The ability to be independent as an individual can be valuable in numerous ways. The characteristic of independence promotes motivation, individual goal-setting, self-fulfillment, as well as gaining more knowledge. This characteristic becomes more important as people become older and this is particularly evident in healthcare. In the fall 2016 semester, I took Evolution of Nursing Science (NURS 212) with Professor Leigh Pate. This class involved ethics, nursing history, and theories to apply to modern nursing practice.  In this class, we learned about the Orem Self-Care Theory. This theory is applicable to patients that can physically control their typical health habits. Patients should pursue taking care of themselves beyond the assistance of a healthcare provider.

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Holistic mindsets, goal-setting, and desire to be more self-supportive all coincide with patients who are treated based on the Self-Care concept. This can lead to better individual goals and completion of them. For example, if a patient has come to the realization that their eating habits are extremely unhealthy, with guidance they can control their consumption. With instruction from a health provider, the patient can apply what they have learned to utilize healthier alternatives to make themselves feel better. This can be completed without allowing another health hazard cause them to return to the healthcare providers. After a hospital stay, a patient may want to change their habits and make it more of their obligation to help themselves continuously. The overriding goal is to still assist others as a healthcare provider, but allowing guidance to help patients make those independent decisions is critical.

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The trait of independence is connected to my beyond the class experience which was with the nursing program on campus. Dr. Courtney Catledge began a research study that involved young adolescents who perform in the middle school band. The idea was to measure lung capacity using a spirometer and record multiple data collections over a period of time. The purpose was to determine if playing wind instruments would improve their breath exertion measurements and potential improvement with asthmatic symptoms. Independence can play a role for the student subjects who participated in these experiments. With proper instruction and explanation of the findings of this study, the students (with parental consultation) may want to pursue playing band to help their health. The Self-Care theory can be directly applied to the student’s willingness to pursue better health outcomes.

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The research I participated in with Dr. Catledge can demonstrate independence from a distinct perspective. As a research assistant, I could work independently (after the instructions were provided) to perform my role in the research study. There are two sides to this concept. One side from the research assistant (me) and one side from the student as the participant. The students can illustrate independence by potentially deciding to be a participant in the experiment, or even deciding to be in band if results showed promise to their health. As an instructor or assistant, having independence can make me more confident and comfortable in my abilities. This can further lead to my instructions to the participants becoming more successful rather than feeling pressured by the principal investigator of the experiment. I feel I should apply my knowledge and identify some of the effective ways to instruct and assist the participants on my own. 

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I had another opportunity to apply the theory of Self-Care beyond the classroom. I presented with another student to the Access Grant recipients, which were the older adults who attend the gym on campus. This grant provides reduced/free memberships to the Gregory Center for community members that qualify. Part of their membership includes health information sessions. Our role was to discuss cardiac health with the members that attended the session. More specifically, we discussed the benefits of a healthy diet and exercise. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and that it can be prevented through a healthier lifestyle. It is important that adults recognize that they have control over how they treat their heart based on their lifestyle. Once the adults have this knowledge, they have to realize that all of their health and dietary goals begin with their own strong, independent effort.

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