Nursing Theory for Journal Entry
Nursing theories provide foundation which forms the basis of nursing practice. The framework created by the theories also guides various research activities that lead to enhanced nursing practices (Alligood, 2014). In so doing, the need to apply evidence-based practices in nursing is enhanced leading to the provision of quality and safe care as well as improved patient outcomes. This journal entry focuses on the theory guiding the clinical practices as well as the objectives of the practicum experience.
For the entire period of practice, the nursing care provision will be based on Dorothea Orem’s theory of needs that revolve around assisting individuals in meeting their needs. The theory focuses on the needs that patient ought to accomplish and the time that the patient requires the nursing care. According to Berbigalia & Banfield, (2014), the theory recognizes the fact that in the moments of disease, illness or injury, the patient can lose his or her potential to function independent s. in such instances, the patient develops the self-care deficit, and this prompts the intervention of a nurse that assists the patient either partially or fully in meeting the needs.
The Orem’s theory is patient-oriented as it assumes that individuals ought to be self-reliant and responsible for their care as well as the significant others that require their care (Smith & Parker, 2015). Nursing is then believed to be an action that originates from interaction amongst people in a setting from the thus the self-care and self-reliance turns to emerge from the association in the socio-cultural surrounding.
With the theory determining health deviation in time of ill health, the nurse cheeps in at the moment where an adult is not capable of providing both efficient and continuous care. Concerning application, Dorothea Orem’s self-care deficit theory requires the nurse to assess the patient and determine the needs and define the roles of both the parties before engaging in the care (McEwen & Wills, 2017). In the area of practice, this theory will be of the essence in the determination of nursing care needs of patients and use the nursing care plan to assist the patients in meeting their needs either partially or fully towards recovery.
Goals and objectives for the practicum experience
- a) To create a therapeutic relationship with the patient that will promote healing (Hutchinson et al., 2014). This will be done by getting committed to facilitate the healing process by empathizing with the patient.
- b) To carry out health education to the patient concerning their condition, treatment, and management as well as the prognosis. This move will allow patients to participate in their care.
- c) To monitor, detect and document significant changes in patient conditions (Levett-Jones et al., 2015).
- d) To take part in a skilled performance in life-threatening patient status.
- e) To administer and monitor the interventions and regimens meant for patients with various conditions.
- f) To form and maintain a therapeutic team to care for patients through the shift.
- g) To organize and lead a continuous medical training session within the facility concerning a health problem (Hinyard et al., 2017).
Timelines for the Practicum activities
| Time | Activity | Evaluation |
| 25 minutes | Health education to clients | |
| 40 minutes | Clinical teaching to staff members | |
| 7 hours | Caring for a patient while administering and monitoring the therapeutic interventions | |
| 6 hours | Duty allocation and leading the nursing team throughout a shift. | |
| 3 hours | Ordering supplies and drugs from the patients and for the unit. | |
| 8 hours | Use of electronic health records technology to record, retrieve and share information. | |
Summary
Nursing theories are essential due to the role they impart in nursing practice. By the use of Dorothea Orem’s theory of Self acre deficit, the needs of patients will be determined and taken care of. For the attainment of a better experience, the goals and objectives directed towards patient and unit management will be essential throughout the practicum.
References
Alligood, M. R. (2014). Nursing theorists and their work. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Berbigalia, V., & Banfield, B. (2014). Dorothea E. Orem: Self-Care Deficit Theory of Nursing.
Alligood, M. Ed.) Nursing theorists and their work, 240-281.
Hinyard, L., Pole, D., Toomey, E. C., & Bendaly, N. (2017). Journal of Interprofessional
Education & Practice.
Hutchinson, M., East, L., Stasa, H., & Jackson, D. (2014). Deriving consensus on the
characteristics of advanced practice nursing: meta-summary of more than 2 decades of
research. Nursing research, 63(2), 116-128.
Levett-Jones, T., Pitt, V., Courtney-Pratt, H., Harbrow, G., & Rossiter, R. (2015). What are the
primary concerns of nursing students as they prepare for and contemplate their first
clinical placement experience?. Nurse education in practice, 15(4), 304-309.
McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2017). Theoretical basis for nursing. Lippincott Williams &
Wilkins.
Smith, M. C., & Parker, M. E. (2015). Nursing theories and nursing practice. FA Davis.
