What is your nursing theory and why?

grannynurse FNP student · Jun 27, 2005

What nursing theory do you think most describes the type of nursing that you practice and why? Which theory appeals most to you? Do you have your own model that you would like to share.
I am just curious - this is what we are studying in class and it seems like there is one for everything. I thought it would be a fun thread :-)
LifeLONGstudent

I suppose I follow the transcultural theory of nursing. I believe that everyone's culture has an impact on how they approach and accept their health care; how it defines their views of their needs; how it impacts on their acceptance of their health issues; how it defines their complance.

Grannynurse :balloons:

talaxandra · Jun 27, 2005

George Engel's biopsychosocial model of health care - considering the mind and body of a patient as two important, connected systems. The BPS model distinguishes between disease (actual pathological processes), and illness (the patient's perception of their health and the effects on it).

llg, PhD, RN · Jun 27, 2005

My person favorite model/theory is Kristen Swanson Kauffman's model that defines nursing as "informed caring for others" (published in "Image" in the early-mid 1990's) It is so simple and elegant, yet encompasses every situation I can think of. It's very easy to apply. It's a shame more people haven't picked up on it and run with that approach.

llg

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Jun 27, 2005

I work in assisted living, which is pretty much a candy coated word now a days for LTC! With my patients, I really feel that Dorothea Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory of Nursing is a great way to go with their changing needs as they age.

With her theories, which can be a little overly technical, you can break things down into functional groups of abilities and fine tune the abilities of the patient to make a individual plan of care for any deficits in self care ablitlies...leaving room for patients to help themselves and therefore helping with feelings of helplessness and powerlessness over their care!

Plus, I like the idea of working with areas that are positive like "you can ambulate to the bathroom which is wonderful, now you just need some assistance is cleaning...that is all, we can do that too with your help!" A very positive proactive choice that is good for the patients well being and mental/emotional health and the nurses too!