Marget Newman’s Theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness
more profound understanding of themselves and the other within the vast, universal
environment that is the field of all possibilities. Newman described the nurse-client
relationship as a mutual engagement for the purpose of discovering the unfolding patterns
that influence the client’s health (Newman, 1994; Pharris, 2010). It is imperative that the
APRN be completely present and non-judgmental as the client reveals personal information
(Newman, 1994; Pharris, 2010).
• From a unitary-transformative perspective (Cowling & Chinn, 2001), clients who are facing
health crises and who are seeking the assistance of healthcare professionals are recognized
as demonstrating readiness to some degree, to move through a process of transformation
(Pharris, 2010). It is at a point of chaos in a client’s life when the APRN’s actions professed
in the theory of health as expanding consciousness are most helpful to the client (Pharris,
2010). The intention of nursing practice is to assist the client to achieve a level of self-
awareness and self-reliance whereby the client, at some point in time, may continue the
wellness journey independent of the clinician (Pharris, 2010). Newman’s theory could be
used effectively in busy, physical-health focused environments such as the ED. The APRN,
while attending to clients’ physical needs, could simultaneously explore what was
meaningful to the patient in their everyday life and what concerned the patient about their
current experiences. In taking this approach, the APRN can connect with the patient on a
deeper level, noting patterns that emerge as patients relate their personal stories. More
importantly, the patients’ true needs are identified and the APRN is able to serve the
individuals more effectively.
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