Dorothea Orem

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Dorothea Orem (1914–2007) was an American nursing theorist and founder of the Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory (SCDNT), which is also known as the Orem Model of Nursing. Her work has significantly influenced the field of nursing and the way nurses approach patient care.

Early Life and Education

Dorothea Elizabeth Orem was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1914. She received her diploma in nursing from the Providence Hospital School of Nursing in Washington, D.C. in 1934. She later earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Education in 1939 and a Master of Science in Nursing Education in 1945, both from The Catholic University of America.

Career

Orem's career spanned various roles, including staff nurse, private duty nurse, nurse educator, and administrator. She worked in hospitals and academic settings, contributing to the development of nursing education programs. Her most notable position was as a faculty member at the Catholic University of America, where she developed her nursing theory.

Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory (SCDNT)

The Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory is a grand nursing theory that focuses on the individual's ability to perform self-care. According to Orem, nursing is required when an individual is unable to meet their self-care needs. The theory is composed of three interrelated theories:

• **Theory of Self-Care:** Describes how and why people care for themselves.
• **Theory of Self-Care Deficit:** Explains when nursing is needed.
• **Theory of Nursing Systems:** Describes how the patient's self-care needs will be met by the nurse, the patient, or both.

Major Works

Orem authored several books and articles on nursing theory, including:

• Nursing: Concepts of Practice (1971)
• Guides for Developing Curricula for the Education of Practical Nurses (1959)

Legacy

Dorothea Orem's contributions to nursing have been widely recognized. Her Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory is taught in nursing programs around the world and continues to influence nursing practice and research. She received numerous awards and honors for her work, including honorary doctorates from several universities.

See Also

• Nursing theory
• Florence Nightingale
• Virginia Henderson
• Imogene King
• Betty Neuman