Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory One of the most exciting things about nursing is that it is always changing. One of the frustrating things about nursing is that it is always changing. Nursing theory is no different. Theories are continually being updated and revised as worldviews and healthcare itself changes (McEwen & Wills, 2014). Dorothea Orem’s self-care deficit nursing theory is one such nursing theory that has been reworked to take into account the changes in our world, while still maintaining the initial framework (Taylor & Renpenning, 2011). Purpose of Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory Dorothea Orem (as cited in Taylor & Renpenning, 2011) described her purpose in formalizing the Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory as a way of defining the structure of nursing and explaining knowledge, rules and roles of nursing. Orem was attempting to answer the question of why, when and how a nurse is needed in the care of a patient (Smith & Parker, 2015). According to Younas (2017), self-care deficit nursing theory is also a practical effort to delineate the patient role along with that of the nurse. The purpose of this theory, being to define both nurse and patient roles and nursing as a profession, is seen as a strength of the self-care deficit nursing theory. Level of Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory A grand theory is defined as one that is relatively broad and complicated (McEwen & Wills, 2014). Dorothea Orem’s self-care deficit nursing theory fits this definition of