Olubiyi, S.KIbitoye, O.FOnasoga, O.AShaibu, E.OIbitoye, B.MNyamngee, A2023-01-062023-01-062019https://uilspace.unilorin.edu.ng/handle/20.500.12484/8183The necessity to care by theoretical thinking and scientific method is recognized by considering a method based on theory to guide our practice hence nursing theories have to be applied to practice. Nursing theory depends on its utility in caring and in the disciplinary development hence, the need to assess the nurses’ application of Dorothea Orem’s self-care theory towards the management of critically ill patients in the university of Ilorin teaching hospital, Ilorin, Kwara state. The research sought to assess the level of knowledge of nurses’ application of the theory as well as factors that influences the application of Orem’s theory towards management of chronically ill patients. A descriptive research design was used and a total sampling technique was employed to get the sample size of 105 respondents. Instrument for data collection was a self-structured questionnaire tested for validity and reliability through a pilot study with 0.778 using the Croabach Alpha method. The result revealed that nurses are knowledgeable about the theory, a major percentage of the nurses apply the theory to practice. Factors that affect the application of the theory were also identified. To ensure that holistic care is delivered at all levels of health care especially the tertiary, management should employ more nurses, make room for professional development programmes and trainings to update their knowledge periodically so as to care for patients living with chronic illnesses and enhance their quality of life, functional capacity, and personal and social welfareen-USApplicationCareNursing TheoryArticle