Theorist Critique: Betty Neuman Nursing Theory
1. Discussion on Betty Neuman nursing theory
As the research that follows shows, Betty Neuman believed the nursing process should address the whole person and all facets impacting health. In sum, Neumans theory promotes patient-centered care, looking beyond singular issues to identify potential underlying causes that adversely affect wellbeing across the interconnected aspects of life. The Neuman Systems Model developed by this theorist continues to guide nursing practice and research globally by offering an expansive perspective for assessment, intervention planning, implementation, and evaluation, an outcome that directly relates to the purpose and importance of nursing theories in general as discussed further below.
2. Explore the purpose and importance of nursing theory, to discuss a nursing theory of their choice, and to discuss the application of the theory to practice.
Generally speaking, nursing theory provides an essential framework to guide nursing practice, education, and research. The primary purpose of any nursing theory is to conceptualize the overarching goals, responsibilities, and focus of nurses in delivering high quality patient care, while also offering an organizing structure for generating new knowledge to continually improve outcomes. In this regard, Keles and Eroglu (2024) report that, The application of theory in [nursing] care can be chosen by nurses as it improves patient outcomes. Furthermore, the use of theories in research to develop nursing knowledge will benefit nursing science while increasing professional autonomy (p. 11).
Likewise, nursing theories establish useful models for developing effective interventions, quantifying results, and replicating best practices through ongoing research. In addition, the core nursing theories developed over the years also serve as a means to articulating the various philosophical, ethical foundations of the nursing professions commitments to the provision of patient-centered care (Ortiz, 2021).
In addition, nursing theories help identify and explain the unique roles nurses play in virtually all types of healthcare environments, clarifying responsibilities and specialization opportunities compared to other clinical roles. By applying nursing theory concepts directly to practice, nurses can gain insights to inform and enhance their critical thinking skills, clinical judgment, and decision justification around evidence-based care tailored to each patients needs. The use of theory helps unify nurses under coherent paradigms for what constitutes ideal care while creating opportunities to innovate, measure impact, expand knowledge, and standardize best practices (Ortiz, 2021). In addition, citing the work by Smith and Parker (2015), Kongsuwan (2020) concludes that, Theory is necessary to science and science grounds legitimate and essential practice. This is true for nursing as a discipline of knowledge and a practicing profession (p. 37).
3. Identify a theory/theorist of your choice, discuss the theory, and provide some background information about the theorist.
Born in 1924, Betty Neuman was a prominent nursing theorist and educator who is best known today for creating the Neuman Systems Model or NSM. This conceptual framework views patients holistically across physiological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental, and spiritual dimensions, emphasizing how stress can impact overall health (Verberk & Fawcett, 2017). As the research that follows shows, the NSM remains a highly influential nursing theory today and for good reason.
The model developed by Neuman provides nursing practitioners with a comprehensive approach to nursing care based on a basic structure of variables that comprise an overall client system. These variables include normal and flexible lines of defense against stressors, with nurses serving a key role in primary, secondary, and tertiary interventions to attain optimal wellness through reducing risk factors (Montano, 2021). For instance, according to Montano (2021), The Neuman Systems Model was developed to create a structure to depict nursing clients as complex systems, in constant energy exchange with their environments, comprised of multiple interrelated parts. It...
…chosen theory can be applied in nursing practiceOne of the major strengths of Neumans holistic view of the patient is its ability to shape comprehensive nursing assessments that gather data across physiological, emotional, sociocultural, spiritual, and developmental domains to provide nurses with fresh insights concerning on all factors impacting health and wellness that might not be available otherwise. Likewise, Neumans theoretical model helps nurses identify current or potential stressors such as lack of social support, financial hardship, or physical disability that may diminish normal defenses and require targeted interventions. Skilled nursing facilities could leverage the Neuman framework to design rehabilitation programs addressing the whole patient through exercise, counseling, community integration efforts and spiritual practices.
In addition, school nurses could apply Neumans core theoretical concepts to structure health education reducing risk behaviors and build resilient lines of defense among adolescents susceptible to peer pressures and self-esteem issues. Public health nurses could also apply Neumans interrelated levels of prevention to create populatio-based initiatives promoting stress management, nutrition, suicide prevention and substance abuse care. Across all types of nursing contexts, Neumans systems approach facilitates the application of holistic, patient-centered to nursing practice.
Conclusion
The research showed that Betty Neumans Systems Model offers an invaluable, forward-looking theoretical framework for nursing practice centered around a holistic vision of the patient. By conceptualizing individuals as complex systems vulnerable to stressors yet also resilient, Neumans theory promotes comprehensive assessments, tailored interventions and dynamic care plans responsive to changes over time. Likewise, the multidimensional view of health conceptualized by the NSM provide timely and useful guidance across various nursing settings from rehabilitation contexts to community health initiatives and school nursing through its prevention orientation and attention to environmental influences. In the final analysis, the Neuman Systems Model reflects nursings highest aims to heal and comfort through caring for the whole person within…
References
Iduye, S. (2022, December). Application of Fawcett’s Criteria in Theory Evaluation. Nursing Science Quarterly, 36(1), 58-63.
Keles, M. N., & Ero?lu, K. (2024). The use of theory or model in studies on postpartum care: A narrative review. International Journal of Nursing Knowledge, 35(1), 21–31.
Kongsuwan, W. (2020, July 13). Development of the Emergent Theory of Aesthetic Nursing Practice (AesNURP). Health, 12(7), 37-41.
Montano, A.-R. (2021). Neuman Systems Model with Nurse-Led Interprofessional Collaborative Practice. Nursing Science Quarterly, 34(1), 45–53.
Ortiz, M. R. (2021). Best Practices in Patient-Centered Care: Nursing Theory Reflections. Nursing Science Quarterly, 34(3), 322–327.
Reed, P. G. (2022). Midrange Theory Evaluation to Advance Nursing Knowledge. Nursing Science Quarterly, 35(3), 315–320.
Smith M. C., Parker M. E. (2015). Nursing theories and nursing practices (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: FA Davis.
Verberk, F., & Fawcett, J. (2017). Thoughts About Created Environment: A Neuman Systems Model Concept. Nursing Science Quarterly, 30(2), 179–181.
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