Global Perspective of a Nursing Theory - Essay Example

? NEUMAN’S THEORY Theories in the nursing field, just as within other disciplines have undergone through tremendous evolutionary stages to be as they are in the modern day context. It is worth noting that the formulation of theories in the nursing discipline goes through stages such as from initial concepts into conceptual frameworks, then models and the ultimate formulation of theories. However, formulated theories are never constant and they evolve because of research studies and innovations (Alligood, nd). This paper intends to analyze the evolutionary process of the Neuman’s systems model as applied within nursing field. It was a formulation, whose focus was on how individual human beings relate and identify with stress, and the subsequent reconstruction factors which according to Neuman, they are dynamic. Introduction According to the systems theory, human beings has particular influence in the normal energy resources, that get surrounded by varying lines of resistance; the flexible lines as well as the normal lines of defense (“Neuman systems model”, 2011) . Defense lines as postulated by the theory are the internal factors with which a patient is able to fight the possible causes of stress with the normal line referring to the common state of equilibrium of a person while the flexible line referring to dynamic nature of man where the defense system can very easily alter. Therefore, according to the theory, a practicing nurse has three distinct roles in management of the stress in patients through maintaining the defense system. A nurse is also required to maintain and strengthen the internal defense line through increasing resistance factors while at the same time reducing reactions in a patient. Moreover, the nurse is empowered to empower the patient to readapt and return to wellness after the treatment while at the same time guiding the patient against reconstitution or return of the stress. The formulation of the theory by Neumann had basic influences form other theoretical works by various other theorists. She first derived her motivation by philosophic writings by deChardin and Cornu concerning wholeness in system. General system theory by Bertalanfy and Lazlo, stress theory by Selye as well as Lararus writing on coping and stress are all great inspirations, which influenced the birth of the theory of systems by Neuman. It was based on many assumptions, which include that every individual client’s system is distinct and unique. There exist very many stressors, which are universal while other universally known while others are still unknown. Particular interrelationships by variables in a client determine the level of defense that a patient enjoys from a particular line of defense. Environmental factors are major influences to the evolution of the lines of defense as described previously. Lines of resistance explain the uniqueness of individual clients capacity to challenge and take defense against the stressors. Primary prevention strategies define the possible or the actual risk factors that are associated to individual client condition. The secondary factors provides the practitioner with direction to address the outcome of a particular treatment administered to a particular client in regard to stress. The tertiary level on the other hand explains reconstitution adjustive processes to be adopted for addressing the stress and factor causes. However, bottom line to the theory is that the client system is quite dynamic and involves constant exchange of energy between the client and the environment. A client system according to this theory is the depiction of the interplay of the internal and environmental factors as variables to individual person. Selection of a Nursing theory and reasons for selection The selection of this theory for discussion in this paper has been influenced by various factors. The theory has been in application in nursing discipline in the understanding that an individual client is a person as at the bottom line and then as a multidimensional structured individual. In the later, the theory understands a person to be comprising of various variables or subsystems that are psychological, physiological, social cultural, developmental as well as spiritual dimensions. Environment in this regard refers to the internal and external physical environment as well as the created environment, which is dependent on the client and is often developed unconsciously. According to Neuman, health is equated to wellness and a person moves into a state of death when the energy requirement is higher than the capacity available. Wellness on the other hand is realized in the event that more energy than required is produced. She also brings about the interaction of nursing as a discipline and the theory in that nursing concerns all the variable factors that influence personal reaction towards a stressor. A nurse is also the feature that has the capacity to address a client as a whole system concerning stress, which would have effects advanced to an individual person, family, community as well as a society. The theory therefore is acknowledged of having simple and straightforward approach to nursing as a discipline and the client as a system. It is thus a holistic, comprehensive and flexible of approaching nursing. It can be summarized as a theory that evaluates and acknowledges the response of an individual client as a system to the environmental stressors and then the application of various lines of defense to address the stress (“Nursing theories”, 2012). Theoretically based discussion on how the theory has evolved because of continued nursing research being conducted The theory as illustrated is a universally relevant theory which is open to creative interpretation and which has led to in depth application especially in research studies in nursing as a discipline, research, education as well as administration. It has been in use and will continue to be used in addressing unknown future health developments. The publication of the most recent work of the theorist in a book (5th edition in 2010) is a clear indication of the evolution and international acknowledgment of the theory and its usefulness in the health discipline. It has proved its usefulness in global perspective in application at interdisciplinary level. According to Glennister, Neuman has had great significance in the development of nursing theories because of her development of the systems/stress theory. He observes that