Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) Practice Exam 2026 – All-in-One Study Resource for Exam Success!

The focus on self-care in nursing theory is most closely associated with Dorothy Orem. Her Self-Care Deficit Theory emphasizes the individual's ability to perform self-care activities to maintain health and well-being. Orem proposed that nursing is needed when individuals cannot meet their own self-care needs, which creates a "self-care deficit." This theory highlights the importance of empowering patients to take an active role in their own health, which is a foundational concept in nursing practice.

Orem’s framework outlines the components of self-care, self-care deficit, and nursing systems, providing a comprehensive approach for nurses to support patients in achieving optimal health through self-management. Her influence has been pivotal in educating nurses about the significance of self-care and its role in patient independence and recovery.