ROGERS

Grand Nursing Theories Based on Unitary Process

1. The Science of Unitary Human Beings by Martha E. Rogers

  • Core Belief: Humans cannot be separated from their environment when considering health and treatment.

  • Theory Overview: Known as the Science of Unitary Human Beings (SUHB), this theory posits that nursing is both a science and an art, integrating understanding of unitary human beings with the universe.

  • Nursing Dimensions:

    • Science of Nursing: Knowledge derived from scientific research specific to nursing.

    • Art of Nursing: Creative application of nursing science to enhance patient care.

  • Subconcepts in Rogers' Theory:

    1. Energy Field: Fundamental unit encompassing both living and non-living elements.

    2. Openness: No boundaries restrict energy flow between human and environmental fields.

    3. Pandimensionality: Infinite non-linear domain lacking spatial or temporal restrictions.

    4. Synergy: Unique behaviors of systems not predictable by examining individual components.

2. Key Concepts of Rogers' Theory

2.1 Energy Field

  • Viewed as wholes, energy fields vary in intensity, density, and extent.

2.2 Openness

  • Characterizes human beings and their environment as open systems allowing free energy flow.

2.3 Pattern

  • Unique characteristics of energy fields seen as a wave; helps in identifying and sharing knowledge, choices, and evaluations, fostering empowerment and self-reflection for patients.

3. Principles of Homeodynamics

  • Definition: A dynamic perspective of homeostasis involving continuous change influenced by human-environment interaction.

  • Principles:

    1. Resonancy: Nature of change through rhythmic vibrations between human and environmental fields.

    2. Helicy: Open system facilitating constant innovation and complexity in human development.

    3. Integrality: Continuous interaction between human and environmental fields, illustrated through examples (e.g., interactions with the sun).

4. Metaparadigm of Rogers’ Nursing Theory

  1. Human: Defined as a unitary energy field manifesting unique characteristics unrelated to its parts.

  2. Health: An expression of life processes resulting from interactions between human and environmental fields across a continuum.

  3. Nursing: An art and science focused on humanitarian interests, guiding human development through change.

  4. Environment: An integral aspect of the irreducible energy field affecting the unitary human being.

5. Humanbecoming by Rosemarie Rizzo Parse

  • Concept: Focuses on quality of life as lived by individuals, combining human and becoming into a singular concept.

  • Core Principles:

    • Meaning: Individuals create personal meanings from their experiences leading to health patterns.

    • Rhythmicity: Co-creation of patterns of relating with the universe, integrating knowledge and beliefs through interactions.

    • Transcendence: The human ability to move beyond set limits and embrace change.

  • Nursing Role: Nurses guide and co-create health patterns based on individuals' perspectives rather than merely fixing problems.

6. Key Assumptions in Parse's Theory

  • Human Being: Coexists with the universe, engaging in continual processes of meaning-making and pattern creation.

  • Health: Described as a dynamic evolving process, emphasizing personal commitment and relationship-based growth.

7. Health as Expanding Consciousness by Margaret Newman

  • Concept: Focuses on the totality of health as a manifestation of patterns within the human experience, not limited to the absence of disease.

  • Key Assumptions:

    • Illness is an expression of individual patterns prior to functional changes.

    • Health encompasses all conditions and emerges through expanding consciousness in relation to the environment.

  • Nursing Metaparadigm:

    • Nursing facilitates pattern recognition in the evolving consciousness of individuals, aiding in personal growth toward higher consciousness.