Contemporary Nursing Theories: Concept Comparison and Analysis - Essay Example

Contemporary Nursing Theories: Concept Comparison and Analysis Contemporary Nursing Theories: Concept Comparison and Analysis Introduction Nursing is a profession that employs the use of the combination of physical science, social science, nursing theory and technology in the provision of care to others (Sigma Theta Tau International). Nursing theories serve as the groundwork for the practice of the profession. It guides every nurse on how to do things effectively and efficiently. This paper endeavors to give emphasis on contemporary nursing theories specifically focusing on a variety of aspects such as definitions, concept statements, metaparadigms, philosophies and conceptual models. Moreover, this paper also aims to tackle one particular nursing theory in relation to its application in practice. Contemporary Nursing Theories Early nursing theorists aimed in defining what is nursing; conversely, contemporary theorists discussed the metaparadigm concepts in more depth, gave high regard to nursing actions in particular, and attempted to provide the rationale as to when is nursing necessary (Daniels, 2004). The works of contemporary theorists like Myra Levine, Dorothea Orem and Sister Callista Roy as highlighted by Daniels (2004), serve as the theoretical basis for a variety of interventions in current nursing practice. Core Concepts In the theories formulated by Sister Callista Roy which is known as the Adaptation Theory and in the Self-Care Theory by Dorothea Orem, the concepts given emphasis pertain to Man, Health, the Environment and Nursing (Timby, 2009). Man Man as defined by Dorothea Orem in her Self-Care Theory, is “an individual who utilizes self-care to sustain life and health, recover from disease or injury, or cope with its effects” (Timby, 2009, p. 7). On the contrary, according to Sister Callista Roy in her Adaptation Theory, Man is “a social, mental, spiritual and physical being affected by stimuli in the internal and external environments” (Timby, 2009, p. 7). In these two definitions of man, it is evident that man as described in the Adaptation theory portrays the different dimensions of a man whereas man in the Self-Care Theory is depicted in general. Health Health is the product of practices that people have learned to carry out on their own behalf to maintain life and well-being as stressed in the Self-Care Theory by Dorothea Orem (Timby, 2009, p. 7). Conversely, Health is defined as the persons capability to respond appropriately to changes in the environment (Timby, 2009). It is apparent that the two aforementioned theories defined health in varied ways; Self-Care Theory views health as an end product of individuals practices while Adaptation Theory deems that health is based on the persons inner ability. Environment The environment as stressed in Orems Self-Care Theory comprises of elements with which man interacts with in an attempt to maintain self-care (Timby, 2009, p. 7). On the other hand, in Roys Adaptation Theory, the environment denotes the internal and external forces in a continuous state of change (Timby, 2009). With the definitions of environment stressed in the theories, it is somehow related for it portrays the environment as consisting of elements or forces that man interacts with, and such relationship will determine its effect to the individual whether modifications may transpire. Nursing As highlighted in Orems Self-Care Theory, Nursing is “a human service that aids people to progressively maximize their self-care potential” (Timby, 2009, p.7). On the contrary, for Sister Callista Roy, as what she had stressed in her Adaptation Theory, Nursing is “a humanitarian art and expanding science that influences and alters stimuli to encourage and to aid humans capability to adapt” (Timby, 2009, p. 7). It is apparent that nursing was portrayed by the two theories as a profession that helps people to adapt and to realize their full potential. Both theories illustrated the profession as having related endeavors. Adaptation Theory This paper will focus specifically on Sister Callista Roys Adaptation Theory. Synopsis The Adaptation Theory highlighted that humans are biopsychosocial beings and an alteration in one aspect results in adaptive modifications in the other aspects (Timby, 2009). Concept Statement and Definition The theory of Sister Callista Roy known as the Adaptation Theory revolves around two concepts applied to nursing practice namely, systems and adaptation (Sitzman & Eichelberger, 2011). In her work, the word system illustrates a grouping of units that are related and connected, hence, when combined will result to a unified whole; it may either be an individual, family, group, community or society (Sitzman & Eichelberger, 2011). On the other hand, the other concept given high regard by Sister Callista Roy in her theory is the term adaptation. Adaptation pertains to the effective coping mechanisms that promote integrity for an individual to able to cope with a variety of forces influenced by the environment (Sitzman & Eichelberger, 2011). Metaparadigms There are four metaparadigm concepts given definition in the Adaptation Model of Sister Callista Roy and these are the person, the environment, health and nursing. In the adaptation model, person is portrayed as a “whole with parts that function as a unity” (Masters, 2009, p. 55). Another metaparadigm concept is the environment which is illustrated as the internal and external stimuli and further described as “the world within and