Nursing Theory Comparison
Jo Castro, Jennifer Shaver, Damiana Balas-Irimescu, Tami Maddocks
NUR/403 Theories and Models of Nursing Practice
October 20, 2014
Tricia Proctor

Nursing Theory Comparison
Nursing theory exists to provide nurses with a framework for practice. Merging the science of theory with the caring of people has become more than just a profession. It is an art. Nursing theorists have worked to develop thinking pathways, aligning themselves with nursing’s unique perspective, in order to holistically address the needs of patients. Using different theories will allow the nurse to examine patient scenarios from different points of view.
Orem’s framework focuses, largely, on the patient’s independence. Three theories exist within her framework. The most common one is known as the Self-Care-Deficit Nursing Theory (SCDNT). Self-care is a regulatory function involved in the promoting of life, health, development, and well-being. Deficits exist when the self-care demand exceeds the patient’s ability to meet it (Banfield, 2011). Neuman’s model, on the other hand, encourages the nurse to view the client as a system. Neuman’s proposed system is comprised of five variables that constantly interact with the environment. The variables include: physiological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental, and spiritual. The nurse must examine the five dimensions and identify stressors within them that could threaten the health of the patient. Interventions are focused on limiting the stressors to create a healing environment (Alligood, 2010). The Theory of Optimal Client and System Stability uses this five-variable-system in allowing the nurse and patient to adapt to stressors within the variables.
In order to illustrate the use of each theory, we will use the case study of Debbie, the 29-year-old woman recovering from surgery following a cervical