Lecture 1 - Introduction to Family Nursing

What are some ways to describe what a family is?

- Social construct

- Relationship

- Contextual

- Culturally dependent

- Pluralistic

- Legally/politically/economically defined

What is a nuclear family?

A family unit consisting of two parents and their children.

What is a nuclear dyad family?

A family unit consisting of two individuals, typically a couple without children.

What is a dual career family?

A family where both partners are engaged in professional careers.

What is a multigenerational family?

A family structure that includes multiple generations living together.

What is a polyamorous family?

A family structure involving multiple romantic partners in a consensual relationship.

What is an extended family?

A family that extends beyond the nuclear family to include other relatives.

What is a single-parent family?

A family headed by a single parent raising one or more children.

What is a blended family?

A family formed by merging two previously separate families, often due to remarriage.

What is a communal family?

A family structure where multiple families or individuals share living space and resources.

What is a step-family?

A family formed when one or both partners in a relationship have children from previous relationships.

What is an LGBTQIA2+ family?

A family structure that includes members of the LGBTQIA2+ community.

What is a foster family?

A family that provides temporary care for children who are unable to live with their biological families.

What is family dynamics?

The patterns of interactions and relationships among family members.

What is praxis?

Doing/Activity.

How does the Vanier Institute define family?

Any combination of two or more persons who are bound together over time by mutual consent, birth and/or adoption, and who together assume various responsibilities.

What is interpersonal violence?

Abuse or violence that occurs within personal relationships.

What is a functional definition of family?

A group of individuals who are bound by strong emotional ties, a sense of belonging, and a passion for being involved in one another's lives.

The family is . . .

Who they say they are.

3 multiple choice options

What are the key characteristics of a family?

- The family is a system or unit.

- Its members may or may not be related and/or living together

- The unit may or may not contain children

- There are commitments and attachments among unit members that include future obligations

- The unit caregiving functions consist of protection, nourishment, and socialization of its members.

What is family health?

A dynamic changing state of well-being that includes the biological, psychological, spiritual, sociological, and cultural factors of individuals and members of a family.

What are traits of 'healthy' families?

- Share leisure time

- Communicates and listens

- Fosters table time and conversation

- Exhibits a sense of shared responsibility

- Affirms and supports one another

- Teaches a sense of right and wrong

- Abounds in rituals and traditions

- Fosters and teaches respect for others.

What is family nursing?

Active collaboration with both individuals and the family unit to support optimal levels of health and well-being.

How do nurses help families?

- Assessing family meanings of health

- Determining family strengths and capabilities

- Educating families about health and healthy living

- Facilitating use of health resources

- Fostering active involvement of families in healthy communities

What is family health care nursing?

The process of providing for the health care needs of families that are within the scope of nursing practice.

What are 4 ways to view family?

- Family as a context

- Family unit as client/patient

- Family systems nursing

- Family groups in society

How is family viewed as context?

Nursing care focuses on the individual as client, and the family as the context of the individual, which can be a stressor or resource.

How is family viewed as client/patient?

Members are assessed separately.

How are families viewed as a system?

The family is the client.

How are families viewed as groups in society?

Families are a subsystem of larger systems in the community/society..

How do generalists approach families?

As a context.

How do specialists approach families?

As a unit.

What is family systems nursing?

A framework that integrates nursing, systems, cybernetics, change, and family therapy theories and focuses interventions simultaneously on the family and the individual systems.

What are family nursing interventions?

Actions based on clinical judgment and knowledge that are used when nurses work with families; they focus on changing the cognitive, affective, or behavioural domains of family functioning.