In modern nursing practice, there are many valid models and theories according to which care and professional relationships between the medical staff and patients are developed. Each approach has its unique features, as well as strong and weak sides. The choice of the Neuman systems model for analysis is explained by two major reasons: holistically centered care for patients and the recognition of health promotion conditions.
According to McEwen and Wills (2019), Neuman used several disciplines to develop her theory, including stress theory by Selye, general systems theory by Lazlo and von Bertalanffy, and wholeness in systems by Chardin and Cornu. The systems method in nursing offered by Neuman is a unique opportunity to study the connection between personal needs and stressors in the environment.
Personal Philosophy and Neuman Theory
As well as Neuman, I consider the importance of care as a whole process where internal and external factors are recognized. In the majority of cases, patients ask for help when they experience some particular problems (e.g., headaches, hypertension, strokes, or urinary tract infections). They mention their complaints, take several tests, and are diagnosed according to the standards of health care.
However, I believe that nursing care is not only about treatment and dealing with a disease. It covers a variety of living factors, and Neuman made an excellent attempt to combine all of them through the prism of stress and its effects on human health. I agree with this theorist that care should be flexible, and the interrelation between psychological, sociocultural, developmental, and other structures defines the patient and his or her needs.
Surprised Parts
After watching a video, it was interesting to admit that the creation of the theory was closely related to Neuman’s life and her nursing practice. Neuman was the daughter of a farmer and a midwife, and the necessity to take care of the people around turned out to be a critical part of her life. On the one hand, there was her mother, who demonstrated the power of commitment to her job and patients in need. On the other hand, her father died young (at the age of 36) because of sickness that required additional care and support. Neuman gave everything to her father to help him and stay compassionate. I was deeply surprised that personal challenges and losses did not scare a future theorist but encourage her to think about new ways to improve care and nurse-patient communication.
Recommendations
The chosen video about Neuman and her systems model can be recommended to other students who want to strengthen their understanding of the essence of nursing. In her approach, it is hard to concentrate on one point of the discussion. Nursing care does not have limits in its development, and such a wellness-illness continuum determines the level of professionalism that has to be inherent to all the medical workers. Neuman was the creator of a new way of thinking about nursing, and the decision to use several disciplines makes it applicable to various environments and people. This video is not only for teaching or analyzing Neuman’s success but a chance to find motivation and aspiration sources for novice and experienced nurses.
Conclusion
In general, the Neuman systems model proves that human health and nursing care should include the identification of various external (environmental) and internal (personal) variables. The value of this video lies in the possibility of explaining to students why it is necessary to study nursing theories and models. Neuman is not the only theorist, whose contributions influenced the quality of nursing care, but her knowledge and practice create a solid basis for holistic care in modern nursing.
Reference
McEwen M., & Wills, E. M. (2019). Theoretical basis for nursing (5th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health.