Humanistic Nursing Theory Overview

Humanistic Nursing Theory

• Founded by Josephine G. Paterson and Loretta T. Zderad.
• Focuses on the nurse's ability to connect with patients on a personal level, as well as a medical and scientific level.
• Key principles include Humanism, Existentialism, and Nursing Dialogue.

Humanism

• Aims to understand individuals within the context of their experiences.

Existentialism

• A philosophical approach that emphasizes individual free will, self-determination, and responsibility.
• Focuses on the importance of the individual's lived experiences.

Nursing Dialogue

• A collaborative process where the nurse presents themself as a helper, ready to listen to and understand the patient's feelings.
• Openness is crucial for successful nursing dialogue.

Humanistic Nursing Core Concepts

• All-at-once: Each person is unique while also sharing common human traits.
• Gestalt: Nurses and patients each possess their own unique 'wholeness' or sense of self.
• Experience and education: Nurses should be aware of their own experiences and education, and also consider the patient's perspectives.

Assumptions of Humanistic Nursing Theory

• Each person is unique and all experiences are different.
• Nursing care should strive for wholeness, acknowledging the differences and similarities in 'gestalts' between the nurse and patient.

Metaparadigm Concepts

• Person: Viewed as an 'open energy field' with unique experiences. They are more than the sum of their parts and cannot be predicted.
• Health: Not simply the absence of disease, but a resource for individuals to reach their full potential.
• Environment: The time and space where nursing experiences occur, including both the physical space and the societal environment.
• Nursing: A lived experience between nurse and patient, characterized by dialogue and a helping relationship.

The Five Phases of the Nursing Process

• Preparation of the Nurse: The nurse acts as an open-minded investigator willing to take risks and learn.
• Nurse Knowing the Other Intuitively: The nurse attempts to understand the patient through a 'I-thou' relationship, where the nurse focuses on the patient's unique needs.
• Nurse Knowing the Other Scientifically: The nurse observes and analyzes the patient, using reasoning and logic to understand their condition.
• Nurse Complementarily Synthesizing Known Others: The nurse uses their knowledge to develop a plan of care and address any challenges.
• Succession within the Nurse from the Many to the Paradoxical One: The nurse applies their knowledge in the clinical setting, working towards resolution of the patient's challenges.

Explore the key principles of Humanistic Nursing Theory developed by Josephine G. Paterson and Loretta T. Zderad. This quiz focuses on the integration of humanism, existentialism, and the importance of nursing dialogue in patient care. Test your understanding of how these concepts apply to nursing practice.