around humans as adaptive systems” (Masters, 2009, p. 55). Health is another metaparadigm concept given emphasis in the Adaptation Theory of Sister Callista Roy and is defined as “a state and process of being and becoming an integrated and whole human being” (Masters, 2009, p. 55). Nursing is also a significant metaparadigm concept portrayed in the aforementioned contemporary nursing theory; it is depicted as “the manipulation of stimuli to foster successful adaptation” (Masters, 2009, p. 55). Philosophies Sister Callista Roys Adaptation Model portrays the individual as an adaptive system in continuous interaction with the internal and external environment (Masters, 2009). The chief goal of the human system is to preserve wholeness amidst the presence of environmental stimuli (Masters, 2009). Hence, the endeavor of nursing is to facilitate successful adaptation according to Masters (2009). Adaptation is defined in this theory as the process and result whereby thinking and feeling individuals, as persons or in groups, employ the use of conscious awareness and choice to make human and environmental integration (Masters, 2009). Hence, the aforementioned process results to optimum health and well-being, which is essential in obtaining quality of life and in the end of a persons life, to die with dignity (Masters, 2009). The assumptions of Sister Callista Roy’s Adaptation Theory are categorized into explicit and implicit assumptions. The theory explicitly postulated that the person is a bio-psycho-social being and is in constant relationship with a changing environment (Current Nursing, 2012). Moreover, it also stated that for an individual to cope with a changing world, the person utilizes both intrinsic and learned mechanisms which are biological, psychological and social in origin (Current Nursing, 2012). The theory also highlighted that “health and illness are inevitable dimensions of a persons life” (Current Nursing, 2012). In addition, the person must adapt in order to positively respond to environmental changes; the individuals adaptation is a function of the stimulus he is exposed to and his adaptation level which encompasses a zone indicating the range of stimulation that will result to a positive response (Current Nursing, 2012). It is also stressed that an individual has four means of adaptation namely, physiologic needs, self-concept, role function and inter-dependence as enumerated by Current Nursing (2012). Furthermore, interpersonal relations are considered to be a vital part of nursing for nursing recognizes the humanistic approach of valuing other persons opinions, and view points (Current Nursing, 2012). This theory also cited that there is a dynamic objective for existence with the supreme endeavor of achieving dignity and integrity (Current Nursing, 2012). Conversely, the implicit assumptions stated in Sister Callista Roys Adaptation Theory include: Nursing is grounded on causality, a person can be reduced to parts for study and care, patients values and opinions are to be given high regard and respected, and a state of adaptation renders freedom to the individuals energy to respond to other stimuli (Current Nursing, 2012). Conceptual Model Sister Callista Roy was challenged in a seminar with Dorothy E. Johnson to design a conceptual model for nursing; she was employed as a pediatric staff nurse and had observed the outstanding resiliency of children and their capability to adapt in response to major physical and psychological changes (Basavanthappa, 2007, p. 205). Furthermore, she was impressed by adaptation as a suitable framework for nursing (Basavanthappa, 2007, p. 205). She also facilitated the utilization of this theory for nursing research and education (Basavanthappa, 2007, p. 206). Application to Nursing Practice The Adaptation Theory of Sister Callista Roy is evident in nursing practice when the nurses assess all the aspects of the individual such as the biological, psychological and social factors interfering with health; modify the stimuli causing the maladaptation and evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention implemented (Timby, 2009). Conclusion Contemporary Nursing Theorists like Dorothea Orem and Sister Callista Roy had strived to improve the practice of the Nursing Profession. They provided concepts which served as the groundwork of the present Nursing Practice. Thus, it is significant for every nurse to know and understand such nursing models and theories and to recognize the importance of their contributions to the Nursing Profession. References Basavanthappa, B.T. (2007). Nursing Theories. [n.p.]: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers Ltd. Current Nursing. (2012). Roys Adaptation Model. Available at: http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/Roy_adaptation_model.html. Accessed: 23 May 2012. Daniels, R. (2004). Nursing Fundamentals: Caring and Clinical Decision Making. United States of America: Delmar Learning. Masters, K. (2009). Role Development in Professional Nursing Practice. United States of America: Jones and Bartlett Publishers LLC. Sigma Theta Tau International. Considering Nursing as a Career? Available at: http://www.nursingsociety.org/Career/CareerMap/Pages/cmap_nurses.aspx. Accessed: 21 May 2012. Sitzman, K., & Eichelberger, L.W. (2011). Understanding the Work of Nurse Theorists: A Creative Beginning. United States of America: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, LLC. Timby, B.K. (2009). Fundamental Nursing Skills and Concepts. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Read More