Research Paper on Nursing Fraternity: An Iconic Figure, Dorothea Orem

Introduction

Nursing fraternity is a demanding job that requires both physical and mental health. As a result, the demanding nature of the practice requires both inspiration and reflection of ideas that formulate the concrete framework in the nursing fraternity. Dorothea Orem, remains an iconic figure in the nursing fraternity, through the formulation and assessment of his theoretical approach that helped transform the nursing process. Today, she is widely regarded as the mother of modern nursing, Orem pioneered in the formulation and understanding between the demanding role of nurses, and the importance of patients collaborating to towards their healing process. As a result, this gave birth to the "self-care theory," which encourages patients to behave in a manner that may help them gain better and faster recovery. Through this, Orem's contribution to nursing has played a critical role in modern society.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

The Title and Responsibilities of Dorothea Orem

Orem's Self-Care theoretical approach defines nursing as a continuous act of assisting others in the management and provision of self-care that seeks to monitor or improve the lives of patients. This is done concerning care for patients back at home and any other healthcare facility that supports patients' care. Orem's extensive experience in the nursing domain has helped her earn different titles, such as a theorist and a leader. Through the approach defined by Orem, nurses are urged to focus on the well-being of the patients, as an ethical approach that helps in quicker recovery of patients.

Orem's Educational Background

The famous Dorothea Orem, a pioneer in nursing, begun her education journey at Providence Hospital School of Nursing in Washington, after graduating from Baltimore's Seaton High School in 1931. She received a nursing diploma from Providence Hospital. These skills ushered her in the world of nursing, where she encountered all nursing routine practices at an early age. However, she then enrolled for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Education, at the Catholic University of America, where she graduated in 1939 (Hjorth, et al., 2018). Her journey to the nursing world soon took a different course when she furthered her studies. She graduated back in 1945, with a Master's of Science in Nursing Education in 1945 (Allen, & Ojaghi, 2018), where she became more experienced with the operations of nursing, and the challenges they undergo. As a result, this gave her a better idea of fusing the difficulties experienced by nurses, and how they can use them, as a tool to improve the nursing field. As Landers, O'Regan, and Hegarty, (2018) observed that Orem received an honorary doctorate from Georgetown University in 1976, before earning the second one in 1980 from incarnate World Collage.

What Year Did Dorothea Orem Enter the Nursing Profession?

According to Allen, and Ojaghi, (2018), Dorothea Orem's journey in the nursing profession begun in 1931. This allowed her to join Providence Hospital School of Nursing in Washington. During her first year, she underwent a vigorous introduction to the nursing community and their role in the healthcare setup. This gave her knowledge that was later applied entirely in her career.

How Long Has Dorothea Orem Been in the Profession?

Shortly after Orem's graduating with a Masters in 1945, she dedicated her life in teaching, research, and administration, where she became a director of Providence School of Nursing in Detroit, Michigan, where she held the position between 1945 to 1949 (Hjorth, et al., 2018). Her skills and competency allowed her to shine on her path to success. Orem's role shortly changed between 1949 to 1957, when she landed a job with Indiana State Board of health. Her role was subjected in the Division of Hospital and Institutional Services (Allen, & Ojaghi, 2018). Her purpose now changed to improving the quality of nursing throughout the entire State. Her role during this period helped her to start developing her theory, through her experience in controlling and enhancing the nursing practice. In a nutshell, Orem's career may have served the community for more than thirty years.

What Organization(s) Is Dorothea Orem a Part?

Orem's career revolved through a series of organizations, both governmental and privet sector. Her impact in the nursing fraternity may have been widely impacted during 1949-1957 when she joined the Indian States Board of Health (Hjorth, et al., 2018). During this period, she was able to highly explore the opportunities that would help improve the nursing process. On the same token, her career soon took her back to the Catholic University of America in 1959, where she served as an assistant professor for more than five years. She later became an associate professor from 1964 to 1970 (Landers, et al., 2018).

What Contributions Has the Leader Made to the Nursing Profession?

Dorothea Orem is a common name amongst the nursing practitioners, not only because she worked as a nurse, but due to her magnificent theory she developed. Her name has become popularly regarded by many nurses, and doctors in improving their daily tasks. Between 1949 to 1957, Orem took the liberty of adjusting the nursing environment, through developing a theoretical approach that would later revolutionize the nursing practice (Hjorth, et al., 2018). Through assessing and evaluating different scenarios in the nursing field, she developed the "Self-Care theory," which has changed the way nurses approach nursing as a career.

Ways in Which the Nurse Pioneered in the Profession or Exemplified Extraordinary Leadership

Orem's ideas regarding the development and implementation of the self-care theory protruded during the role she played in the field of nursing. Her Understanding of nursing challenges was born during her positional role as a head of improving nursing practice across the state. Orem pioneered her theory by stating to think why people needed nursing, and what role did it play in the lives of patients. At first, when she entered the practice in 1930, the career was widely described as an ill-profession by many. However, her goal was to develop a framework that would improve the nursing profession. Through documenting and publishing her book "Concept of Practice," she pioneered in refining her theory that grew the relationship between nurses and the care they give to patients.

The Theory Ascribed to Orem

Self-Care theory is one of the nursing frameworks that was developed by Dorothea Orem as a tool of ensuring better self-care is attained. The approach, which is widely used in the medical practice, is ascribed to Orem, as a pioneer.

How Has Self-Care Theory Shaped Their Professional Practice?

Nurses have widely understood that, for better results from patients, it requires the collaboration of both the nurses, healthcare practitioners, and the patients as well. By applying Orem's theory, Nurses encourage patients to take great care of themselves as a way of helping to improve their condition.

Why Nurses Believe the Theoretical Concepts

According to Hjorth, et al., (2018) observation, nurses believe that patients who understand the importance of self-care provide quality results. Through this, nurses have developed the belief, supported by the theory, which helps them improve the patient's progress. In other words, nurses have developed a firm grip regarding the usefulness of this theoretical approach in their daily practices.

How Leader Use a Concept, Theory, Conceptual Framework, or Model Within Their Professional

Allen, and Ojaghi, (2018) observed that leaders have developed a strong belief regarding the use of theoretical approaches that are firm and proved. Through this, the use of Self-Care theory is widely encouraged by many leaders. This sets a belief of role model for junior workers. As a result, leaders extensively use the approach as a conceptual framework to improve the quality of services.

Conclusion

In the bottom line, the golden rule of self-care theory has shaped the nursing practice by providing a framework that guides nurses. This has improved the services provided by the nursing community. Never the less, patients are becoming more involved in their health care practices, which is aiding them to recover quickly.

References

Allen, M. L., & Ojaghi, M. (2018). Mind Over Matter: Educating Nursing Students on the Art and Skill of Mindfulness.doi:10755/623815

Hjorth, M., Sjoberg, D., Svanberg, A., Kaminsky, E., Langenskiold, S., & Rorsman, F. (2018). Nurse-led clinic for patients with liver cirrhosis-effects on health-related quality of life: study protocol of a pragmatic multicentre randomised controlled trial. BMJ open, 8(10), e023064.doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023064

Landers, M., O'Regan, P., & Hegarty, J. (2018). A theoretical framework to guide a study exploring cancer related fatigue.dio: 10.1016/j.apnr.2017.07.003