Nursing Theories: Concept Comparison and Analysis Across Theories

 

 

Introduction

Nursing theories represent concepts and models that guide the nursing practice. The field of nursing has numerous theorists. Most of them attempt to advance and promote comprehensive care for the patients. Classical theories laid the foundation for contemporary theories and models. However, there has been a shift in theoretical framework that guides modern nursing practice. Such theorists as Florence Nightingale have been pivotal in converging different aspects of the nursing practice. This paper seeks to compare Rosemary Parse’s theory of human becoming with Jean Watson’s model of Science and Philosophy of caring. The rationale is that the two theories share a number of concepts although they vary at some extend. In addition, they represent contemporary nursing theories.

 

Comparison of the theories

Human becoming theory shares numerous concepts with the theory of science and philosophy of caring. Its major proponent articulates that the theory considers human beings in totality and appreciates that many factors influence people (Taylor & Lillis, 2001). Some of these factors include biological, psychological and emotional aspects of a person. Besides, the theory proposes that human being is a unitary being that continuously interacts with the environment. Parse shifts from the initial theory referred to as Man-Living Health theory that highlighted the importance of environment on individuals (Julia, 2003).

Similarly, Watson articulates that caring is a process that considers many factors that influence human health. Indeed, it involves taking a humanistic approach towards patients and serving them in a humane way. As such, Watson’s model emphasizes on caring for patients through demonstration. In other words, theory asserts that the aspect of caring is the focal point of nursing whereby the nurses ought to identify curative factors and appreciate that caring in itself promotes growth. Besides, nurses should provide a caring environment that accepts people regardless of their race, gender, nationality and ethnic belonging (Julia, 2003). This involves the nurses’ ability to cultivate trust, hope and faith in the patient. The patients therefore feel assisted in an appropriate way and are inclined to cooperate throughout the process. As such, caring ought to take precedence in the nursing practice because it promotes preventive care and reduces curative care. In addition, it increases satisfaction among the nurses and the patients.

On the one hand, the conceptual model of human becoming theory considers various principles that guide the definition of nursing practice. The principle of meaning explicates that the reality of human being is shaped by experiences. As such, man interacts with the environment through a symbiotic relation. Both stand to gain from meaningful interaction since such experiences are fundamental in shaping the society and making future decisions. Parse’s propositions therefore consider that man and environment communicate between each other in a complex and intricate way (Barnum, 1998). Consequently, meaning emanates from the interaction of the two. Man and the environment produce images, values and language, and Parse refers to it as ‘rhythmicity’. Parse’s theory therefore assists the nurses to gain an understanding of their patients from all perspectives.

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Another central principle of this the theory is co-transcendence. It refers to the ability of the nurses to reach out to patients and go beyond their initial standpoints. As such, the nature of nursing practice should entail transformation and flexibility in search for factors that may have led to ailments of patients. In this line, Parse explicates that a person is a dynamic and open being who differs from the rest of human beings. It is through environment that they experience and acquire knowledge. According to Parse, environment refers to everything that makes up a human being, as well as his/her experiences. In addition to their intricacies with human beings, environment complements the lives of human beings and they cannot be separated (Alligood & Tomey, 2002).

By understanding the concepts, Parse believes that health is a process that ought to focus on the ‘being’ and combine human values to yield meaning. As such, nursing practice should replicate human sciences through provision of skills that uses abstraction of knowledge to provide care and serve men. Therefore, the nature of nursing practice should be based on the ability of a nurse to exercise th

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