Dorothea Orem was a needs theorist who developed the self-care deficit nursing theory.

As discussed in Taylor and Renpenning’s (2011) article, her theory describes the reason patients

need nursing care, what is required to provide that care, and how nurses can be instrumental in

assisting patients to provide self-care. The theory has four components: theory of nursing

systems, theory of self-care deficits, theory of self-care, and theory of dependent care (Taylor &

Renpenning, 2011). These four parts explain how nursing practice are influenced by the various

aspects related to providing self-care. In addition, Orem, Taylor, and Renpenning (2003) discuss

the importance of developing a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship, as well as the ability to

evaluate how to effectively meet the self-care needs of the patient.

One of the caring theorists was Jean Watson who established the Philosophy and

Science of Caring theory. She explains that the science of caring “provides an ethical, moral,

values-guided meta-narrative for its science and its human phenomena, its approach to caring-

healing-person-nature-universe” (Watson, 2008, p. 15-16). She believes that it provides a

foundation for knowledge development that includes not only the physical world, but also the

spiritual which is often lacking. She further explains that effective caring can promote optimal

health and healing for the patient and family, and that it can provide more benefit for patients

than simply curing (Watson, 2008).

 Orem - Needs Peplau - Roy – Outcomes Watson – Caring
Theorist Interaction Theorist Theorist
Theorist

Educational Columbia Yale University Graduated with Graduated from

Background University, theory School of Nursing, Bachelor’s at University of
is influenced by theory evolved Mount St. Mary’s Colorado with B.S.
Abraham from the question in Los Angeles. in nursing and
Maslow’s “how do nurses Received a Master PH.D. in
hierarchy of do what they do?” of Science in Educational
needs, Erikson’s Developed from pediatric nursing Psychology and
 stages of the needs and studied Counseling.
development, and approach. sociology at UCLA.
biomedical model
Philosophy of Individuals have Relationship Individuals are a Nursing is a
Nursing the desire to care between nurse biopsychosocial science that
for themselves and patient is human being and focuses on the
and are able to central to the must use innate process of caring
recover better if healing process of and acquired skills between the
they are able to the patient. to adapt to a nurse and patient,
provide as much constantly and caring for
self-care as changing others is a
possible. environment. component of
caring for self.
Definition of Nurse is the agent Nursing is focused Nurse assists an ill Nursing is an
Nursing who assists in on developing a patient through interpersonal
facilitating self- therapeutic nurse- the nursing relationship
care for those patient process in focusing on the
with the inability relationship to adapting to act of caring that
to provide self- achieve common changes in the involves
care due to health goals set by the environment. dimensions such
complications. nurse and patient. as spirituality and
human emotions.
Goal/Purpose of To assist patients To help in To enhance To develop a
Theory in gaining the resolving patients’ adaptation of the therapeutic caring
skills and negative emotions patient in a nurse-patient
knowledge due to unmet changing relationship that
necessary to needs and environment and can assist the
provide self-care inadequate lessen inadequate patient in
and reduce self- completion of responses to discovering
care deficits goals and life stimuli. meaning in life
tasks. experiences.
References

Meleis, A. I., (2018). Theoretical nursing: development and progress. Wolters Kluwer

Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2012.

Orem, D. E., Taylor, S. G., & Renpenning, K. M. (2003). Self-Care Theory in Nursing: Selected

Papers of Dorothea Orem. New York: Springer Publishing Company.

Peplau, H. (1997). Peplau’s theory of interpersonal relations. Nursing Science Quarterly, (10)4,

162-167.

Taylor, S. G., & Renpenning, K. M. (2011). Self-Care Science, Nursing Theory and Evidence-Based

Practice. New York: Springer Publishing Company.

Watson, J. (2008). Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring. Boulder, Colo: University

Press of Colorado.