Dorothea Orem

Written By: Brittany Abernathy Brittany Abrams Mandy Kasperski Samantha Duda

Biography
Born in 1914 in Baltimore, Maryland One of Americas foremost nursing theorists Father was in construction Mother was a homemaker Youngest of two daughters

Education
Diploma in 1930 from Providence Hospital School of Nursing in Washington, D.C. BSN (1939) and MSN (1945) from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Doctor of Science from Georgetown University (1976) Doctor of Science from Incarnate Word College in San Antonio, Texas (1980)

Education contd
Doctor of Humane Letters from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois (1988) Doctor Honoris Causae from University of Missouri-Columbia (1998)

Accomplishments
6th edition of Nursing: Concepts of Practice Catholic University of America Alumni Achievement Award for Nursing Theory Consultant in the Office of Education, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare

Orems Definition
Since Orems definition of nursing focus was similar to Virginia Hendersons definition, many people believe that she developed her thoughts from Henderson. Orem clearly stated that her own notions evolved from her unique experiences and observations, and were not derived from Hendersons work.

Orems Definition
Orem does state that there were things that impacted her ideas about nursing: practice roles of staff nurses in medical-surgical and pediatric nursing and assistant director of nursing in a general hospital. Orem credits herself for her ability to reflect and search for meaning in nursing both to these experiences in nursing and the study of formal logic and metaphysics, and the ability to see the whole in nursing situations as important to her conceptualization of the theory.

Theories
Orem described her work as a general theory of nursing with three interrelated theories 1. Theory of Self-Care 2. Theory of Self-Care Deficit 3. Theory of Nursing systems She described her theory as a Grand Theory but it can be seen as a Middle-range theory

Where Was Her Theory Developed?

The original ideas developed while serving as a nurse consultant with Indiana State Board of Health (1949-1957) Traveling around the state, she became aware of the ability of nurses to do nursing, but their inability to talk about nursing She further developed her ideas while serving as a consultant in the Office of Education, US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare

Where Was Her Theory Developed?

She worked to improve vocational nursing curriculum, but discovered that she must first define nursing before she could improve parts of nursing. Orem asked the question: What condition exists when judgments are made that people need nursing? The inabilities of people to care for themselves at times when they need assistance because of their state of personal health.

Orems Definition of Self-Care

Self-care comprises those activities performed independently by an individual to promote and maintain personal well being throughout life.

Theory Self-Care
All individuals have the potential ability and motivation necessary to provide care for themselves and dependents. However, having the ability or potential does not mean that all will seek knowledge or take action.

Theory of Self-Care
Self care is performed by mature and maturing individuals If self care is delivered and performed deliberately in response to need, it assumes that the individual has had time for interaction and communication to learn about the necessary action. Infants and children cant meet the requirements necessary for life because they are not developed

Theory of Self-Care
Orem describes three components of self care 1. Universal self care needs 2. Developmental self care needs 3. Health deviation

Universal Self-Care Needs

Activities essential to health Air Water Food Elimination Activity and Rest Solitude and social interactions Prevention of harm Promotion of normality

Developmental Self-Care Needs

Interventions and teachings that are designed to return a person to or sustain a level of optimal health and wellness. Toilet training a child Exercising Healthy diet

Health Deviation
The variations in self-care resulting from Disability Injury Illness Responses to injury, illness, and disability are individualized

Key Contributions to the Nursing Role

The self-care aspect of Orems theory applies to the assessment and evaluation of the nursing process that is practiced today. Orem emphasized the importance of how ones own self-care is important for maintaining life, health, development, and well being.

Using Orems Theory in Nursing

In undergraduate nursing curricula the nursing care plan is one example of how her theory of self-care can be applied to nursing process. An example is individualizing care plans for each and every patient.

References
Chitty, K.K., & Black, B.P. (2011). Professional nursing concepts & challenges. Maryland Heights, MO: Saunders Elsevier. Hartweg, D.L. (1991). Dorothea orem: self-care deficit theory. Nurses.info. (2010, May 20). Retrieved from http://www.nurses.info/nursing_theory_perso n_orem_dorothea.htm.