Nurses in advanced roles have increased responsibility and accountability for their practice. Therefore, it is imperative that these nurses have a solid understanding of how to evaluate nursing theories for their appropriateness and utility.
Pick a nursing theory that you may use in your future role (Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner). Briefly describe the theory and then pick three (3) evaluation criteria questions from the following list and use them to evaluate your chosen theory.
Is the purpose of the theory clearly identified? What is it?
Are the major assumptions explained? What are they?
Are the major concepts clearly defined? What are they?
Are the major relational statements (propositions) clear? What are they?
Has the theory been tested? How?
Has the theory been used in nursing practice, education or leadership? How?
Sample Solution
hosen Theory: Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory
Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory is a nursing theory that focuses on the patient’s ability to care for themselves and how the nurse can help support the patient in this process. It states that people have self-care agency, which is their knowledge, skills, and resources necessary for health maintenance. The nurse aids in restoring the self-care agency by providing education, guidance, role modeling, emotional support, and other interventions when needed.
Evaluation Criteria Questions:
1) How well does this theory reflect a holistic view of nursing?
2) Is it applicable across various settings (hospital, home healthcare)?
3) Does it provide nurses with an understanding of how they can promote autonomy among patients?