective promotes individualized, holistic care that supports patients in maintaining stability across multiple facets of their lives, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes.
References
Neuman, B. (1995). The Neuman Systems Model (4th ed.). Pearson.
Orem, D. E. (1991). Nursing: Concepts of Practice. Mosby.
Alligood, M. R. (2014). Nursing Theorists and Their Work (8th ed.). Elsevier.
Fawcett, J. (2005). Analysis and evaluation of contemporary nursing knowledge. Springer Publishing.
Hood, L. (2017). Nursing theories and models. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 73(3), 565-573.
Meleis, A. I. (2011). Theoretical Nursing: Development and Progress. Wolters Kluwer.
Pajnkihar, M., Kocbek, L., & Vrbnjak, D. (2019). The application of nursing models and theories in practice. Nursing & Care, 5(2), 31-40.
Alligood, M. R. (2014). Nursing Theorists and Their Work. Elsevier.
Houser, J. (2012). Practicing holistically: The Neuman systems model in nursing practice. Holistic Nursing Practice, 26(4), 232-241.