Theory concepts and applications

Nursing Theory Comparison Human Becoming and Symphonological Bioethical Theory

Comparing Nursing Theories

Human Becoming is a theory that was first created by Rosemarie Rizzo Parse. This theory also takes a holistic approach in the idea that it "guides nurses in their practice to focus on quality of life as it is described and lived" by the unique patients they encounter (Parse, 2011). The theory itself is an alternative option for nurses, one that combines the more traditional bio-medical approach with that of a more holistic bio-psycho-social-spiritual one. From this perspective, the theory posits that one individual's image of quality of life is much different than another's. As such, the nurse should not try to improve an individual's quality of life simply from a generic, one size fits all kind of stand point. Instead, the nurse should evaluate the unique image of that individual's quality of life and incorporate that image somehow into the care strategies that address other elements of the person's illness of condition. The theory builds off of other nursing sciences that take into account a more objective approach to generating more tailored care strategies. Yet, the theory also branches off of some philosophical teachings in regards to the concept of the individual. Thus, "the assumptions underpinning the theory were synthesized from works by the European philosophers Heidegger, Sartre, and Merleau-Ponty," (Parse, 2011). The general assumptions of the theory is that the human being is supposed to be in a delicate balance with the universe. They are constantly relating and "is open, freely choosing meaning in situation, bearing responsibility for those choices" (Parse, 2011). Becoming is the general balance that the individual tries to make the right decisions to achieve. It is the human's emerging, and thus plays a role in how healthcare should augment those decisions. Nursing aims to help humans transcend into that state of ryhtmicity that is so desirable. In this, it incorporates more abstract knowledge and ideas within a scientific model of nursing.

Then, there is the Symphonological Bioethical Theory, associated with Gladys and James Husted. This is a theory which aims to interweave the concept of ethics into a modern healthcare approach. According to the research, it "is defined as a practice-based ethic that is patient centered, It is an individualistic ethic that unites the reason why a decision is made with the action itself and the foreseeable consequences of that action," (Brown, 2010). In this the theory also shares with Parse's theory the importance of individual decision making and choices. One of the main differences is the notion of how we relate to one another. We have a freedom from aggression, known as negative right, based on this relationship, where we are not scared of others acting out irrationally against us. As such, the health care professionals do not act to harm the patients, but the patients also have the strict role of being the patients, thus "to fulfill his responsibilities in the treatment plan and not to place any unreasonable demands on the healthcare professional" (Brown, 2010). This is different from the first theory explained. Much in contrast to the Human Becoming theory, this theory believes that there is "an agreement that exists between all rational beings" (Brown, 2010). In this agreement, there wiggle room for relativity, as seen in Parse's theory. The nurse is supposed to use better judgment based on a patient-centered model that changes from one individual to another.