Orem's general theory of nursing and community nursing

The purpose of this article is to examine the way in which theoretical concepts of community articulate with Orem's theory. Philosophical and theoretical perspectives of community are presented as the basis for developing a model for community nursing. The development of nursing theory and science related to the concept of community proceeds from an understanding of community and its articulations with nursing. Three basic models of community are identified and described: (a) atomistic/contractarian, (b) organic/functional, and (c) mutual/personal. Orem's theory can be legitimately viewed as having meaning for nursing when the community is viewed from any of the three models. It is not limited to the use of "aggregate" models. The distinction comes in the view of community consistent with the underlying philosophical view of the nature of person expressed or inherent in the nursing theory. A general model for the community as a unit of service, congruent with Orem's theory, is presented.