the theory has received great evolution especially in influencing development of other theories of general systems in the discipline of nursing. He echoes that human beings represent compositions of various subsystems of developmental, physical, psychological, physiological as well as spiritual subsystems. It explains how self tries to defend himself from possible attack by external as well as internal stressors through definite lines of defense. Therefore, there is the distinct specialization of responsibility as defined by what a nurse is supposed to do and what a patient is to do in the process of mitigating stress. This has brought a new dimension in understanding the distinct roles that the two; patients and nurses play as compared to what was in previous theories (Glennister, nd). Betty Neuman’s stress theory has evolved to nursing of anesthesia as among many other nursing theories. The choice of Neuman and her theory has been explained by the fact of her good orientation with systems theory besides involvement in processes and outcomes. The theory has evolved to be acknowledged as the total person theorem, which holistically studies and explains the interaction of individual client and the inherent environmental forces. It is currently viewed as a systems theorem, which explains processes and outcomes. It is thus currently understood to revolve around stress, homeostasis as well as patent perceptions (Martin, 1996). In studying the management practices of diabetes mellitus through process-outcome approach, Perdue (2011), carried out the research on the effect of tailored management program to glycemic control as well as life quality to adult patients of diabetes mellitus. Therefore, this study relied on the model framework from the Neuman’s theory. The evolution to the theory as projected in this study was in the application of the theory in conceptual frameworks within research studies. This model as postulated through the study empowers the nursing fraternity in becoming proactive and empowered in order to support individuals within communities in management of stress perceptions and reactions and in the process improve well being and health. How the theory has developed in the international community and how it has influenced professional nursing practice worldwide The theory of Neuman has had great acknowledgement in influencing the creativity and technological innovation concerning how traditional health care in managing stress is being offered in the modern day. The clients (patients or consumers) have developed keen interest in knowledge and having their voices heard especially while addressing chronic health issues. Despite the wide acknowledgement that the theory has received across the globe in academic circles and in research, it has had great impact in the nursing practices especially in management of such conditions as anesthesia as well as in prevention of the condition of postoperative nausea (Chuites, 2004). It has equally been used in management practices in diabetes across the world. Most of these conditions are contributing factors to stress and which forms the basis on which the designing of the theory by Newman is based. The systems theory as developed and used by the theorist had basic conceptual framework in management of stress for the clients, which is associated for both internal and external factors. The internal factors are the inherent factors such as the disease conditions and as such, management of the stress resultant is best addressed from the perspective of treating the disease first. On the other hand, environmental factors such as would cause the diseases are blamed on causing the stress that is externally influenced. In this regard in addition, management of the stress by practicing nurses and the clients designing and application of lines of defense that span from appreciating these causative factors. Conclusion In sum, theorist Betty Neuman is globally acknowledged as one of the most dynamic contributors to the nursing model based theories in the nineteenth century. She developed the conceptual framework through which the particular roles of nurses and the patients are defined concerning the management of stress. She derived her inspiration from various other works of philosophy, which had the inclination to understanding stress and the management. The client is depicted as a system, which comprises of psychological, physiological, social cultural, developmental as well as spiritual dimensions. In sum, the study reveals that Newman’s work in nursing has had great impact towards the universal discipline of nursing. Having great foundation in other theorists works, the theory of stress as developed by her have undergone great evolution over time and is most celebrated in changes notable in nursing research, education and curriculum development among other areas. It has continuously over years through other research studies as shown to have become a constituent in management of stress resultant from many diseases as well as other factors. Besides, much research continues to be conducted through the framework of this theory. It has caught the attention of global nursing practices and has been much influential in defining professional practices and code of conduct for practicing nurses across the globe. References Alligood M. R., (nd). Introduction to Nursing Theory: Its History, Significance, and Analysis. Retrieved from < http://www.elsevieradvantage.com/samplechapters/9780323091947/AlligoodCh1-9780323091947.pdf> Chuites S., (2004). Prevention of postoperative nausea. Retrieved from < http://etd.lib.fsu.edu/theses/available/etd-11152004-164446/unrestricted/slc_thesis.pdf> Glennister D., (nd). Towards a general systems theory of nursing: a literature Review. Retrieved from < http://journals.isss.org/index.php/proceedings55th/article/viewFile/1717/569> Martin S. A., (1996). Applying nursing theory to the practice of nurse anesthesia. Retrieved from < http://www.aana.com/newsandjournal/Documents/applying_0896_p369.pdf> “Nursing theories”, (2012). Betty Neuman's System Model. Retrieved from < http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/Neuman.html> “Neuman systems model”, (2011). 2011 Symposium. Retrieved from < http://www.neumansystemsmodel.org/> Perdue D., (2011). Effect of diabetes management program on glycemic control and quality of life in adults. Retrieved from < http://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/bitstream/123456789/194826/1/PerdueD_2011-2_BODY.pdf> Read More